ISO 7165:2009

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7165
Second edition
2009-03-15

Fire fighting — Portable fire
extinguishers — Performance and
construction
Lutte contre l'incendie — Extincteurs portatifs — Performances et
construction




Reference number
ISO 7165:2009(E)
©
ISO 2009

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ISO 7165:2009(E)
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 1
4 Classification of extinguishers. 4
5 Extinguishing media, propellants and filling requirements . 4
5.1 Extinguishing media. 4
5.2 Propellants . 5
5.3 Filling requirements. 5
6 Pressure requirements for low-pressure extinguishers. 6
6.1 Test pressure . 6
6.2 Minimum burst pressure. 6
7 General operating performance requirements . 6
7.1 Operating temperatures . 6
7.2 Minimum effective discharge time and bulk range of discharge. 6
7.3 Resistance to temperature changes. 9
7.4 Retention of charge . 10
7.5 Mechanical resistance. 11
7.6 Resistance to corrosion. 13
7.7 Tapping test (powder extinguishers only) . 14
7.8 Intermittent discharge test. 18
8 Performance requirements for test fires . 18
8.1 Rating suitability for the various classes of fire.18
8.2 Test fires — General. 20
8.3 Class A test fire. 21
8.4 Class B test fire. 23
8.5 Class D test fire. 25
8.6 Electrical conductivity of extinguisher discharge. 29
8.7 Class F test fire . 29
8.8 Class F splash test . 31
9 Construction requirements. 35
9.1 High-pressure extinguishers . 35
9.2 Low-pressure extinguishers. 35
9.3 Carrying handle. 38
9.4 Mounting. 38
9.5 Caps, valves and closures. 38
9.6 Safety devices . 39
9.7 Manufacturing tests. 39
9.8 Requirements for plastics components . 40
9.9 Hose assemblies. 42
9.10 Method of operation . 43
9.11 Safety-locking devices . 43
9.12 Requirements for pressure gauges and indicators for low-pressure extinguishers . 44
9.13 Dip-tubes and filters — Water-based extinguishers . 46
9.14 Special requirements for CO extinguishers . 46
2
9.15 Gasket and O-rings. 47
10 Marking and colour. 47
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
10.1 Colour. 47
10.2 Marking. 47
10.3 Inspection instructions. 51
11 Manuals. 51
11.1 User manual. 51
11.2 Service manual. 52
Annex A (normative) Alternate test fire for powder extinguishers with a rating exceeding 144B. 53
Bibliography . 58

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ISO 7165:2009(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 7165 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 21, Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting,
Subcommittee SC 2, Manually transportable fire extinguishers.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 7165:1999), which has been technically revised.
It also incorporates the Amendments ISO 7165:1999/Amd 1:2004 and ISO 7165:1999/Amd 2:2004.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 7165:2009(E)

