E.g.

Method B1 gives a combined risk equivalent to the surface area of the largest container =
3 Square metres

Method B2 gives a combined risk equivalent to one third of the combined surface areas of the
individual risks = 1/3 x (3+3+3+3) = 12/3 = 4 square metres

Since Method B2 gives the bigger value the combined risk is equivalent to 4 square metres
and fire protection needs to be selected to deal with this size of risk.

SELECTING FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR CONTAINED B RISK

Consult BS 5306 Part 3

Look in Table 1 Maximum area of Class B fire (deep liquid) for which extinguishers are
suitable
Look up the nearest value to the surface area of the contained Class B risk
Read across to find the number and minimum fire rating of extinguishers needed to deal with
a risk of that surface area

E.g. If the contained B risk is 1.5 square metres this can be dealt with by:

3 x 89B foam extinguishers (1.78m2) or

2 x 144B powder or foam extinguishers (but not a combination) (1.8m2) or

1 x 233B powder or foam extinguisher (1.55m2)

TABLE 1 MAXIMUM AREA OF CLASS B FIRE (DEEP LIQUID) FOR

WHICH EXTINGUISHERS ARE SUITABLE
Extinguisher Max. Area for 3 Max, Area for 2 Max. Area for 1
Rating Exts. (Foam Only) Extinguishers Extinguisher
m2 m2 m2
13B 0.26 0.16 0.09
21B 0.42 0.26 0.14
34B 0.68 0.42 0.23
55B 1.10 0.69 0.37
70B 1.40 0.88 0.47
89B 1.78 1.11 0.59
113B 2.26 1.41 0.75
144B 2.88 1.80 0.96
183B 3.66 2.29 1.22
233B 4.66 2.91 1.55
296B 5.92 3.70 1.97
377B 7.54 4.71 2.51
470 9.58 6.00 5.19
610B 12.20 7.62 4.07

Notes:

The shaded rows represent extinguisher ratings no longer applicable under BS EN3 but
applicable under the previous standard BS 5423. If three extinguishers are used they must all
be foam. If two extinguishers are used they must either be either foam or powder. A foam and
powder combination is not permitted. If a single extinguisher is used it may be either powder
or foam.