Britannia Fire BW6 Manual

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BRITANNIA
RANGE
EXTINGUISHER
SERVICING &
MAINTENANCE
INSTRUCTIONS
Cartridge Operated
Water Based extinguishers

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SPINTRO REV 5: September 2010
PROCEDURES FOR SERVICING THE BRITANNIA RANGE OF
HAND PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Introduction
The commissioning and servicing of fire fighting equipment must be carried out by a competent
person using the correct tools to follow these manufacturer’s instructions and any National
standards required in the relevant Country.
This maintenance should be performed at least annually. The extinguishers should be visually
inspected at least quarterly, but preferably monthly, by the user, to ensure that the equipment
is in its designated position, has not been used and has not been tampered with.
Servicing and recharging should be carried out in a clean dry environment. All recharge
materials and spare parts must be as specified by the manufacturer. Particular attention is
drawn to replacement CO2 cartridges, which must be obtained from the Manufacturer. Minor
differences in cartridge design may affect the correct operation of the extinguisher.
In the event that an extinguisher cannot immediately be rendered suitable for continued
service, it must be marked ‘NOT MAINTAINED’ until it can be repaired/recharged.
The competent person must advise the user of any equipment, which is either condemned or
unfit for service and make any recommendations for replacement and/or remedial work.
Always check the security and suitability of the hanging bracket, and that the extinguisher is of
the right type for the prevalent risk.
If the extinguisher is to be sited in a hazardous/corrosive environment i.e. marine use, the
inspection periods should be more frequent. The effects of the environment should be
considered, with particular reference to corrosion and legibility of marking instructions. If there
is corrosion or the markings are not legible, then the extinguisher should be withdrawn from
service. This is a requirement of the Marine Equipment Directive.
It is essential that extinguishers are not subjected to temperatures outside of the temperature
range stated on the extinguisher.
Extinguishers should remain in their allocated location, and should be used only for the
purposes of extinguishing a fire. On no account should the extinguisher be removed for any
other purpose, and should not be subjected to any impact, force, heat, abrasion or any other
misuse or condition that may be detrimental to the integrity of the extinguisher.
Failure to use the recommended spare parts and adhere to these maintenance instructions may
cause the extinguisher to malfunction or prevent it from operating altogether. This may
invalidate the warranty and the manufacturer accepts no liability in the event that these
instructions are not followed.
Care must be taken to ensure that residual media (powder and foam) are disposed of in
accordance with environmental legislation. Where facilities exist, condemned extinguishers and
components should be recycled.

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SPCOL REV 3: September 2010
SERVICING PROCEDURE FOR BRITANNIA FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
CARTRIDGE OPERATED LIQUID MODELS
MODEL NO'S: BW6, BW9, BT6, BT9, BAF9, BAQ6, BAQ9, BTU3, BTU6
1. Remove extinguisher from hanging bracket and check security of the bracket, rectify if
necessary. Check exterior of extinguisher for corrosion or damage, if found withdraw from
service.
2. Ensure safety pin is in position and the extinguisher has not been completely or partially
discharged. If the extinguisher has been completely or partially discharged, discontinue
servicing procedure and commence recharge procedure (ref. RPCOL).
3. Ensure instruction label is legible, rectify as necessary. Check for damage/corrosion to
extinguisher body. If damage/corrosion is found, mark the extinguisher as condemned
and/or remove from service.
4. Weigh extinguisher and compare mass to that recorded when the extinguisher was
commissioned or last discharge tested. Recharge the extinguisher if there is a difference of
more than 10% of the content weight.
5. Ensure your body/head is not directly over extinguisher. Remove the headcap using the
nutring spanner [Part Ref: HCS] (warning: should pressure issue from vents, allow pressure
to escape before complete removal of headcap). Do not use blunt instrument, i.e. screw
driver etc.
6. Check liquid level ensuring level is below the hanging bracket. Add or remove liquid to
correct level if necessary.
7. Inspect the interior of the extinguisher for evidence of lifting or cracking of the polythene
lining, or corrosion. If found, mark as condemned and remove from service.
8. Unscrew CO2Cartridge from headcap, clean and check for damage lifting of plastic coating,
corrosion and age of cartridge (must be changed if older than 10 years from date of
manufacture), replace if necessary with new cartridge from manufacturer.
9. Checkweigh cartridge against marked weight. Replace if loss of contents is in excess of 10%.
10. Wipe headcap valve clean, check for damage. Remove safety pin and squeeze levers
ensuring free movement of the firing pin/spindle. Check for blockages and valve shut off by
blowing through hose whilst opening and closing valve. Ensure nutring vents are clear.

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11. Clean and check condition of firing pin and spindle, cartridge holder, discharge tube and gas
tube, if applicable, and filter. Replace if any part shows signs of deterioration. Fit new
Headcap ‘O’ring.
12. Check discharge hose, nozzle and hose clips for wear, cuts or abrasions. Replace if
necessary.
13. Refit safety pin, service indicator and seal (in accordance with service colour code). Refit
original or new CO2cartridge.
14. Clean extinguisher neck threads and refit headcap using nutring spanner [Part Ref: HCS] (do
not use blunt instrument).
15. Fill in details of service on service label, including extinguisher weight, using indelible pen.
Clean extinguisher and hang on wall bracket.

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RPCOL REV 3: September 2010
RECHARGING PROCEDURE FOR BRITANNIA RANGE CARTRIDGE OPERATED LIQUID MODELS
MODEL NO'S: BW6, BW9, BT6, BT9, BAF9, BAQ6, BAQ9, BTU3, BTU6
THESE RECHARGE PROCEDURES SHOULD BE USED IF COMPLETE OR PARTIAL USE OF THE
EXTINGUISHER IS SUSPECTED.
1. Check for signs of damage or corrosion to extinguisher if found. Do not continue recharge
procedure, mark extinguisher 'condemned' and inform user. Ensure instruction label is
legible, rectify as necessary.
2. Ensure pressure is relieved by inverting extinguisher and squeezing the levers together
slowly (whilst pointing nozzle down and away).
3. Ensure your body/head is not directly over extinguisher. Loosen headcap, using nutring
spanner [Part Ref: HCS] (do not use hammer or other blunt instrument). Remove headcap
slowly, allowing residual pressure to escape through vent holes.
4. Empty residual liquid from extinguisher and rinse with clean water.
5. Inspect the internal lining for signs of detachment, cracks or corrosion. If found, remove
from service and replace.
6. Refill the cylinder to the correct level (making allowance for any additives, if applicable).
Then add foam concentrate/additives, ensuring manufacturers specifications are met.
7. Remove CO2cartridge and discard, inspect headcap and components, replacing any parts
that appear damaged or show signs of deterioration. Blow through nozzle whilst opening
and closing valve. If signs of blockage, rectify.
8. Fit safety pin and seal (in accordance with service colour code). Checkweigh replacement
CO2cartridge and fit to headcap, ensuring it is the correct size and type as supplied by the
manufacturer.
9. Fit new headcap 'O' ring and check nutring vent holes and refit headcap assembly to
extinguisher body using nutring spanner [Part Ref: HCS].
10. Record recharge details on service label, including new weight, and return extinguisher to
original position.