The Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 Course
Ireland’s only comprehensive training course covering the complete I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 for the selection, commissioning, installation, inspection, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. 3 days, 50% practical, assessed.
The Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 is the only course in Ireland that delivers both full clause-by-clause instruction on the Irish Standard for portable fire extinguishers (PFEs) and hands-on practical assessment of commissioning and maintenance competence across all five PFE types: water, foam, powder, wet chemical, and CO2. While basic fire extinguisher awareness courses and manufacturer-specific product training exist, neither provides the comprehensive competence required by I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 for a “competent person” to select, commission, install, inspect, maintain, and document PFEs.
The programme is built around Irish legislation, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, and the HIQA 2025 Fire Safety Handbook requirements for designated centres under Regulation 28. Participants must have their own copy of the standard, which can be purchased from the NSAI Standards Store.
Why This Course Matters
Legal Compliance
Non-compliance with fire safety legislation can result in fines up to €3,000,000, enforcement action, or imprisonment under the SHWWA 2005.
Competent Person Status
I.S. 291 requires PFE maintenance to be carried out by a competent person. This course provides the training fire extinguisher technicians need to fulfil that role.
HIQA Compliance
The HIQA 2025 Fire Safety Handbook explicitly requires PFEs in designated centres to be maintained per I.S. 291:2015.
Who Should Attend
No prior fire safety qualifications are required, although a basic understanding of fire safety principles is beneficial.
What You Will Learn
Day 1: Fire Safety Fundamentals, Legislation, and PFE Introduction
The opening day covers the fire triangle, classes of fire, and fire spread, before examining the legislative framework including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, 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 Standard, Installation, Maintenance, and Full Practical
Day 2 is a detailed clause-by-clause analysis of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022, covering responsibilities (Clause 4), classification and PFE types (Clauses 5.2/5.5), selection across all fire classes (Clause 5), commissioning (Clause 6), 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 Assessments
The final day covers refilling and recharging (Clause 10), discharge testing (Clause 11), 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 concludes with a 60-minute open-book written examination (80% pass mark) and two individually supervised practical assessments covering commissioning and service/maintenance.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion, participants will be able to:
- Explain the legislative basis for PFE provision under Irish law, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, 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), select appropriate PFE types, and calculate the minimum PFE provision for Class A risks using the 0.065 x floor area formula (Clause 5.3.1.1).
- Commission PFEs in accordance with Clause 6 and install them to meet travel distance requirements (30m Class A, 20m Class B) and mounting height requirements (1.5m for 4kg and under, 1.0m for over 4kg) under Clause 7.
- Conduct monthly visual inspections using the Clause 8 checklist and implement corrective actions as required.
- Carry out annual maintenance procedures for water, foam, powder, wet chemical, and CO2 PFEs under Clause 9, including stored pressure and gas cartridge types, and 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 practical competence in the commissioning and service/maintenance of portable fire extinguishers across all five PFE types.
Benefits
Professional Competence
Gain assessed evidence of your capability as a “competent person” under I.S. 291 across all five PFE types.
CPD Recognition
Earn 19 CPD hours (accreditation awaiting approval), contributing to professional development requirements with IOSH, IIRSM, IFE, and other bodies.
Career Advancement
As the only comprehensive I.S. 291 course in Ireland, completion distinguishes you from those with only basic fire extinguisher awareness training.
Regulatory Compliance
Demonstrate that PFE maintenance is carried out by trained, assessed competent persons, meeting SHWWA 2005, Fire Services Acts, and I.S. 291 requirements.
HIQA Readiness
For healthcare providers, evidence that PFE maintenance personnel have completed I.S. 291 training supports Regulation 28 compliance and inspection preparedness.
In-House Capacity
Train your staff on-site with practical sessions using your own PFE stock, building internal competence and reducing reliance on external contractors.
Course Details
In-house training is conducted on-site at your premises, with practical sessions using your own PFE stock. Public courses are held at hotel venues and training centres, accommodating individual participants and smaller groups. Instructor-to-learner ratios: up to 10 learners, 1 instructor; 11 to 20 learners (maximum class size), 2 instructors. A printed course handout is provided to each participant.
Equipment Requirements for Participants
As The Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 Course includes practical sessions on commissioning and servicing portable fire extinguishers across all five PFE types, participants are required to bring their own servicing tools, consumables, PPE, and portable fire extinguishers. This reflects real-world practice where fire extinguisher technicians use their own toolkits, and ensures that manufacturer’s technical information is available for each extinguisher brought to the course, as required by the standard for all maintenance and servicing activities.
Important: Participants must bring their own portable fire extinguishers for practical sessions. This is a requirement of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022, which states that the manufacturer’s information (including service manuals, technical data sheets, and spare parts specifications) must be available when carrying out maintenance on any PFE. Phoenix STS does not provide extinguishers for practical sessions. Participants will not be required to discharge, refill, recharge, or pressure test extinguishers during the course. The practical assessments focus on commissioning and service/maintenance procedures.
