UK fire extinguisher regulations: one year on from the ban of AFFF

Fire extinguishers form a critical part of a building’s fire safety management arrangements and must be compliant with the current regulations – the equipment must be appropriate and suitably maintained.

PFOA, also known as C8, is found in number of firefighting foams, most notably in AFFF fire extinguishers for suppressing Class B or flammable liquid fires. The foam containing C8 has been proven to be detrimental to the health of humans and animals, as well as the wider environment. As a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), C8 is a concern in fire extinguishers due to it being a persistent organic pollutant, contaminating soils, water sources, and wildlife.

The REACH Regulation (registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals) was implemented in the UK last year to ban the use of all C8 chemical composition firefighting foams including AFFF extinguishers, following the bans on the production of PFOS-based products in the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

PFAS chemicals were consistently detected in the environment surrounding airports, military bases, and industrial sites where AFFF extinguishers were heavily used due to their ability to smother fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, and oil, and their effectiveness in covering large areas quickly. PFAS are inherently difficult to destroy, meaning these sites are still a prominent source of contamination a year on from the AFFF ban,

As a result of the UK’s ban of AFFF extinguishers, many extinguishers are now non-compliant and must be replaced. Over the last decade, fire extinguisher manufacturers have slowly phased out the usage of C8, replacing it with C6, a less harmful variation. Alternatives to AFFF extinguishers include fluorine-free foam (FFF), Watermist, dry powder extinguishers, and CO₂ extinguishers, offering a safer option for the environment and users.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the building’s Responsible Person must ensure that suitable fire-fighting equipment is provided where required and kept in efficient working order.

Since the AFFF ban, the Responsible Person must also ensure that all AFFF extinguishers in the building are replaced with a compliant alternative, even if the AFFF extinguisher remains physically serviceable, and ensuring the extinguisher is correctly disposed of by a licensed contractor.

By not complying with the environmental protection laws, companies found to still have AFFF extinguishers could face fines and legal action. Companies found to be responsible for PFAS contamination may also have to pay the substantial clean-up costs to remove the residue fire extinguisher pollutant from the environment.

SOCOTEC UK & Ireland can support clients through fire risk assessments and advice on compliant and environmentally responsible fire-fighting solutions.