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IS 14951:2001 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire extinguisher - 135 litres capacity mechanical foam type. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, construction, performance, and testing of 135-litre capacity wheeled mechanical foam fire extinguishers. These are used for fighting large Class A and Class B fires in high-risk environments like industrial plants and aircraft hangars.
Fire Extinguisher - 135 Litres Capacity Mechanical Foam Type
! This standard has been superseded by IS 16018:2012. For new manufacturing or procurement, IS 16018 should be referred to.
! These are large, trolley-mounted units requiring at least two trained persons for effective operation.
! Ensure the correct type of foam concentrate (as per IS 4989) is used for refilling, appropriate for the specific fire risks (e.g., AFFF for flammable liquid spills).
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
steelfoam concentraterubber hosebrass
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ISO 11601:2017ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
HighCurrent
Fire fighting — Wheeled fire extinguishers — Performance and construction
Direct international counterpart covering construction, performance, and testing of wheeled fire extinguishers.
EN 1866-1:2007CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Mobile fire extinguishers - Part 1: Characteristics, performance and test methods
European standard for mobile/wheeled extinguishers, technically harmonized with ISO 11601.
AS/NZS 1850:2009Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
MediumCurrent
Portable fire extinguishers - Classification, rating and performance testing
Covers performance testing and rating for extinguishers, including wheeled units, though construction is in AS/NZS 1841 series.
NFPA 10NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), USA
LowCurrent
Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
Primarily covers selection, installation, and maintenance; references UL standards for construction and performance.
Key Differences
≠The IS code specifies a fixed 135-litre capacity, while international standards like ISO 11601 cover a range of capacities (e.g., 50L, 100L, 150L) and link requirements to performance ratings rather than a single volume.
≠IS 14951 mandates a single 40B fire test. ISO/EN standards use a graduated fire rating system (e.g., 144B, 233B) where a larger rating signifies superior performance on a larger test fire, making it performance-based.
≠Pressure test requirements differ significantly. IS 14951 specifies a fixed hydrostatic test at 2.5 MPa, whereas EN 1866-1 requires a test pressure calculated based on the maximum service pressure at 60°C (PT = 1.43 x PMS), which is often a more stringent requirement.
≠IS 14951 specifies a minimum throw of 15 metres. International standards do not typically specify a minimum throw in metres; instead, effective application is implicitly proven by successfully extinguishing the large-scale fire test.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are intended for wheeled, mobile foam-type fire extinguishers designed for fighting Class B (flammable liquid) fires, and often Class A fires.
≈The fundamental design principle, using a gas cartridge (or stored pressure) to expel a foam-water solution through a hose and nozzle to create mechanical foam, is common across all standards.
≈All standards require the extinguisher body to be made from corrosion-resistant materials, typically welded mild or stainless steel, and mandate a suite of type tests including pressure, performance, and operational checks.
≈Marking requirements are conceptually similar, mandating clear identification of the extinguisher type, capacity, instructions for use, fire class suitability, and manufacturer details.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Nominal Capacity
135 Litres (fixed)
Variable size range (e.g., 50L, 100L, 150L); performance-based rating.
ISO 11601:2017
Fire Performance Rating
40B (3.71 m² petrol fire)
Performance-based rating (e.g., 233B for a ~100L unit), which is a 7.32 m² heptane fire.
EN 1866-1:2007
Body Hydrostatic Test Pressure
2.5 MPa
Calculated value, e.g., 1.43 x Max Service Pressure (PMS), typically resulting in a higher test pressure.
EN 1866-1:2007
Body Burst Pressure (Minimum)
4.5 MPa
Calculated value (e.g., 2.7 x PMS) but not less than 5.5 MPa.
ISO 11601:2017
Minimum Effective Discharge Time
180 seconds
Depends on fire rating achieved (e.g., ≥ 60 seconds for a 233B rating).
ISO 11601:2017
Minimum Throw (Jet Length)
15 metres
Not specified; performance is demonstrated by passing the fire test.
EN 1866-1:2007
Operating Temperature Range
+5 °C to +55 °C
Standard range is typically +5 °C to +60 °C, with specific classes for low temperatures.
EN 1866-1:2007
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use