Mandatory: You must have your own copy of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 to complete this course. The standard is referenced throughout all three days of taught content, practical sessions, and assessments. Participants without a copy of the standard will not be able to fully participate in the course. It can be purchased from the NSAI Standards Store in PDF or hardcopy format.
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Hand Tools
Inspection and Testing Equipment
Consumables and Spare Parts
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Documentation
If you are unsure about any item on this list or require guidance on sourcing tools and equipment, please contact our training team before the course.
Sourcing Servicing Tools and Equipment
The following suppliers offer fire extinguisher servicing toolkits and individual tools suitable for PFE maintenance. These links are provided for the convenience of participants and should not be taken as an endorsement of any supplier, product, or service by Phoenix STS Ltd.
- Safelincs – Fire Extinguisher Servicing Tools
- CheckFire – Standard Engineer’s Toolkit
- Fire Protection Shop – Engineers Servicing Tool Kit
- Firechief – Engineer Tools and Equipment
- IFAST – Fire Extinguisher Servicing Tool Kit
- Jewel Fire Group – Servicing Tools
Disclaimer: The external links above are provided solely for the convenience of participants seeking to source servicing tools and equipment. Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee by Phoenix STS Ltd of any supplier, product, or service. Participants are responsible for ensuring that any tools and equipment they purchase are suitable for the types of portable fire extinguishers they intend to service.
Our Instructors
This course is delivered by a team of six qualified instructors, all employees of Phoenix STS Ltd, with a combined total of over 150 years of experience spanning fire engineering, occupational health and safety, fire service operations, and adult education. The team includes holders of degrees in fire engineering, higher diplomas in health and safety, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor certification, and formal teaching qualifications.
Instructors hold membership of the following professional bodies:
Assessment
Participants must pass all three assessment components to receive certification:
Written Examination
60-minute open-book written examination. Pass mark: 80% (40/50 marks).
Practical 1: Commissioning
Supervised individual practical assessment. Graded pass/fail against standardised marking sheet.
Practical 2: Service/Maintenance
Supervised individual practical assessment. Graded pass/fail against standardised marking sheet.
A candidate who fails any single component will receive a “Not Yet Competent” result and may be offered a reassessment opportunity at the discretion of the course provider.
Certification
Participants who pass all three assessment components will receive a Phoenix STS Certificate of Completion, issued within 5 working days as a PDF. Each certificate includes the participant name, course title, date of completion, CPD hours, and instructor signature. CPD accreditation has been submitted to the CPD Standards Office and is awaiting approval (CPDSO Provider Number 22657). Once approved, the certification will carry 19 CPD hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
No prior fire safety qualifications are required. A basic understanding of fire safety principles is beneficial but not essential. The course builds knowledge from fundamentals on Day 1 through to advanced practical competence by Day 3.
I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 is the Irish Standard published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) for the selection, commissioning, installation, inspection, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. It was first published in 2015 and amended in 2022. It is declared under Section 16 of the NSAI Act 1996 and is referenced across Irish fire safety legislation and Codes of Practice.
I.S. 291 requires PFE maintenance and commissioning work to be carried out by a “competent person” with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge. The Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 Course provides the training component of that competence requirement. Combined with practical experience in the workplace, completion of this course supports the competent person designation for fire extinguisher technicians.
Yes. In-house delivery is available at hospitals, nursing home groups, fire extinguisher service companies, facilities management organisations, and other premises across Ireland. In-house courses allow practical sessions using your own PFE stock. For up to 10 learners, 1 instructor is assigned; for 11 to 20 learners (maximum class size), 2 instructors are assigned. Contact us for a quotation.
The written examination requires a minimum 80% pass mark (40/50 marks). It is a 60-minute, open-book examination. Participants must also pass both individual practical assessments (commissioning and service/maintenance) to receive certification.
The Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 Course carries 19 CPD hours. CPD accreditation has been submitted to the CPD Standards Office (CPDSO) and is awaiting approval. This figure excludes registration, breaks, and lunch. It includes 18 hours of teaching time (7 taught sessions, 7 practical sessions, and 1 written examination) plus 1 hour of supervised practical assessment that constitutes active learning.
Yes. The Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 Course specifically addresses HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) and the HIQA 2025 Fire Safety Handbook, which explicitly requires PFEs in designated centres to be maintained per I.S. 291:2015. Session 2 on Day 1 covers healthcare risks and HIQA compliance requirements in detail.
A candidate who fails any single component (written examination, commissioning practical, or service/maintenance practical) will receive a “Not Yet Competent” result. Reassessment may be offered at the discretion of the course provider.
Participants must bring their own portable fire extinguishers, servicing toolkit, consumables, and PPE. Phoenix STS does not provide extinguishers or tools. You will not be required to discharge, refill, or pressure test extinguishers. A full equipment list and links to suppliers are provided in the Equipment Requirements section above. Contact us if you need guidance.
Yes, this is mandatory. The standard is referenced throughout all three days of taught content, practical sessions, and assessments. Participants without a copy of the standard will not be able to fully participate in the course. I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 can be purchased directly from the NSAI Standards Store in PDF or hardcopy format. We strongly recommend obtaining your copy well in advance of the course date.
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Page last updated: February 2026
