Fire Extinguisher Technician Training
Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 - 3 Days - 19 CPD Hours - 50% Practical - Written and Practical Assessment
Book a Public Course - €575.00 Per Person
This course is available as a public scheduled course at €575.00 per person, open to individual bookings. The next course starts on 1 September 2026. View the course date and secure your place. Employees in the private healthcare sector may be eligible for subsidised training through LHP Skillnet.
Course Overview
This fire extinguisher technician training course gives structured instruction on I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022, the Irish Standard for portable fire extinguishers (PFEs). It includes practical training in commissioning and service/maintenance tasks across water, foam, powder, wet chemical and CO2 units. The three days run 44% theory, 50% practical and 6% assessment. You start with fire safety fundamentals and Irish legislation. During the course, you must demonstrate your ability to both commission and service portable fire extinguishers. The course concludes with an open-book multiple-choice assessment using negative marking, followed by one supervised individual practical assessment in either commissioning or service/maintenance. This course addresses the training component of competence under I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022. Competence also depends on relevant qualifications, practical experience, access to the correct tools and equipment, manufacturer information and the scope of work being undertaken.
Who Should Attend
No prior fire safety qualifications are required, although a basic understanding of fire safety principles is beneficial.
Fire Extinguisher Service Technicians
Technicians responsible for the commissioning, inspection, annual maintenance, and servicing of portable fire extinguishers to I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022.
Competent Persons (I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022)
Individuals carrying out or seeking to carry out PFE maintenance and commissioning as the designated competent person under the standard.
Fire Safety and Health & Safety Officers
Professionals managing fire safety compliance, risk assessment, and PFE provision across single or multiple sites.
Facilities, Building, and Property Managers
Staff overseeing PFE installation, placement, building maintenance, and fire safety contractor management.
Responsible Persons (I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022)
Those designated as the responsible person for fire safety provisions in premises, as defined by I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 and Irish fire safety legislation.
Healthcare Facility Managers
Managers in nursing homes, hospitals, and designated centres who must ensure PFE compliance under HIQA Regulation 28 and the 2025 Fire Safety Handbook.
Topics Covered
This three-day programme covers the complete I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 standard, from fire safety fundamentals through to advanced practical competence:
Need awareness-level training in extinguisher use instead? See our online Portable Fire Extinguisher course.
Fire triangle, classes of fire (I.S. EN 2), and fire spread mechanisms
Irish fire safety legislation: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
HIQA Regulation 28 and the 2025 Fire Safety Handbook
Clause-by-clause analysis of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 (Clauses 4 - 11, Annexes B - D)
PFE selection, commissioning, installation, and placement
Monthly visual inspection (Clause 8) and annual maintenance (Clause 9)
Maintenance of all 5 PFE types: water, foam, powder, CO₂, wet chemical
Discharge testing cycle and documentation requirements
8-step PFE risk assessment process
Why This Training Matters
Irish Compliance Context
Serious offences prosecuted on indictment under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 can attract a fine of up to €3,000,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Every employer, and anyone in control of a place of work, must ensure adequate fire safety measures. That includes properly maintained fire extinguishers.
Competent Person Requirement
I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 requires PFE maintenance and commissioning to be carried out by a "competent person" with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge. This course provides the training component of that competence requirement. If your organisation carries out PFE servicing, your technicians need this training.
HIQA Compliance
The HIQA 2025 Fire Safety Handbook explicitly requires portable fire extinguishers in designated centres to be maintained in accordance with I.S. 291:2015. If you manage a nursing home or healthcare facility, ensuring your PFE maintenance personnel are trained to this standard supports Regulation 28 compliance.
Why Choose This Fire Extinguisher Technician Training Course
Assessed Training Evidence
Receive evidence of successful written and practical assessment supporting the training element of competence under I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022.
19 CPD Hours
Complete 19 CPD hours on a course listed by the CPD Standards Office as an accredited activity.
Comprehensive I.S. 291 Technician Course
A structured course covering I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 with individual practical assessment.
Irish Compliance Context
Support records showing that PFE work is done by trained and assessed people. This lines up with Irish workplace fire safety duties and I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022.
