Did You Know? Portable Fire Extinguisher Standard Installation

Every business and public place is obliged to provide a portable fire extinguisher. The portable fire extinguisher is very useful to helps us for extinguish a small fire. However, the installation of fire extinguishers cannot be done arbitrarily, there are standard that should be obeyed in the installation process. Here is the explanation of the standard:

Refer to: PERATURAN MENTERI TENAGA KERJA DAN TRANSMIGRASI No: PER.04/MEN/1980

1. Installation Height (Article 8). The portable fire extinguisher should be installed at maximum height (top) 1.2 m from the floor, except for CO₂ and dry chemical portable extinguisher may be installed in the lower position with no less than 15 cm above the floor.
2. Installation Distance (Article 4, Paragraph 5). The placement of one APAR unit with another APAR should not be more than 15 m.
3. Installation Sign (Article 4, Paragraph 3). The installation standard of sign for portable fire extinguishers should be at 1.25 m height from the floor, directly above the fire extinguisher.

However, in addition to the installation standard, it is also essential to pay attention to the compatibility between the type of fire extinguisher and classification of fires, because it can increase the effectiveness of portable fire extinguisher against fire. Here is the explanation:

Refer to: PERATURAN MENTERI TENAGA KERJA DAN TRANSMIGRASI No: PER.04/MEN/1980

Fires can be classified into several types depending on the agent that fuels them, such as:

• Solid material fires except for metal (Class A)
• Flammable liquid or gaseous fires (Class B)
• Fires in energized electrical installations (Class C)
• Combustible metal fires (Class D)

Ensure your factory or business place has followed the portable fire extinguisher installation applicable standards. This is to support occupational safety and health and prevent any losses.