New performance-based standard for fire extinguishers

It’s time manufacturers of fire extinguishers shift from specification-based products to performance-based products to sustain and grow its market.

The new BIS standard (IS: 15683) is similar to the standards being followed in most developed countries, say sources.

According to Mr Sandeep Deshpande, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Gunnebo India Pvt Ltd, the market for fire extinguishers remained fragmented till the advent of new performance-based standards early this year.

“Since the earlier BIS standards were specification-based, most of the manufacturers in this space did not consciously focus on quality.’’

“The new standards require investments in R&D and manufacturing; this in turn is expected to put pressure on local manufacturers. This development will, however, open up new avenues for the authorised licence holders to increase their market share and explore new markets,’’ Mr Deshpande said.

Integrated security solutions provider Gunnebo India has acquired licences from the Bureau of Indian Standards for its Minimax brand of fire extinguishers.

“This license is expected to further strengthen Gunnebo’s market position. The new standards will cover the entire range of portable extinguishers. These extinguishers are manufactured at Gunnebo’s plant at Halol,’’ he said.

(Gunnebo India is a subsidiary of Gunnebo AB Group, Sweden, a leading supplier of integrated security solutions).

He further pointed out that due to the rising number of corporate parks, complexes and shopping malls, cities and towns were becoming more congested and prone to accidents. Implementation of the new standards, sources perceive, would help extinguish fire at the incipient stage.

There are four types of fire extinguishers such as water-foam, dry powder, carbon-dioxide and clean agent-based fire extinguishers “depending on the application, the customer can choose from these options’’, he said.

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