The <ew national standard for fire extinguishers GB4351-2023 >>will be implemented on January 1, 2025. Let us analyze and learn the main contents and requirements of the new revision.
*01 Appearance:Unified color of fire extinguisher bottles
In terms of appearance, the old standard recommended red for fire extinguisher bottles, but it wasn't mandatory, resulting in a wide variety of colors on the market.
The new standard mandates that all fire extinguisher bottles must be bright red (R03), as specified in GB/T3181. Consequently, blue, black, green, and yellow fire extinguishers will no longer be available.
*02 Model numbering: Applicable fire classes reflected in the model
The new standard no longer adopts the fire extinguisher model numbering method of the old standard, but introduces a new one.
The most significant feature of the new fire extinguisher model numbering method is that the fire class code for the extinguisher is directly reflected in the model number. For example, the original model number of a 2kg portable CO₂ fire extinguisher was MT/2, but the new model number will become MT/BE2. This model number indicates that the extinguisher is only suitable for extinguishing Class B and Class E fires.
*03 Valve: Structural improvement
According to the latest standards, the structure of fire extinguisher valves needs to be upgraded. Valves equipped with pressure gauges must be designed with a gas core structure that prevents leakage when the pressure gauge is removed. This improvement aims to improve maintenance convenience and ensuring product safety .
*04: Removal of the requirement for luminous signs
The old standard required fire extinguishers to have luminous signs to indicate their location in the dark. Therefore, many manufacturers installed luminous nameplates or luminous plastic rings at the mouth of fire extinguishers.
The new standard has removed this requirement, and the green illuminated plastic ring on the necks of fire extinguisher bottles will no longer be used.
*05 Discharge hose: Supplementary requirements for length
The old standard stipulated that the length of the hose for fire extinguishers with a filling capacity greater than 3kg or 3L should not be less than 400mm.
On the basis of the old standard, the new standard further stipulates that if fire extinguishers with a filling capacity not more than 3kg or 3L are equipped with a discharge pipe, the length of the pipe should not be less than 250mm. The new standard also stipulates that the length of the discharge hose for carbon dioxide fire extinguishers should not be less than 650mm.
*06: Operating temperature range of fire extinguishers
The new fire extinguisher standard expands the maximum operating temperature range of fire extinguishers from the original 55℃ to 60℃ compared with the old standard.
The operating temperature ranges of fire extinguishers in the new and old standards are as follows:
Significance of implementation:
● Improving product quality: Encouraging companies to improve production processes and quality control, enhancing the reliability, safety, and firefighting effectiveness of fire extinguishers and better responding to various fires.
● Standardizing market order: Providing a clear basis for market supervision, eliminating products that do not meet the new standards, cracking down on counterfeit and shoddy products, maintaining fair market competition, and safeguarding the rights and interests of consumers.
● Adapting to new fire protection needs: The newly added requirements related to Class D and Class F fires enable fire extinguishers to better serve the complex and diverse fire protection needs of modern society.
