You’ve bought the right extinguishers, placed them near the exits, and made sure they’re serviced annually. But then someone asks:
“Does it really matter if the fire extinguisher is just left on the floor?”
In short—yes, it does matter. Fire extinguishers should not be left standing on the floor, unless they are in a proper floor stand. There are safety, legal, and practical reasons for this, and it’s something every business or property owner should be aware of.
Here’s why placing fire extinguishers directly on the floor is not good practice—and how to fix it.
It’s a Safety Hazard
First and foremost, leaving a fire extinguisher loose on the floor is a trip hazard. In an emergency, someone rushing to evacuate could:
- Trip over it
- Knock it over and damage the unit
- Delay their own or someone else’s exit
Fire extinguishers are solid, heavy pieces of kit—typically weighing 6–9kg. If one is knocked over, it can cause injuries or damage nearby items.
Mounting or securely placing extinguishers eliminates this risk.
It Can Lead to Damage or Malfunction
Fire extinguishers are pressurised cylinders. Leaving them unprotected on the floor increases the chances of:
- Dents or corrosion from contact with moisture or cleaning chemicals
- Scuffs and scrapes that damage labels or instructions
- Damage to the valve or hose if it’s kicked or knocked
A damaged extinguisher might fail when you need it most, and could even leak or discharge accidentally.
It Violates Fire Safety Best Practice
According to BS 5306-8:2012, which covers the selection and positioning of portable fire extinguishers, extinguishers must be:
- Mounted on a wall bracket, or
- Placed in a purpose-built floor stand or cabinet
This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s recognised best practice and expected during fire safety inspections.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must ensure that fire-fighting equipment is:
- Properly maintained
- Positioned correctly
- Accessible and visible
Dumping extinguishers on the floor can be seen as non-compliant, especially in commercial or multi-occupancy buildings.
It Makes the Extinguisher Harder to Spot
Visibility is key. In a fire, people need to be able to find extinguishers quickly. If they’re tucked behind furniture, pushed into a corner, or lying on the floor, valuable seconds can be lost.
By wall-mounting or placing in a proper stand:
- The extinguisher is easier to see
- Signage can be placed directly above it
- Everyone knows where it is—even visitors or contractors
In many commercial settings, consistency matters. When all extinguishers are installed at a standard height and location, people know where to find them instinctively.
What’s the Correct Height?
BS 5306-8 gives clear guidance on how high extinguishers should be mounted:
- For larger extinguishers (over 4kg): handle should be no higher than 1 metre from the floor
- For smaller extinguishers: handle can be up to 1.5 metres high
This ensures the unit is easy to reach without straining—and not so low that it becomes a trip hazard or gets lost among clutter.
What If You Can’t Mount to a Wall?
There are plenty of cases where wall mounting isn’t possible—glass walls, listed buildings, temporary structures, or certain retail settings.
In these cases, you can use:
- Floor stands – durable, visible and stable
- Cabinets – especially for outdoor or high-traffic areas
These keep the extinguisher in the correct position, without the risks associated with leaving it loose on the floor.
How ESI Can Help
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we help business owners, landlords, and facilities managers across Farnborough, Camberley, Guildford, Reading, and the wider Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire region meet their fire safety obligations.
We supply and install:
- Wall brackets
- Floor stands
- Safety signage
- Protective cabinets for internal and external use
We’ll also ensure your extinguishers are serviced, positioned, and compliant with BS 5306-3 and BS 5306-8.
Need help getting your fire extinguisher installations right? Give us a call—we’ll ensure everything is exactly where it should be. Safe, visible, and ready for action.
