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What Fire Extinguisher Do I Need for a Coffee Van?

by Shahana
(Rugby)

Sky blue converted coffee van serving a queue of customers at a UK town market on a bright morning

Sky blue converted coffee van serving a queue of customers at a UK town market on a bright morning

Hello All,

I've got my van converted into a coffee van, I believe I need to have a fire extinguisher installed for compliance.
What kind of fire extinguisher(water/Co2/Foam) , and how big I should have ?

Any guidance is welcomed..
Many thanks
Shahana

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by: MobCater

Shahana, well done on getting the van converted. A fire extinguisher is easy to leave until last, but it is one of the first things an event organiser or EHO looks for when they step on board.

The law does not name one particular extinguisher. It asks for a fire risk assessment. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the person running the business has to look at what could catch fire and put the right kit in place. For a coffee van that is a short job, because your main risks are the electrics and, if you have one, the LPG supply.

That rules out water and most foam extinguishers. Water and electrics do not mix, and you have a coffee machine, a grinder, a fridge and maybe a generator lead all in a small space. For a coffee van I would carry a 2kg CO2 extinguisher. It is the right type for electrical fires and leaves no residue on your machine or your stock. If your coffee machine or water boiler runs on gas, add a 2kg dry powder (ABC) extinguisher as well, because that is the type most event organisers expect to see where there is LPG. Powder makes a real mess in a small van, so save it for a genuine emergency. Then add a fire blanket, which costs around £10 and is the quickest thing to grab.

Where you put them matters as much as which ones you buy. Mount them on brackets by the door, so you reach for them on your way out rather than reaching past the fire. Keep them off the floor, where they get kicked and wet.

Expect to pay roughly £30 to £50 for each extinguisher. Check the pressure gauge every month and have them serviced once a year by a BAFE registered fire safety company. Plenty of events ask to see the service date on the label before they let you trade, so keep a record of it with your gas certificate and insurance.

If you ever add a fryer, the rules change. Hot oil needs a wet chemical extinguisher, because a CO2 or powder one can spread burning fat.

One tip from experience. Write your fire risk assessment down, even if it is only one page. It takes about half an hour, and you will be asked for it more often than you expect.

All the best

David

Disclaimer: This is based on my experience in UK mobile catering. Rules and costs can change, so always do your own research and check with the relevant authorities before committing.

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