HIQA Readiness
For healthcare providers, evidence that PFE maintenance personnel have completed I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 training directly supports HIQA Regulation 28 and the 2025 Fire Safety Handbook.
Build In-House Capacity
Train your technicians on-site using your own PFE stock. Build internal knowledge for better records, contractor oversight and routine extinguisher management.
What's Included
Every participant on this fire extinguisher technician training course receives:
- Comprehensive printed course handout for each participant, covering all three days of content
- 19 CPD Hours of structured learning across the three-day programme, including practical activities and assessment
- Two formal assessment components: Open-book multiple-choice assessment with negative marking plus one individually supervised practical assessment in either commissioning or service/maintenance
- Phoenix STS Certificate of Completion issued within 5 working days as a PDF, including participant name, course title, date, CPD hours, and instructor signature
- IIESMS Technician grade assistance - completion of this course supports your application for Technician grade membership of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Safety Management Systems
- Post-course email support from your course instructor for questions arising from workplace application of the training
- Renewal and refresher reminder service - we will notify you when your training is due for renewal
Three-Day Course Programme
A structured progression from fire safety fundamentals through to individually assessed practical competence.
Day 1: Fire Safety Fundamentals, Legislation, and PFE Introduction
The opening day covers the fire triangle, classes of fire, and fire spread. It then examines the legislative framework: the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, and the SHWW General Application Regulations. The session also addresses the Code of Practice for Ireland, healthcare-specific risks under HIQA Regulation 28, and the HIQA 2025 Fire Safety Handbook. Three practical sessions introduce PFE identification, colour coding, hands-on handling, and initial inspection procedures.
Day 2: I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 Standard, Installation, Maintenance, and Full Practical
Day 2 is a detailed clause-by-clause analysis of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022. It covers responsibilities (Clause 4), classification and PFE types (Clauses 5.2/5.5), selection across all fire classes (Clause 5), and commissioning (Clause 6). It then covers installation and placement (Clause 7), monthly visual inspection (Clause 8), and annual maintenance for all five PFE types (Clause 9). Three practical sessions cover decommissioning, inspection, selection, placement, and full maintenance procedures across water, foam, powder, CO₂, and wet chemical extinguishers.
Day 3: Risk Assessment, Examination, and Individual Practical Assessment
The final day covers refilling and recharging (Clause 10) and discharge testing (Clause 11). It also covers documentation and record keeping (Annex B), foam PFE considerations (Annex C), and safety information (Annex D). You will learn and apply the 8-step PFE risk assessment process through a group exercise. The day includes an open-book multiple-choice assessment using negative marking. One individually supervised practical assessment follows, covering either commissioning or service/maintenance.
Day 1: Fire Safety Fundamentals, Legislation, and PFE Introduction
The opening day covers the fire triangle, classes of fire, and fire spread. It then examines the legislative framework: the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, and the SHWW General Application Regulations. The session also addresses the Code of Practice for Ireland, healthcare-specific risks under HIQA Regulation 28, and the HIQA 2025 Fire Safety Handbook. Three practical sessions introduce PFE identification, colour coding, hands-on handling, and initial inspection procedures.
Day 2: I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 Standard, Installation, Maintenance, and Full Practical
Day 2 is a detailed clause-by-clause analysis of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022. It covers responsibilities (Clause 4), classification and PFE types (Clauses 5.2/5.5), selection across all fire classes (Clause 5), and commissioning (Clause 6). It then covers installation and placement (Clause 7), monthly visual inspection (Clause 8), and annual maintenance for all five PFE types (Clause 9). Three practical sessions cover decommissioning, inspection, selection, placement, and full maintenance procedures across water, foam, powder, CO₂, and wet chemical extinguishers.
Day 3: Risk Assessment, Examination, and Individual Practical Assessment
The final day covers refilling and recharging (Clause 10) and discharge testing (Clause 11). It also covers documentation and record keeping (Annex B), foam PFE considerations (Annex C), and safety information (Annex D). You will learn and apply the 8-step PFE risk assessment process through a group exercise. The day includes an open-book multiple-choice assessment using negative marking. One individually supervised practical assessment follows, covering either commissioning or service/maintenance.
