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BS 5306: fire extinguisher commissioning, service and inspection
BS 5306 is the British Standard for portable fire extinguishers. Part 8 covers selection and installation; Part 3 covers ongoing maintenance. If your extinguishers aren't serviced and recorded against BS 5306, your insurer and the Fire Authority can both treat them as non-compliant.
Three levels of inspection
BS 5306-3 sets out three distinct levels. Mixing them up is the most common reason buildings fail an audit.
- Monthly visual check — done by the Responsible Person. Confirms the extinguisher is in place, undamaged, pressure gauge in the green and seal intact.
- Annual basic service — must be carried out by a competent person, typically a third-party-certificated engineer (BAFE-registered). Includes weighing, pressure check and a service label.
- Extended service — every 5 years for water, foam and powder; every 10 years for CO2 (which also requires a hydrostatic test). Internal inspection and recharge.
Who counts as 'competent'?
BS 5306 doesn't mandate a particular certification, but in practice the Fire Authority and insurers look for engineers registered to a UKAS-accredited third-party scheme such as BAFE SP101. If your engineer isn't third-party certificated, expect questions.
Commissioning new extinguishers
Newly installed extinguishers must be commissioned on site before being put into service. Commissioning is separate from the manufacturer's pre-fill — it confirms the extinguisher is correctly sited, signed, mounted at the right height (top no more than 1m above floor, or 1.5m for units up to 4kg/L) and listed in the building's logbook.
How long do extinguishers actually last?
With proper servicing, expect a working life of around 20 years for stored-pressure water/foam/powder, and 20 years for CO2 — provided they pass each extended service. Damaged or corroded extinguishers must be removed from service immediately, regardless of age.
Documentation you must keep
A fire safety logbook recording monthly checks, the engineer's annual service certificate, and a record of any extended services. These are the first documents a Fire Officer will ask for during an inspection.