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IS 2171:1999 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for portable fire extinguishers, dry powder (cartridge type). This standard specifies the requirements for material, design, construction, anti-corrosive treatment, and performance testing of cartridge-type dry powder portable fire extinguishers. It has been largely superseded by IS 15683 for new manufacturing but remains important for maintaining legacy equipment.
Specification for portable fire extinguishers, dry powder (cartridge type)
EN 3-7:2004+A1:2007CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Portable fire extinguishers - Part 7: Characteristics, performance requirements and test methods
Specifies performance requirements, test methods, and fire ratings for portable fire extinguishers, including dry powder types.
ISO 7165:2017ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Portable fire extinguishers — Performance and construction
Provides requirements for the performance and construction of all types of portable fire extinguishers, including cartridge-operated models.
AS/NZS 1841.5:2007Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand
HighCurrent
Portable fire extinguishers - Part 5: Specific requirements for powder type extinguishers
Covers specific design, construction, and performance requirements solely for dry powder portable fire extinguishers.
UL 299Underwriters Laboratories (US)
MediumCurrent
Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers
Covers construction and performance requirements for US market approval, but with significantly different rating systems and test methods.
Key Differences
≠The fire rating system in IS 2171 (e.g., '2A', '21B') differs in test fire size and methodology from the European EN 3 system (e.g., '13A', '89B') and is substantially different from the American UL rating system (e.g., '2-A:10-B:C').
≠IS 2171 specifies fixed operating temperature ranges based on powder type (0°C to +55°C for BC powder). In contrast, EN 3-7 requires extinguishers to be tested and marked for specific temperature classes (e.g., -30°C to +60°C), providing more performance-based flexibility.
≠For larger capacity models (around 9-10 kg), IS 2171 mandates a longer minimum effective discharge time (≥ 25 seconds for 10 kg) compared to EN 3-7 (≥ 15 seconds for 9 kg).
≠IS 2171 specifically covers cartridge-type extinguishers, which are common in India. While international standards like EN 3 cover both cartridge and stored-pressure types, the market prevalence and some specific test details in Europe and North America are heavily focused on stored-pressure models.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate that a minimum of 85% of the nominal powder charge must be expelled during the effective discharge time, ensuring operational efficiency.
≈The requirement for a safety device, typically a safety pin or clip, to prevent accidental discharge is a universal feature across all compared standards.
≈All standards require the extinguisher cylinder to undergo a hydrostatic pressure test (typically at 2.5 to 3.0 times the working pressure) to verify its structural integrity and safety.
≈The chemical composition of the extinguishing agents is globally consistent, with mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) used for ABC fires and sodium/potassium bicarbonate-based powders used for BC fires.
≈All standards require the extinguisher body and components to be made of corrosion-resistant materials or be treated with protective coatings, often verified via a salt spray test.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Charge Discharged
≥ 85%
≥ 85%
EN 3-7:2004+A1:2007
Minimum Discharge Time (9/10 kg model)
≥ 25 seconds (for 10 kg)
≥ 15 seconds (for 9 kg)
EN 3-7:2004+A1:2007
Body Hydrostatic Test Pressure
3.0 MPa (approx. 30 bar)
Calculated based on max pressure (PS), but not less than 2.7 MPa (27 bar) for extinguishers with N2 or air cartridges.
EN 3-8:2006
Standard Operating Temperature (BC Powder)
0°C to +55°C
No standard range; must be tested and marked with a specific range (e.g., -20°C to +60°C).
EN 3-7:2004+A1:2007
Body Colour
Fire Red or Post Office Red (Shade 536 of IS 5)
Red (e.g., RAL 3000)
EN 3-7:2004+A1:2007
Agent Identification Colour
Blue band, 100 ± 10 mm wide
Blue panel (RAL 5002)
EN 3-7:2004+A1:2007
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use