Fire fighting equipment testing

All fire extinguishers must be coloured red regardless of content with the exception of a patch occupying no more than 5% of the surface area to indicate the type of extinguishing content.

It is crucial that extinguishers are all tested to the appropriate standards and that they carry the correct certification marks.

BSI testing services

As well as compliance testing to all of the standards below, BSI can offer a complete testing package including on-site witness testing and integrated multi-assessment visits to cover, CE (pressure equipment and marine directives) and Kitemark certification. BS EN 1866-1 can be tested against the Pressure Equipment Directive and /or theTransportable Pressure Equipment Directive. Kitemark certification schemes for these products will automatically qualify against CE marking compliance.

BS EN 3-7: 2004
Portable fire extinguishers.  Characteristics, performance requirements and test methods.

BS EN 3-8: 2006
Additional requirements to EN3-7 construction, resistance topressure and mechanical tests for
extinguishers with a maximum allowable pressure equal to or lower than 30 bar.

BS EN 3-9: 2006
Additional requirements to EN3-7 for pressure resistance of CO2 extinguishers

BS 6165: 2002
Specification for small disposable fire extinguishers of the aerosol type

BS EN 1866-1: 2007
Mobile fire extinguishers.  Characteristics, performance and test methods

Chubb Fire - reassurance and credibility from BSI

"We have more than 600 models and we have tremendous support from BSI with our approvals and testing. BSI's word carries a lot of weight.  Chubb has several Kitemark licences to EN 3, and we act for four other UK companies and supply extinguishers all over Europe for Williams plc, based on our test reports and approvals from BSI.

For approvals in Sweden and Norway, for instance, we ask BSI to look at test requirements and they confirm that the technical content is in line with what we've had done. They won't accept our word for it, but they will accept BSI's.

BSI's word carries influence throughout Europe - we've had product approvals in Holland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Finland off the back of BSI test reports and approvals. We're currently working within Denmark, Estonia and Latvia on the same basis."
Chris Fergusson, product development manager, at Chubb

Kitemark schemes and CE marking for fire extinguishers .  For further information contact a BSI advisor now.

Water Mist Systems

Water mist systems operate in a similar way to standard sprinkler systems, however, when activated, instead of a heavy spray, they produce a fine mist of water. The steam which is produced effectively uses the energy of the fire against itself,  by cooling down hot objects and creating an atmosphere not supportive to combustion.

The three types of mist system are: Low pressure: <12.5 bar, Medium pressure: >12.5 and< 35 bar and High pressure: >35 bar.

BSI can offer managed compliance assessment against water mist systems, but not against the system components.

FM 5560
Water mist systems

BS ISO 15371
Ship and marine (protection of galley deep fat cooking equipment)

Kitemark schemes for water mist systems .   For further information contact a BSI advisor now.

Fire Blankets

In most instances fire blankets are used to extinguish kitchen environments. However, they are also an effective method of smothering fire on a person, for example, if their clothing should catch light during a fire incident.  Some fire blankets can be multiuse and this should be clearly indicated on the packaging. If a blanket is for single use it must not be reused as the blanket’s capabilities will have been compromised.

The two types of fire blankets are: Industrial, for commercial kitchens and Domestic, for home use.

BSI testing services

Full compliance testing to BS EN 1869 and BS 7944, plus Kitemark certification on the above scheme.  Kitemark certification schemes for these products will automatically qualify against CE marking compliance.

BS 7944: 1999

Kitemark schemes and CE marking for fire blankets .   For further information contact a BSI advisor now.  For consumer information on Fire blankets visit kitemark.com

Fixed Fire Systems

1. Fire hoses and connectors
2. Fire Hose Reels
3. Fire Hydrant Valves

Fire hoses and connectors

Lay flat Fire hoses are used by firefighters worldwide and are probably the most important piece of equipment on a fire appliance.

All fire hoses with Kitemark certification will conform with construction, dimension, weight, burst pressure, adhesion, moisture absorption, flexibility, heat ageing, abrasion resistance and ozone resistance requirements of the standards. Every length of the hose is pressure tested and marked correctly. Kitemark certification schemes for these products will automatically qualify against CE marking compliance.

BS 6391 -Type 1
Fire hoses - no heat treatment applied liquid absorbable
BS 6391 -Type 2
Fire hoses - external coating against liquid absorption
BS 6391 -Type 3
Fire hoses - external coating against abrasion
BS EN 694: 2001
Fire-fighting hoses.  Semi-rigid hoses for fixed systems
BS 336: 1989
Fire hose couplings and ancillary equipment

Fire Hose Reels

There are two main types of reel.  Automatic reels and manual reels. As well as Kitemark certification to the above standards, full compliance testing can be done against the Construction Products Directive.

BS EN 671-1: 2001
Hose reels with semi rigid hose
BS EN 671-2: 2001
Hose systems with lay flat hose

Fire Hydrant Valves

In addition to Kitemark certification on the above standards, stand alone CE marking is offered on BS EN 14339. Testing can be undertaken both on-site or at BSI’s extensive test facilities. This can be further complemented with full compliance testing against the Construction Products Directive (CPD).

BS 750: 2006
Specification for underground fire hydrants and surface box frames and covers.
BS EN 14339: 2005
Underground fire hydrants
BS 5041-1: 1987
Fire hydrant systems equipment.  Specification for landing valves for wet risers.
BS 5041-2: 1987
Fire hydrant systems equipment.  Specification for landing valves for dry risers.
BS 5041-3: 1975
Fire hydrant systems equipment.  Specification for inlet breechings for dry riser inlets.
BS 5041-4: 1975
Fire hydrant systems equipment. Specification for boxes for landing valves for dry risers.
BS 5041-5: 1974
Fire hydrant systems equipment.  Specification for boxes for foam inlets and dry riser inlets.

Kitemark schemes and CE marking for fire hoses, fire hose reels and fire hydrant valves .   For further information contact a BSI advisor now.