Fire fighting — Portable fire extinguishers — Performance and
construction
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the principal requirements intended to ensure the safety, reliability and
performance of portable fire extinguishers.
It is applicable to a fully charged extinguisher having a maximum mass of 20 kg. Subject to local acceptance,
application to extinguishers having a total mass of up to 25 kg when fully charged is permitted.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 3130, Wood — Determination of moisture content for physical and mechanical tests
ISO 3941:—, Classification of fires
ISO 4672:1997, Rubber and plastics hoses — Sub-ambient temperature flexibility tests
ISO 4892-2:2006, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
ISO 5923, Fire protection — Fire extinguishing media — Carbon dioxide
ISO 7202, Fire protection — Fire extinguishing media — Powder
ISO 7203 (all parts), Fire extinguishing media — Foam concentrates
ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests
ISO 14520 (all parts), Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems — Physical properties and system design
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
batch
group of the same products made on the same production line using the same lot of materials during one
production shift
3.2
bulk range
range of the extinguisher when 50 % of its media has been expelled
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
3.3
charge of extinguisher
mass or volume of the extinguishing medium contained in the extinguisher expressed in volume (litres) for
water-based extinguishers and in mass (kilograms) for other extinguishers
3.4
classification of fires
grouping of fires on the basis of the characteristics as given in 3.4.1 to 3.4.5
See ISO 3941:—.
3.4.1
class A
involving solid materials, usually of an organic nature, in which combustion normally takes place with the
formation of glowing embers
3.4.2
class B
involving liquids or liquefiable solids
3.4.3
class C
involving gases
3.4.4
class D
involving metals
3.4.5
class F
involving cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) in cooking appliances
3.5
clean agent
electrically non-conductive gaseous or vapourizing liquid fire extinguishant that does not leave a residue upon
evaporation
3.6
complete discharge
point in the discharge of an extinguisher when the internal pressure has equalized with the external pressure,
with the valve control being kept fully open
3.7
disposable extinguisher
non-rechargeable extinguisher
extinguisher designed not to be recharged in the field or at the factory, but intended to be discarded after use
3.8
effective discharge time
time from the commencement of discharge of the extinguishing medium at the nozzle to the gas point of the
discharge stream with the control valve fully open
3.9
extinguishing medium
substance contained in the extinguisher that causes extinguishment
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
3.10
fill density
mass in kilograms of extinguishing medium per litre of container volume as fitted for use, complete with valve
and internal fittings
3.11
fire extinguisher
an appliance containing an extinguishing medium that can be discharged and directed onto a fire by the action
of internal pressure; discharge may be achieved by
⎯ stored pressure (constant pressurization of the extinguishing media container);
⎯ cartridge operated [pressurization at the time of use by the release of a pressurizing gas stored in a
separate high-pressure container (cartridge)]
3.12
gas point
point where the medium discharge changes from predominately liquid medium to predominately expellant gas
3.13
lowest observable adverse effect level
LOAEL
lowest concentration at which an adverse physiological or toxicological effect has been observed
3.14
maximum service pressure
p
ms
equilibrium pressure developed in a normally charged and pressurized extinguisher that is conditioned at
60 °C for at least 18 h
3.15
portable fire extinguisher
fire extinguisher that is designed to be carried and operated by hand and that, in working order, has a mass of
not more than 20 kg
NOTE Subject to local acceptance, extinguishers having a total mass of up to 25 kg when fully charged are permitted.
3.16
pressure gauge
device that shows the pressure in the cylinder and the operating range of the extinguisher based on the
operating temperature-pressure relationship.
NOTE The gauge face is marked with the appropriate units.
3.17
pressure indicator
device that shows that the extinguisher is pressurized at its rated expellant gas pressure
3.18
propellant
non-flammable compressed gas used to expel the extinguishing medium
3.19
rechargeable extinguisher
extinguisher designed to be recharged after use
3.20
service pressure
p
s
equilibrium pressure developed in a normally charged and pressurized extinguisher conditioned at 20 °C for at
least 18 h
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
3.21
wet chemical
chemical agents that include, but are not limited to, aqueous solutions of potassium acetate, potassium
carbonate, potassium citrate, or combinations of these materials
4 Classification of extinguishers
Extinguishers shall be classified by the type of extinguishing medium that they contain. At present, the main
classes of extinguishers are
a) water-based;
b) powder;
c) carbon dioxide;
d) clean agents.
These classes of extinguishers may be further sub-divided; for example, water-based extinguishers may
contain pure water or water with additives, such as wetting agents, viscosity-increasing agents, flame
retardant, foaming agents, wet chemical, etc. Water-based extinguishers, including foam, containing different
types of freezing-point depressants shall be treated as separate and distinct models for the fire rating tests
and for the purpose of testing the range of the operating temperatures, electrical conductivity, etc. All other
