The Fire Safety Order requires fire fighting appliances such as fire portable extinguishers to be provided in the work place and a duty on employers to train staff in the use of those extinguishers. The number and type of appliances depends upon the size of the area in question and the kind of material that may burn. There is guidance regarding the general level of provision in terms of the amount of appliances and types. However subject to the degree of subdivision in the building it is often reasonable to reduce the amount of extinguishers that may be required.
It should be understood that should fire occur, there is no duty imposed on an individual or organization to make any persons attempt to put out a fire with the use of any fire extinguishers that may be provided. The whole concept orbits around the principal of the goodwill of the occupants and where it is considered reasonable to do so the early use of a fire fighting appliance on a small fire could mitigate a lot of fire damage and some times even save life. It is not necessary to provide fire extinguishers in the common parts of flats. However it is recommended that some means of fighting fire are provided in houses of multiple occupation and this should be in the form of a dry powder type. This has a multiple use and is safe if used on an electrical appliance. The powder it self is non toxic but inhalation of the dust used in such areas should be kept to a minimum so as to avoid coughing irritation.
