Fire Extinguisher Recycling Unit

A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH

As a business you have a Legal Duty of Care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier....Chubb offers a safe and legitimate fire extinguisher recycling service for the collection and disposal of condemned fire extinguishers, so you can have total peace of mind.

VIDEO Click here for a tour of Chubb recycling process (WMV, 5.1MB)

Every business has a legal responsibility to protect its people, buildings and assets from the hazards of fire. Part of this responsibility means ensuring that all fire fighting equipment including fire extinguishers need to be maintained and serviced properly by a competent person. But as with any pressurised container, a fire extinguisher needs to be treated with respect, and can become dangerous if mistreated or abused, or indeed simply after it has come to the end of its useful working life.

But what happens when a fire extinguisher is ‘condemned’ and no longer safe to use?

As a business you have a Legal Duty of Care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so - by fly tipping for example – can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.

Chubb offers to their existing customers for a fixed charge a safe and legitimate fire extinguisher recycling service for collection and disposal of condemned fire extinguishers, so you can have total peace of mind.

A DEDICATED FACILITY

Chubb Fire’s Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers across the UK. Chubb has worked closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Click here to see the Extinguisher Recycling Procedure in more detail

If a fire extinguisher has been condemned on site and is considered too dangerous for removal the customer will be informed and a specialist will be dispatched to deal with the fire extinguisher safely prior to returning it to the ERU.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. What does it mean if a fire extinguisher is ‘condemned’?

A. Under BS 5306-3:2003, an extinguisher is 'condemned' if it has a major defect which makes it either unsafe for use, or unfit for service, and which cannot be rectified by maintenance.

Unsafe for use means where there is a very real risk of the container being liable to a sudden uncontrolled release of pressure or ejection of parts. This could be caused by corrosion, wear or damage to threads of any pressure retaining part; corrosion of welds; extensive general corrosion or severe pitting; significant dents or gouges in the body; or fire damage to the fire extinguisher body or body fittings.

Unfit for service means where the early signs of damage or corrosion are likely to become worse and make the fire extinguisher unsafe to use. This could be caused by any split in an internal protective plastics lining, or any significant bubbling or lifting from the metal of a plastics lining; corrosion of the metal body under a plastics lining; or corrosion of the metal body under a zinc or tin/lead lining.

The standard is clear that these are not the only possible defects, others may, in the judgement of a competent, trained and experienced person, also warrant condemning.

Q. Will I be able to detect all of these defects myself?

A. No. Some defects might not be visible to the untrained eye, so it is always better to call in the experts.

Dented body	Cracked body	Corroded body

Q. Why do you now charge for a service that used to be free?

A. Previously the cost of the removal and disposal of condemned fire extinguishers had been borne by the servicing company, but recent changes in the law have required a new approach to achieve compliance, and the resultant increase in costs, means this is no longer possible.

Q. Is using Chubb my only option?

A. No, you can choose an alternative supplier, but you have to ensure that your supplier:

• complies with the ADR
• is licensed to carry controlled waste
• is competent to handle pressurised cylinders

Q. I rent my fire extinguishers from Chubb, will I be charged for this service?

A. No, as the rental fee you are paying encompass the cost of collection and disposal of extinguishers.

Q. Surely, you can sell the scrap metal?

A. Yes. Some of the materials have a scrap value and any benefits from selling these materials have been incorporated to subsidise the cost of this process.

Q. Will I receive a certificate proving that my extinguishers have been disposed of safely and legitimately?

A. Yes. You will have a copy of the Certificate of Inspection that will state the number of extinguishers removed from your site, and you can also ask for a copy of our Chubb Policy on the transportation and disposal of condemned fire extinguisher.

Chubb also offers a collection and safe disposal service for Halon fire extinguishers now banned since the 31st December 2003 under the Montreal Protocol.

Click here to download Chubb Waste Carrier Licence

Useful websites

www.hmso.gov.uk

www.feta.org.uk