There is no legally defined lifespan of a fire extinguisher. But, a CO2 extinguisher and a ‘factory-sealed’ powder (only from Nu-swift and their companies, I think) need a full overhaul service at 10 years and it may not be economically viable.

In fact, all other extinguishers need a discharge test at 5 years and, if you check online, it is usually cheaper to buy a new one. Have a look at the prices at http://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk as they sell the proper stuff

This is where the RRO falls down (or, rather, one of the places it falls down!). Technically, a work vehicle is a place of work – as shown by it requiring a “no smoking” sign – so it should have a fire extinguisher.

However, there is no guidance for size of extinguishers or types for vehicles other than ADR Regs. Also, it takes around 10 seconds to inspect your average 1kg or 2kg powder extinguisher and difficult to get them all in for an inspection.

Personally, I’d inspect them yourself using a fixed format and have an inspection label attached and keep the record. Unfortunately, if you ask anyone for an official viewpoint, they will only be able to give you their opinion and interpretation and that counts for nothing in the RRO.

http://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/ have a free commissioning pack (supplied with every extinguisher) with info on how to inspect.

The “Law” relating to fire extinguishers is a bit non-specific. In effect, any premises that is a place of work or dwelling that is occupied by more than one family (ie, bedsits, letting out rooms, etc) is covered by the nattilly titled Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

To comply with this, you need to have a fire risk assessment and that fire risk assessment must follow standard recommendations which, in the case of positioning fire extinguishers, is British Standard 5306 part 8 (part 3 is the maintenance). In that Standard, extinguishers above 2kg contents (but including the 2kg CO2), must be mounted on a wall with the handle at 1m above the floor. Smaller ones with the handle at 1.5m above the floor.

As modern buildings (and ancient ones) sometimes aren’t suitable for wall fixing, it it acceptable to place them on a stand or plinth or trolley that is designed for that purpose.

The point is to create a fixed fire point so that people will always know that they can find fire extinguishers and that is will be very obvious if one has been removed.

I would like to know – must they be mounted (so that they cannot be moved) or
is there no law stipulating that this is a must, thus they can be free standing?

You seem to be quoting USA ratings which would be different to the ones we use in the UK