Informação geral sobre os Extintores

General information about Extinguishers

 

In Portugal, the legislation regulating the mandatory use of fire extinguishers in buildings is primarily detailed in the "Regulation of Fire Safety in Buildings" (RSIE), approved by Decree-Law No. 220/2008, of November 12, and updated by Decree-Law No. 224/2015, of October 9.

Mandatory Fire Extinguishers

  1. Buildings and Premises:

    • All buildings, including homes, commercial, industrial, and service establishments, must have adequate and sufficient fire extinguishers, according to the risk and the area to be protected.

  2. Risk Classification:

    • Buildings are classified into different risk categories (low, moderate, high, and very high), with the number and type of fire extinguishers required varying according to this classification.

  3. Type of Fire Extinguishers:

    • Fire extinguishers must be appropriate for the type of fire that may occur at the location. There are fire classes (A, B, C, D, and F) that determine the appropriate type of extinguisher (water, foam, dry chemical, CO2, etc.).

  4. Location and Signage:

    • Fire extinguishers must be visibly and easily accessible, never more than 15 to 30 meters away from any point in the building. They must be clearly signposted.

Maintenance and Inspection

  1. Regular Maintenance:

    • Periodic inspections (at least once a year) are mandatory to verify the condition and functionality of the fire extinguishers.

  2. Maintenance Records:

    • All maintenance services must be recorded and documented for control and inspection purposes.

Responsibilities

  1. Owners and Managers:

    • Building owners or managers are responsible for ensuring the presence, maintenance, and inspection of fire extinguishers. They must also ensure that building occupants are aware of the location and use of the equipment.

  2. Supervision:

    • Compliance with these regulations is supervised by the competent authorities, who may apply penalties in case of non-compliance.

Training

  1. Training and Education:
    • Training for building occupants on how to use fire extinguishers and the measures to take in case of fire is recommended (and, in some cases, mandatory).

These laws aim to ensure the safety of building occupants and minimize risks and damage in the event of a fire. For specific details and updates, it is advisable to consult the legislation directly or seek specialized advice.

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