This fire extinguisher technician training course is Ireland’s only assessed programme covering I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 for portable fire extinguisher selection, commissioning, installation, inspection, and maintenance. 3 days, 50% practical, CPD accredited.
Course – Overview
Ireland’s only comprehensive fire extinguisher technician 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.
Key Facts
Accreditations
CPD Standards Office #22657 (awaiting approval)
This programme is recognised by the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Safety Management Systems (IIESMS) and can be used to assist participants in obtaining Technician grade.
This fire extinguisher technician training course is the only programme in Ireland that delivers both full clause-by-clause instruction on I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 (the Irish Standard for portable fire extinguishers) 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 Fire Extinguisher Technician Training 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 fire extinguisher technician training course provides the training 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 This Fire Extinguisher Technician Course
Fire Extinguisher Service Technicians
Responsible for annual maintenance, discharge testing, and servicing of PFEs
Competent Persons (I.S. 291)
Those carrying out or seeking to carry out PFE maintenance and commissioning
Fire Safety and Health & Safety Officers
Professionals managing fire safety compliance, risk management, and PFE provision
Facilities, Building, and Property Managers
Staff overseeing PFE installation, building maintenance, and contractor liaison
Responsible Persons (I.S. 291)
Persons having control over fire safety provisions in premises
Healthcare Facility Managers
Staff in nursing homes, hospitals, and designated centres ensuring HIQA compliance
No prior fire safety qualifications are required, although a basic understanding of fire safety principles is beneficial.
What You Will Learn on This Fire Extinguisher Technician Training Course
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.
Fire Extinguisher Technician Training 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 of Fire Extinguisher Technician Training
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 fire extinguisher technician training course in Ireland, completion distinguishes you from those with only basic 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 fire extinguisher technician training supports Regulation 28 compliance.
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.
Fire Extinguisher Technician Training Course Delivery Options
The Application of I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022 Course is available in three delivery formats, giving you the flexibility to choose the option that best suits your organisation’s needs and group size. All three options deliver the same programme content, assessment standards, and certification.
Public Courses
- Ideal for individuals and small groups
- Hotel venues and training centres
- Maximum 20 learners per course
- Participants bring own PFEs, tools, and PPE
- Certificate within 5 working days
On-Site: Up to 10
- Delivered at your premises nationwide
- 1 instructor for up to 10 learners
- Practical sessions using your own PFE stock
- Same price regardless of location
- Certificate within 5 working days
On-Site: 11 to 20
- Delivered at your premises nationwide
- 2 instructors for 11 to 20 learners (max)
- Practical sessions using your own PFE stock
- Same price regardless of location
- Certificate within 5 working days
Not sure which option suits you? Contact our training team or call 043 334 9611 and we will help you select the right delivery format for your group size and requirements. A printed course handout is provided to each participant on all delivery options.
Equipment Requirements for Fire Extinguisher Technician Training
As this fire extinguisher technician training 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
Participants must bring portable fire extinguishers for use during commissioning and service/maintenance practicals. You must also have the manufacturer’s technical information (service manual, technical data sheet, and spare parts list) for each extinguisher you bring, as required by I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022
Hand Tools
Adjustable spanner (10″), headcap removal spanner, 17mm-19mm combination spanner, and strap wrench for cylinder grip
Locking pliers (10″), water gland pliers, flat-head screwdriver, pozi screwdriver, and set of allen keys
Rubber mallet, wire brush for cleaning threads and components, and O-ring removal tool or pick set
Inspection and Testing Equipment
Digital scales (minimum 25 kg capacity, 0.01 kg increments) for verifying extinguisher weight against manufacturer specifications
Push-pump gauge tester (Wika type or equivalent), gauge test pin tool, and inspection torch
Consumables and Spare Parts
Assorted O-ring kit covering valve, hose, and swivel horn fittings for water, foam, powder, wet chemical, and CO2 extinguishers
Gauge dots (year indicators), tamper-evident seals, corrective action labels, and maintenance labels
Silicone grease or petroleum jelly for O-ring and valve lubrication, and clean cloths for component cleaning
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Safety glasses or goggles (EN 166 rated or equivalent)
Work gloves suitable for mechanical handling, and ear defenders
Documentation
Your own copy of the standard (hardcopy or PDF). Available from the NSAI Standards Store
For taking notes during taught sessions. A printed course handout is provided by Phoenix STS
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
Our Instructors
This fire extinguisher technician training 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:
Fire Extinguisher Technician 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.
Fire Extinguisher Technician Training 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.
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Page last updated: February 2026
