The purpose of this instruction is to provide guidelines for the location and inspection of fire extinguishers on a project site and / or in a building.
Project HSE officer is overall responsible for the implementation of this standard HSE procedure.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of each department head to ensure that areas and equipment under his or her jurisdiction have the necessary fire extinguishers; they are conspicuously marked, and maintained in a fire-ready condition.
It is the responsibility of the HSE / Logistics to ensure that extinguishers are inspected, repaired and provide fire extinguishers for the respective departments and to make recommendations as to where fire extinguishers are required.
When a fire extinguisher has been issued to a supervision and is discharged or damaged for any reason, a written report must be submitted to the HSE department by the supervisor in charge.
The discharged or damaged extinguisher must accompany the written report.
Fire extinguishers should be recharged or replaced with a fully charged extinguisher promptly after any discharge.
It is responsibility of every supervisor to assure that fire extinguishers are not used for purposes other than fire fighting.
The supervisor is also responsible for the monthly inspection of fire-fighting equipment in his area, records to be kept.
It is the responsibility of every department head to ensure that all staff in the department know the location of fire extinguishers in the area of responsibility.
It is the responsibility of the HSE and Training Department to train all employees in the proper use of fire extinguishers and it is responsibility of department heads to allow their staff to attend this training.
Location of Fire Extinguishers
Following is a list of areas and equipment that must have fire extinguishers.
The size and type of fire extinguisher installed will depend on nature and potential severity of any fire:
i. All heavy equipment in use, including compressors and welders.
ii. All light vehicles.
iii. All active electric transformers.
iv. All lunchrooms where active food warmers are located.
v. All areas where welding or cutting is being done.
vi. All buildings or areas where flammable materials are stored.
vii. All building should have at least one fire extinguisher located at the entrance.
viii. All areas where oil or fuel is stored.
ix. All maintenance shops should have at least two extinguishers.
x. Fire protection should be of a type, size, and quantity that can extinguish fires of any class in their early stages which could occur as result of the fire hazards present.
xi. In the vicinity of all computer areas, CO2 / Water required.
Inspection of Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be inspected visually at least once a month to determine that they are fully charged and operable.
Monthly on projects and in permanent offices, maintenance checks should be made of mechanical parts, the amount and condition of extinguishing agent and expellant and the condition of the hose, nozzle and vessel to determine that the fire extinguishers will operate effectively and relevant records to be kept.
Relevant Records
Extinguishers Inspection Logs