Administration Manual - B.E.S.T. Undertaking.

i) Portable Chemic al Fire Extinguisher - IS : 933-1959
(Foam Type);
ii) Portable Chemical Fire Extinguisher - IS : 934-1960
(Soda Acid Type)
iii) Portable Fire Extinguisher Carbon - IS : 2171-1962
Dry Powder Type;
iv) Portable Fire Extinguisher, Carbon - IS : 2878
v) Portable Fire Extinguisher, Water CO2 - IS :
1053
9. None of the appliances referred above are useful to combat large fire, as all of them are
essentially ‘first-aid’ fire fighting appliances. Nevertheless, they are very valuable if used
promptly and efficiently in the initial stages of a fire. In addition to the value of their
portability, the most important feature of these hand appliances is their immediate availability
for use by one person, or at the most, a very small crew. The usefulness of these appliances is
limited as it is entirely dependent upon the presence of persons having knowledge to operate
them. Further more, their capacity is also limited and their operational value largely depends
upon the initial charge being sufficient to overcome and confine the fire. The capacity of such
appliances shall be commensurate with the risk they are intended to cover.
10. Since a variety of shapes and/or methods of operations of fire extinguishers have at times led
to confusion and as failure to operate the extinguisher properly in the first instance results in
failure to quench the fire, it is recommended that extinguishers installed in any one building or
single occupancy shall all be similar in shape and appearance and shall have the same method
of operation as far as possible. This will also simplify the training of a large number of
workers in the effective and efficient use of extinguishers.
C - Number and size of Appliances :
11. The number and size of portable fire appliances required for any particular premises shall be
determined taking into consideration the severity of incipient fire anticipated, rapidity with
which a fire may spread, intensity of heat that may be developed, accessibility to the fire and
portable appliances, special features of the building construction and nature of occupancy,
single or mixed.
12. The required number of portable fire appliances may be determined by providing any single
suitable type of appliance or a combination of two or more types.
D - Selection of sites :
13. When selecting sites for fire appliances, due consideration shall be given to the nature of risk
to be covered. Appliances shall be placed in conspicuous positions and shall be readily
accessible for immediate use in all parts of the occupancy. It shall always be borne in mind
while selecting sites that first-aid fire appliances are intended only for use on incipient fires,
and their value may be negligible if the fire is extinguished or brought under control in the
early stages.