Fire Extinguisher Technician Training Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this fire extinguisher technician training course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the legislative basis for PFE provision under Irish law. This covers the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, and the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003.
- Identify the scope, key definitions, and verbal forms (shall, should, may, can) of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022, and describe the responsibilities of the Responsible Person and Competent Person under Clause 4.
- Classify fires according to I.S. EN 2 (Classes A, B, C, D, and F) and select appropriate PFE types. Calculate the minimum PFE provision for Class A risks using the 0.065 × floor area formula (Clause 5.3.1.1).
- Commission PFEs in accordance with Clause 6. Install them to Clause 7 requirements for travel distance (30m Class A, 20m Class B) and mounting height (1.5m for 4kg and under, 1.0m for over 4kg).
- Conduct monthly visual inspections using the Clause 8 checklist and implement corrective actions as required.
- Carry out annual maintenance under Clause 9 for water, foam, powder, wet chemical, and CO₂ PFEs, including stored pressure and gas cartridge types. Identify when pressure testing is required (CO₂ PFEs and gas cartridges over 10 years).
- Describe the 3-year discharge testing cycle (Clause 11), including the one-third rotation system and off-site testing requirements.
- Complete and maintain the four mandatory documents required by Annex B: Maintenance Label/Record, Competent Person's Report, Certificate of Inspection/Maintenance, and Fire Safety Register.
- Apply the 8-step PFE risk assessment process to determine PFE selection, placement, and documentation for a given premises.
- Demonstrate both commissioning and service/maintenance procedures during the course and complete an individual practical assessment in one of those two areas.
Assessment and Certification
Two Mandatory Assessment Components
- Written Assessment: 60-minute, open-book assessment comprising 25 multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer adds 4 percentage points, each incorrect answer deducts 1 percentage point, and an unanswered question does not affect the score. The pass mark is 70% after negative marking.
- Practical Assessment - Commissioning or Service/Maintenance: Supervised individual practical assessment in one of the two areas. Graded pass/fail against a standardised marking sheet.
- If remedial instruction is needed: A participant who is unsuccessful on the first practical route receives remedial instruction before being assessed using the other route.
A participant must pass both the written assessment and the practical assessment to complete the course.
Certification
Participants who pass both assessment components receive a Phoenix STS Certificate of Completion, issued within 5 working days as a PDF. The certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue and records the participant's name, course title, completion date, 19 CPD hours and instructor signature.
Phoenix STS is CPD Standards Office provider 22657. The Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 is listed by the CPD Standards Office as an accredited activity and carries 19 CPD hours. The programme is recognised by the IIESMS and successful completion may support an application for Technician grade membership.
Our Instructors
This fire extinguisher technician training course is delivered by a team of six qualified instructors, all employees of Phoenix STS Ltd. Together they bring over 150 years of experience across fire engineering, occupational health and safety, fire service operations, and adult education.
The team holds degrees in fire engineering and higher diplomas in health and safety. It also holds ISO 45001 Lead Auditor certification and formal teaching qualifications (QQI Level 6 Training Delivery and Evaluation).
Professional Body Memberships
Our instructors hold membership of the following professional bodies: IIESMS, IOSH, IIRSM, IFSM, IFE, IHEEM, NFPA, FIAI, and NFRAR.
Ready to Book Fire Extinguisher Technician Training?
Book your place on a public course or request a quotation for on-site delivery at your premises anywhere in Ireland.
Places are limited to 20 per course. The next public course starts on 1 September 2026.
What You Need to Bring
Participants must bring the extinguishers and equipment required for the practical sessions. Phoenix STS does not sell or supply toolkits or other equipment and does not provide or bring extinguishers for this course. We are currently working with an Irish company that will be able to provide suitable toolkits where needed; details will be provided once the arrangement is finalised. Extinguishers will not be discharged, refilled or pressure-tested during the course.
I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022
Your own copy of the standard (hardcopy or PDF) from the NSAI Standards Store. Referenced throughout all three days of content and assessments. This is mandatory.
