P50 extinguishers are built differently from traditional steel extinguishers. They don't need an annual engineer service, and they last up to 20 years.

What Makes Them Different?

  • Composite body – made from an Aramid (Kevlar-type) composite cylinder with a plastic outer cover, similar to the cylinders used in fire service breathing apparatus. It won't corrode, and it's lighter than steel.
  • Approved – BSI Kitemarked to BS EN 3, the same product standard as traditional extinguishers.
  • Two pressure gauges – the second one checks the first.

Types Available

  • Water mist
  • Fluorine-free foam
  • Powder
  • Wet chemical (Class F), for kitchens
  • AVD (aqueous vermiculite dispersion), for lithium-ion battery fires

There's no CO2 version.

How They're Maintained

Because British Standard BS 5306-3 hasn't caught up with this type of extinguisher, P50s follow the manufacturer's own system instead:

  • Every month – the same quick visual check as any extinguisher. See Monthly Checks You Can Do Yourself.
  • Every year – a simple check by a competent person in your organisation: gauges in the green, pin and tamper tag in place, then use the magnet supplied to check the gauge moves and reads correctly, check the date stud and sign the unit.
  • At 10 years – a factory refurbishment.
  • At 20 years – replacement.

This still meets the law. Fire safety law across the UK requires extinguishers to be kept under a suitable system of maintenance and in good working order – it doesn't say they must be serviced to BS 5306-3. Following the manufacturer's maintenance system, and recording the checks, is how you meet that duty with P50s.

Benefits

  • A long-term, money-saving investment – a higher price up front, but no annual engineer visits over the extinguisher's life.
  • Usually no need for a separate CO2 – the water mist and fluorine-free foam models have nozzles that have passed the dielectric test, so they're safe if the spray accidentally reaches live electrical equipment. A CO2 is only needed where it's truly necessary, such as next to server rooms or large electrical installations.
  • No discharge test at 5 years.
  • The manufacturer says they're fully recyclable.

Worth remembering… your fire risk assessment is what decides what your premises need. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.

Not sure what you need? Get in touch with our team – we'll be delighted to help. No pressure. No sales patter.