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IS 13386:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire extinguisher 50-litre capacity, mechanical foam type. This standard specifies the requirements for material, construction, performance, and testing of 50-litre capacity mechanical foam type fire extinguishers. These are typically trolley-mounted units used for fighting Class A and Class B fires, common in industrial and high-risk environments.
Specification for fire extinguisher 50-litre capacity, mechanical foam type
EN 1866-1:2007+A1:2017CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Mobile fire extinguishers - Part 1: Characteristics, performance and test methods
Directly covers wheeled/mobile foam extinguishers, including 50-litre capacity models.
NFPA 10, 2022 EditionNational Fire Protection Association, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
Covers requirements for wheeled foam extinguishers, though with a different rating and approval system.
ISO 7165:1999International Organization for Standardization, International
LowWithdrawn
Fire fighting — Portable fire extinguishers — Performance and construction
General standard for portable extinguishers; principles are relevant but it did not focus on large wheeled units.
Key Differences
≠The fire rating systems differ significantly. IS 13386 specifies a fixed rating (4A, 60B), whereas EN 1866-1 and NFPA 10 use a performance-based rating determined by extinguishing standardized test fires of varying sizes, often resulting in higher ratings for a 50L unit (e.g., 55A, IV B under EN 1866-1).
≠Certification and approval processes are distinct. IS 13386 requires BIS certification (ISI Mark), while EN 1866-1 requires CE marking and third-party verification, and NFPA 10 requires listing and labeling by a recognized laboratory like UL or FM Global.
≠The specified operating temperature range in IS 13386 is +5°C to +55°C. European and American standards often allow for a wider range (e.g., 0°C to +60°C for standard EN models) and require the specific range to be clearly marked on the extinguisher.
≠IS 13386 is highly prescriptive about construction, specifying the exact material (mild steel sheet to IS 513) and thickness. International standards like EN 1866-1 are more performance-oriented, allowing for different materials provided they pass stringent pressure and corrosion tests.
Key Similarities
≈All standards specify the use of mechanical foam (such as AFFF or FFFP) as the agent for combating Class A (solids) and Class B (flammable liquid) fires.
≈The fundamental design concept is consistent across all standards, comprising a main body/cylinder, an expellant gas source (cartridge or stored pressure), a hose and nozzle assembly, and a wheeled carriage for mobility.
≈All standards mandate performance testing on standardized test fires (e.g., wood crib for Class A, liquid pan for Class B) to verify the extinguisher's effectiveness, even though the test protocols and rating scales vary.
≈IS 13386, EN 1866-1, and NFPA 10 all include specific requirements for wheeled extinguishers, acknowledging their unique characteristics compared to smaller, hand-portable units.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Nominal Capacity
50 Litres
50 Litres is a standard size covered within the scope
EN 1866-1
Minimum Discharge Time
60 seconds
60 seconds (for foam extinguishers with a charge > 45 L)
EN 1866-1
Minimum Throw
6 metres
Not specified as a single value; performance is based on extinguishing the test fire. A throw of 6-10m is typical.
EN 1866-1
Body Hydrostatic Test Pressure
3.0 MN/m² (30 bar)
Calculated based on max. working pressure (PS). Typically PT = 1.43 x PS, resulting in ~25-27 bar.
EN 1866-1
Operating Temperature Range
+5°C to +55°C
Typically 0°C to +60°C (must be marked on the extinguisher)
EN 1866-1
Specified Fire Rating
4A, 60B
Determined by test; a 50L foam unit would typically achieve a higher rating (e.g., 55A, IV B)
EN 1866-1
Expellant Gas Cartridge (CO2)
300 g
Size is determined by manufacturer to meet performance tests, not prescriptively defined.
EN 1866-1 / NFPA 10
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use