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Your own PFEs with manufacturer technical information (service manual, technical data sheet, spare parts list) as required by I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 for maintenance.
Servicing Tools
Adjustable spanner, headcap removal spanner, combination spanner, strap wrench, locking pliers, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, allen keys, rubber mallet, wire brush, and O-ring tool.
Inspection Equipment
Digital scales (minimum 25kg capacity, 0.01kg increments), push-pump gauge tester (Wika type or equivalent), gauge test pin tool, and inspection torch.
Consumables and Spare Parts
Assorted O-ring kit, gauge dots (year indicators), tamper-evident seals, corrective action labels, maintenance labels, silicone grease or petroleum jelly, and clean cloths.
Personal Protective Equipment
Safety glasses or goggles (EN 166 rated), work gloves suitable for mechanical handling, and ear defenders. Required for all practical sessions.
Technician Training and Competence
Training is one part of competence
A technical course can provide structured instruction, assessment and practical exercises. Competence also depends on supervised experience, the correct tools, current standards, manufacturer information, suitable records and the employer's own quality controls. The course should not be read as proof that every attendee is ready to work without supervision in every situation.
Why the practical element matters
Extinguisher work is not just a paperwork exercise. Technicians need to understand extinguisher types, locations, labels, weights, pressure indications, damage and suitability. They also need to know commissioning checks, maintenance records, and when an item should be queried or removed from service. Practical handling and record completion help make the training more useful than a classroom-only briefing.
Working within scope
Participants should leave with a clearer understanding of what they can do, what needs further experience, and when to seek advice. Buildings with unusual risks, specialist extinguishing media or complex client requirements may need additional guidance. Good technicians know the limits of their training as well as the steps they are expected to follow.
Related Fire Safety Training
Useful Phoenix STS pages connected to this course.
Fire Safety Awareness Training
General fire safety awareness training for staff across Irish workplaces.
Fire Safety Managers Course
Training for staff managing checks, records and routine fire safety controls.
Supporting guidance for fire safety training frequency
Irish fire-safety guidance does not set one fixed course duration or refresher cycle for every workplace. Phoenix STS sets the training length and review period by looking at the role, building type, evacuation strategy, staff duties, fire risk assessment and whether practical exercises are needed.
The links below support the training decision by showing the wider Irish expectations around fire risk management, emergency escape, fire prevention and staff duties. Higher-risk workplaces, healthcare settings and premises with complex evacuation arrangements may need more frequent training or drills than a lower-risk office.
Useful guidance links
Frequently Asked Questions
Content reviewed July 2026.
No formal fire safety qualification is required. A basic understanding of fire safety is helpful, but the course builds from fundamentals before moving into I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022, practical checks and assessment.
It is the Irish Standard for the selection, commissioning, installation, inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. The course uses it as the main technical reference for the programme.
The course provides structured training and assessment evidence. Competence also depends on experience, supervision, tools, current information, records and the employer's own quality controls.
The course is available as scheduled public training or as on-site delivery for suitable groups. On-site practical sessions can use the organisation's own extinguisher stock and equipment.
The written assessment contains 25 open-book multiple-choice questions and lasts 60 minutes. Each correct answer adds 4 percentage points, each incorrect answer deducts 1 percentage point, and an unanswered question does not affect the score. The pass mark is 70% after negative marking. A participant needs at least 18 correct answers; with 18 correct, no more than two answers may be incorrect and the remaining answers must be left unanswered. A participant who answers all 25 questions needs at least 19 correct answers. Participants must also pass one individual practical assessment, in either commissioning or service/maintenance, to complete the course.
Participants need their own copy of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022, suitable extinguishers, servicing tools, inspection equipment, consumables and PPE. Phoenix STS does not supply or bring these items. We are currently working with an Irish company that will be able to provide suitable toolkits where needed; details will be provided once the arrangement is finalised. Extinguishers will not be discharged, refilled or pressure-tested during the course.
Yes. It is relevant where healthcare providers need better oversight of extinguisher provision, maintenance records and competent-person arrangements. It supports, but does not replace, the provider's wider fire safety management system.
The Phoenix STS Certificate of Completion is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.