Protecting fire extinguishers situated outdoors

Ensuring your fire extinguishers are in perfect working order can mean the difference between extinguishing a small fire or risking a fire becoming out of control. It's vital then that every measure is taken to ensure your fire extinguishers are kept in good working order and will perform exactly as expected when required.

It is vital to protect all fire extinguishers from any kind of damage but for those that sit outside, measures to prevent corrosion or freezing in harsh weather should always be considered. Here, we look at why it's important to protect fire extinguishers from the elements and consider the best ways to do it.

It's vital then that every measure is taken to ensure your fire extinguishers are kept in good working order and will perform exactly as expected when required.

Conforming to standards

Fire extinguishers stored outdoors should always be protected. With the threat of freezing weather throughout the winter months it's wise to consider and arrange protection for your fire extinguishers. BS 5306 Standards outlines a requirement for protective measures to be taken for fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguisher cabinets are a great way to protect extinguishers in outdoor settings. Manufactured from ABS plastic, they possess remarkable protection qualities, including resistance to chemicals. Their weather seals make sure extinguishers are firmly covered so they'll last as long as possible. In areas that are prone to vandalism a lockable cabinet will not only protect against damage and harsh weather conditions, it'll offer an added level of security thanks to its lockable system. Cabinets are extremely durable and shatterproof.

Fire extinguisher covers are sometimes seen as an alternative option for protection but they do not stop the fire extinguisher from corroding from the base due to moisture gathering around the base of fire extinguisher. It is always advisable to install fire extinguisher cabinets.

A lockable cabinet will not only protect against damage and harsh weather conditions, it'll offer an added level of security thanks to its lockable system. Cabinets are extremely durable and shatterproof. 

Protecting against freezing temperatures

Fire extinguisher cabinets are great for all-round fire extinguisher protection for reducing vandalism and keeping cold, wet weather at bay. However, certain extinguishers will need extra protection from freezing weather temperatures. Water and foam extinguishers installed outdoors (or in areas with no heating) are particularly vulnerable and their contents may freeze which risks the extinguisher not working or in extreme cases splitting the casing which is dangerous. 

A fire extinguisher which contains low freeze additive provides a solution for those environments that can reach bitterly cold temperatures. This type of extinguisher is ideal for building or construction sites, as well as other outdoor settings like camping sites, farms, equestrian stables or any other site which has to have fire extinguishers placed outside. 

Contents may freeze which risks the extinguisher not working or in extreme cases splitting the casing which is dangerous 

Spend some time now making sure important fire safety equipment is protected from the elements for peace of mind that they will work properly ever needed.

We supply a large range of fire extinguisher cabinets together with fire extinguishers which have low freeze additive. Contact us for assistance with your fire extinguisher or cabinet requirements.