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IS 13849:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for portable fire extinguisher dry powder type (constant pressure). This standard specifies the requirements for portable, stored pressure dry powder fire extinguishers, commonly known as ABC or BC type. It covers materials, construction, performance, testing methods, and marking for extinguishers of various capacities. The standard's goal is to ensure these life-saving devices are reliable and effective against Class A, B, and C fires.
Specification for portable fire extinguisher dry powder type (constant pressure)
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
dry powdersteelnitrogenbrass
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
EN 3-7:2004+A1:2007CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Portable fire extinguishers - Part 7: Characteristics, performance requirements and test methods
Defines performance requirements, test methods, and rating systems for portable extinguishers, including dry powder types.
ISO 7165:2017ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
HighCurrent
Fire fighting — Portable fire extinguishers — Performance and construction
Specifies rules for the design, construction, and performance testing of portable fire extinguishers, covering dry powder types.
UL 299Underwriters Laboratories (UL), USA
MediumCurrent
Standard for Safety for Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers
Covers construction and performance requirements specifically for dry chemical extinguishers intended for the North American market.
AS/NZS 1841.5:2007Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
HighCurrent
Portable fire extinguishers - Part 5: Specific requirements for powder type extinguishers
Provides specific requirements for powder-type portable fire extinguishers, complementing general requirements in Part 1.
Key Differences
≠The fire rating system in IS 13849 (e.g., 2A, 21B) uses a different scale and test fire construction than the European EN 3 standard (e.g., 13A, 89B), meaning ratings are not directly comparable.
≠IS 13849 specifies a standard operating temperature range of -10°C to +55°C, whereas EN 3-7 and ISO 7165 typically require a wider range, such as -20°C to +60°C or even -30°C to +60°C.
≠The external corrosion resistance test (salt spray) is less stringent in the Indian standard, requiring 240 hours, compared to 480 hours required by the EN 3 standard.
≠IS 13849 requires specific color coding with a blue band on a red body for powder types, while EN 3 allows a blue color panel/label on a red body, a subtle but distinct visual difference.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate a stored-pressure design where the extinguisher body is permanently pressurized with an expellant gas (typically nitrogen).
≈All standards require the extinguisher to be fitted with a pressure gauge to provide a visual indication of the internal pressure status.
≈The fundamental construction requirements for the extinguisher body, including the use of welded steel cylinders and corrosion-resistant coatings, are conceptually similar across all standards.
≈Performance testing includes similar core tests such as minimum effective discharge time, discharge range, and the ability to extinguish standardized test fires (though the specifics of the fires differ).
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Body Hydrostatic Test Pressure
3.0 MPa or 2.5 times max working pressure, whichever is higher.
Test pressure (Pt) is calculated based on max pressure at 60°C (Pmax at 60); typically Pt ≥ 1.43 x Pmax at 60.
EN 3-7
Operating Temperature Range (Standard)
-10°C to +55°C
-20°C to +60°C (or lower)
EN 3-7
Minimum Effective Discharge Time (6 kg capacity)
≥ 15 seconds
≥ 15 seconds (for an extinguisher with a rating > 10A or > 144B)
EN 3-7
External Corrosion Test (Salt Spray)
240 hours
480 hours
EN 3-7
Hose Assembly Burst Pressure
Withstand 2.0 MPa or 1.5 times working pressure.
Withstand pressure equal to the body test pressure (Pt), which is significantly higher.
EN 3-8
Minimum Degree of Fill
Not explicitly defined as 'degree of fill', but by mass tolerance (e.g., +/- 2% for >2kg).
The mass of the extinguishing agent must be at least 95% of the nominal charge.
ISO 7165:2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Hydrostatic Test Pressure3.0 MPa
Minimum Burst Pressure4.5 MPa
Minimum Percentage of Discharge85%
Minimum Effective Discharge Time (5/6 kg)15 s
Minimum Effective Discharge Time (1/2 kg)8 s
Typical Service Pressure1.5 MPa
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Performance Requirements for Extinguishers
What types of fire can an ABC powder extinguisher be used on?+
It is suitable for Class A (solid combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids), and Class C (gaseous/electrical) fires, as specified in the scope.
What is the test pressure for the cylinder?+
The cylinder must be hydrostatically tested to a pressure of 3.0 MPa (30 kgf/cm²) for 2.5 minutes without leakage (Clause 9.2).
What is the minimum discharge time for a 2 kg extinguisher?+
The minimum effective discharge time is 8 seconds for a 1 kg or 2 kg capacity extinguisher (Table 1).
What does 'constant pressure' or 'stored pressure' mean?+
It means the extinguisher body is constantly pressurized with an expellant gas (like nitrogen) and is ready for immediate use, unlike cartridge-operated models (Clause 1.2).