Whilst I am informing all of my clients on how these changes will affect them it seemed sensible to place an update within my website.
** these timescales are based on current information but may be subject to change**
As you may be aware new legislative changes are imminent and the UK in line with the European Commission is due to ban AFFF Foam and Wet Chemical extinguishing agents and all other types containing PFAS chemicals which have been identified as harmful to the environment, wildlife, and people.
With a complete ban planned for 1st January 2030 (although this could be sooner) it is the intention to have a full prohibition of these products by 31st December 2030.
This does not mean that you have the immediate cost to replace your current extinguishers with alternatives such as Fluorine Free Foam (FFF) or Dry Powder.
However, you should not be encouraged to replace internal foam extinguishers for Dry Powder without first discussing this with your fire risk assessor, and I have attached additional guidance below.
FAQ’s
Do I need to change all of my extinguishers now?
NO:
Your current extinguishers can remain and any replacement will be carried out as they reach their 5-year lifespan where they will be replaced with new compliant alternatives, including water extinguishers (with and without PFAS-free additives) and PFAS-free foam options, presently you may still purchase AFFF as they will be replaced at 5 years and prior to the ban coming into place, however, any purchased from the 1st December 2025 will not benefit from the 5-year lifespan.
As there is only 6 years from the ban you will naturally see fire extinguisher companies use up existing stocks over the next year whilst they seek to transition in the new Fluorine Free type, this is to accommodate the client’s 5-year lifespan and accommodate a smooth transition, it is anticipated that in some cases the two types will run side by side for 6-9 months before a complete removal of all of the PFAS type extinguishers.
Once removed these units are incinerated to destroy and remove harmful contents from the ecosystem.
What if I do not have a current maintenance contract for my extinguishers?
All fire extinguishers within a workplace must be maintained and serviced under law, therefore a service and maintenance contract with a qualified and suitable fire protection supplier is an essential requirement, if you have bought extinguishers online, even if they are brand new, you are required to have them commissioned and serviced by a qualified engineer, without this commissioning and servicing they may be considered ‘condemned’ by a fire risk assessor as they will not be complying with current legal requirements and may also affect insurance claims or cover.
Why is Dry Powder not recommended for indoor use?
The discharge of a powder extinguisher within buildings can cause a sudden reduction of visibility and can also impair breathing, which could temporarily jeopardize escape, rescue, or other emergency action, for this reason, powder extinguishers should generally not be specified for use indoors. In addition, they contaminant the immediate area and where they may contain ammonia they are corrosive, especially when mixed with water causing collateral damage to sensitive machinery and equipment (see excerpt from BSI Standard Publication below).
c) Powder
1) Firefighting properties of powder
Powder is a finely divided chemical with a controlled range of particle size, often with
siliconized additives to promote flow. Fires are quickly tackled by powder, thereby preventing
oxygen in the air from contacting the burning material.
2) Effects of powder on people, property and the environment
Powder can reduce visibility in the immediate vicinity of discharge and might impair
breathing, either of which could hinder escape.
ABC and BC powders are electrically non-conductive.
Class D powders can be electrically conductive.
When discharged on to equipment, powder clings to decorated surfaces, metals, glass,
ceramics, grease-films, etc. Equipment and spaces contaminated with powder need to
be cleaned as soon as possible. Powder, when moistened, can be corrosive. Powder also
hangs suspended in still air for some time, and contaminated areas could require cleaning
more than once.
Some class D powders are graphite-based. Floor surfaces become very slippery where this is used. Graphite-based powers are black/dark grey in colour and can stain heavily.
Discharged powder needs to be contained, collected (often by vacuum cleaner) and disposed of safely, in an environmentally acceptable manner.
(BSI Standard Publication for BS 5306-3:2017)
