Fire extinguisher compliance in South Africa is governed by SANS 10105 (the selection, deployment, inspection, maintenance and use of portable fire extinguishers) and SANS 1475 (reconditioning and testing of portable fire extinguishers). The OHS Act 85 of 1993, General Safety Regulations Regulation 3, makes compliance a legal obligation for every employer. This guide covers every requirement in plain language.
The Five Classes of Fire — and Why Extinguisher Type Matters
The single most common extinguisher failure found during compliance checks is having the wrong type for the fire risk present. Using the wrong type is not just ineffective — in some cases it is actively dangerous.
| Fire Class | Fuel / Risk Type | Correct Extinguisher | Common Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | Solid combustibles — wood, paper, cardboard, fabric, most plastics | Water, foam, dry powder (ABC) | Offices, warehouses, general areas |
| Class B | Flammable liquids — petrol, paraffin, oils, solvents, paints, alcohols | Foam, CO₂, dry powder (ABC/BC) | Workshops, paint stores, fuel storage |
| Class C | Energised electrical equipment — appliances, wiring, switch rooms | CO₂ only — never water, foam or DCP | Server rooms, switch rooms, electrical panels |
| Class D | Combustible metals — magnesium, sodium, titanium, potassium, aluminium | Specialist dry powder only — standard extinguishers ineffective and dangerous | Metalworking, battery manufacturing |
| Class F | Cooking oils and fats in commercial appliances | Wet chemical only — never water or DCP on hot oil | Commercial kitchens, canteens, restaurants |
Why type mismatch is dangerous, not just non-compliant: Water or foam extinguishers on a Class C electrical fire conduct electricity back to the operator — the extinguisher becomes a live conductor. Water or DCP on a Class F cooking oil fire causes violent steam explosions and scatters burning oil. The correct extinguisher type in each specific area is a life-safety requirement, not a paperwork issue.
How Many Extinguishers Does Your Building Need?
SANS 10105 specifies minimum coverage requirements based on fire risk classification. These are minimums — additional units are required near electrical panels, server rooms, commercial kitchens, and flammable liquid storage regardless of distance requirements.
Offices, schools, hotels
Retail, light manufacturing
Heavy manufacturing, chemical storage
Travel distance is measured along the actual walking route — not in a straight line. A unit mounted around a corner, behind a counter, or in a storeroom may technically be on-site but operationally out of reach when it is needed.
Mounting, Placement and Accessibility Requirements
- Extinguishers must be wall-mounted on appropriate brackets — never on the floor or stored in cupboards
- Handle must be no higher than 1.5m from the floor — accessible to a standing adult under stress
- Base must be at least 100mm above the floor — preventing ground moisture damage
- Every location must be marked with a sign per SANS 1186 — visible from approach distance
- Units must never be obstructed by stored goods, furniture, equipment, pallets, or parked vehicles
Obstructed or incorrectly mounted extinguishers are one of the easiest failures for a DOL inspector to identify and one of the most common. Every unit should be visually accessible and physically reachable within seconds — not discovered after moving something out of the way.
Service Intervals — Who Can Legally Perform Them
What Your Certificate of Service Must Include
A Certificate of Service must be issued after every annual service. This certificate is your only documentary evidence of compliance — without it on file, you cannot demonstrate compliance to a DOL inspector or an insurer regardless of the actual condition of your extinguishers.
- Permit number or SAQCC certificate number of the servicing technician
- Date of service and the next service due date
- Serial number, type, and location of each unit serviced
- Any defects found and remedial action taken or required
- Date of last hydrostatic pressure test and next pressure test due date
If you have extinguishers on the wall but cannot produce a current Certificate of Service from a qualified technician, you are non-compliant — regardless of how new or well-maintained the units appear. The certificate is the legal record of compliance.
The Seven-Question Fire Extinguisher Compliance Check
Before your next DOL inspection or insurance audit, run through these seven questions. Every answer must be yes. A single no is a compliance gap that a DOL inspector or insurer can act on.
- Does every area have the correct extinguisher type for the fire risk present — not just the nearest available unit?
- Are all units within the required travel distance from every point in each area, measured along the actual walking route?
- Are all units wall-mounted, unobstructed, accessible and clearly signed per SANS 1186?
- Does every unit carry a current service label — serviced within the last 12 months?
- Are your Certificates of Service on file, in writing, from a qualified permit-holder or SAQCC-certified technician?
- Have all cylinders older than five years undergone a hydrostatic pressure test?
- Are monthly inspection records being kept in writing by a named, delegated building representative?
If you cannot answer yes to all seven, you have a compliance gap. The question is not whether it will be found — it is whether you find it before an inspector, an insurer, or an incident does.
Frequently Asked Questions
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