First-aid fire extinguishing equipment is for extinguishing incipient-stage fires

First-aid extinguishing equipment includes

• portable fire extinguishers,
• fire blankets,
• mobile fire extinguishing trolleys,
• fire hose reels for fixed installation in buildings, and
• other hand-held portable products designed for incipient-stage fires.

In accordance with the self-preparedness obligation laid down in the Rescue Act, buildings and public events must prepare for extinguishing fires. The determination and procurement of the necessary first-aid fire extinguishing equipment are the responsibility of the owner, occupant and operator of the building. Provisions on fire extinguishing have also been laid down in, for example, regulations concerning occupational safety and chemical safety.

Further provisions on the product requirements for portable fire extinguishers are laid down in the Decree of the Ministry of the Interior on Portable Fire Extinguishers. According to the Decree, new portable fire extinguishers must include information on the service interval of the extinguisher starting on 1 January 2026. The Decree also stipulates that the colour of portable fire extinguishers intended for domestic use may be a different colour than red. Portable fire extinguishers intended for domestic use must have a clear label in both Finnish and Swedish indicating that the extinguisher is intended for domestic use only. In other respects, portable fire extinguishers intended for domestic use do not differ from traditional red portable fire extinguishers. 

Portable fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced

The owner or holder of portable fire extinguishers shall ensure that the portable fire extinguisher is inspected regularly. The obligations to inspect and service portable fire extinguishers apply especially to portable fire extinguishers in public spaces and workplaces.

The obligations to inspect and service portable fire extinguishers do not apply to portable fire extinguishers acquired voluntarily for domestic use or other similar private use, such as for dwellings and holiday homes. However, in order to keep the portable fire extinguisher in working order, extinguishers purchased for homes should also be inspected regularly. Provisions on portable fire extinguishers in vehicles are laid down in the Water Traffic Act, for example.

The location of the portable fire extinguisher affects the inspection interval of the extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers located in dry environments with little temperature variation are inspected every two years, while portable fire extinguishers in other locations are inspected annually. According to the Water Traffic Act, portable fire extinguishers on boats are inspected annually. 

A portable fire extinguisher shall be serviced at intervals not exceeding 10 years, unless a shorter service frequency is marked on the extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers must also undergo a periodic inspection once every 11 years in accordance with the regulation concerning pressure equipment.

Portable fire extinguishers are inspected and serviced by fire extinguisher service companies that are entered in the register of the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).