requirements relating to the design and construction of water-based extinguishers are applicable to all models,
irrespective of contents.
5 Extinguishing media, propellants and filling requirements
5.1 Extinguishing media
5.1.1 Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide used in extinguishers shall comply with ISO 5923.
5.1.2 Clean agents
Clean agents used in extinguishers shall comply with the appropriate part of ISO 14520 or shall be regulated
by the national environmental regulatory body of a country.
NOTE In some countries, the manufacture and use of clean agents is regulated by the Montreal Protocol or by
national regulations.
5.1.3 Powders
Powders used in extinguishers shall comply with ISO 7202, with the exception of powders for use on class D
fires.
5.1.4 Foam concentrates
Foam concentrates used in extinguishers shall comply with the appropriate part of ISO 7203.
NOTE There is no ISO International Standard covering non-foaming additives sometimes added to water to produce
antifreeze, wetting or other special characteristics. However, such extinguishers are included in the category of water-
based extinguishers.
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
5.1.5 Water-based agents
When the extinguishing agent has a pH exceeding 9,5, a warning statement shall be required for the
extinguisher nameplate (see 10.2).
5.2 Propellants
The propellants for stored pressure and cartridge-operated extinguishers shall be air, argon, carbon dioxide,
helium or nitrogen or mixtures of these gases having a maximum dew-point of −55 °C. Non-flammable tracers
may be added to the propellant to facilitate leakage detection. The percentage of the tracer shall be indicated
by the manufacturer and verified by the test laboratory, with the exception that it is not necessary for the
propellant for stored-pressure, water-based extinguishers to meet the above dew-point.
5.3 Filling requirements
5.3.1 Fill density
The maximum fill density for carbon-dioxide extinguishers shall not exceed 0,75 kg/l. The fill density for clean
agent fire extinguishers shall not exceed the values given in the appropriate part of ISO 14520.
NOTE The above fill densities can be subject to national pressure-vessel regulations.
5.3.2 Filling tolerance
The actual charge of an extinguisher shall be the nominal charge within the following limits:
a) water-based extinguisher: 0 % to 5 % by volume;
b) powder extinguishers:
u 1 kg nominal charge, ± 5 % by mass;
> 1 kg but < 3 kg nominal charge, ± 3 % by mass;
W 3 kg nominal charge, ± 2 % by mass;
c) clean agent extinguishers: 0 % to 5 % by mass;
d) carbon dioxide extinguishers: 0 % to 5 % by mass.
5.3.3 Charges
The following are the recommended charges for fire extinguishers:
⎯ water-based: 2 l, 3 l, 6 l, 9 l;
⎯ powder: 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg, 4 kg, 6 kg, 9 kg, 12 kg;
⎯ CO: 2,5 kg;
2
⎯ clean agent: 1 kg, 2 kg, 4 kg, 6 kg.
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
6 Pressure requirements for low-pressure extinguishers
6.1 Test pressure
1)
The test pressure, p , for low-pressure extinguishers shall be 1,43 × p but in no case less than 2 MPa
t ms
(20 bar).
6.2 Minimum burst pressure
The minimum burst pressure, p , for low-pressure extinguishers shall be 2,7 × p but in no case less than
b ms
5,5 MPa (55 bar).
7 General operating performance requirements
7.1 Operating temperatures
Extinguishers shall be capable of operating reliably within one of the following temperature ranges:
+5 °C to +60 °C;
−5 °C to +60 °C;
−10 °C to +60 °C;
−20 °C to +60 °C;
−30 °C to +60 °C;
−40 °C to +60 °C;
−55 °C to +60 °C;
The temperature range selected from the above ranges shall be marked on the fire extinguisher (see 10.2.1.5).
For water-based extinguishers without any protection against freezing, the minimum operating temperature
shall be 5 °C.
7.2 Minimum effective discharge time and bulk range of discharge
7.2.1 Class A rated extinguishers
The minimum effective discharge time of extinguishers with a 1A rating shall be no less than 8 s.
Extinguishers with ratings of 2A or higher shall have a minimum discharge time of 13 s.
7.2.1.1 Requirements
When three portable fire extinguishers are tested in accordance with 7.2.1.2, the duration of operation of each
extinguisher shall be within ± 3 s of the average value for powder extinguishers and within 15 % of the
average value for other extinguishers, but duration value shall not be less than the minimum specified.

2
1) 1 bar = 100 kPa = 0,1 MPa; 1 Pa = 1 N/m .
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
7.2.1.2 Test method
Carry out the testing of portable extinguishers within 5 min of removal of the extinguisher from the conditioning
temperature. Store portable fire extinguishers for testing in a vertical position for at least 18 h at a temperature
of 20 °C ± 5 °C before the tests are carried out and maintain the temperature within this range until tested as
given below.
a) Weigh the extinguisher.
b) Hold the extinguisher in its normal working position (i.e. hand-held) and keep it immobile for the duration
of the test.
c) For cartridge-operated extinguishers supplied with a final control valve and an independent activation
system, pressurize with the final control valve closed. Open this final control valve 6 s after the
commencement of pressurization of the extinguisher.
d) For cartridge-operated extinguishers where activation is by a simple action, pierce the cartridge and close
the control valve immediately for a period of 6 s, after which reopen the control valve.
e) For extinguishers that are activated by a single operation of the control valve, open the control valve and
leave open for the duration of the test.
f) Measure and record the time between the opening of the final control valve and the commencement of
discharge. Measure and record the effective discharge time.
g) For gaseous extinguishers, reweigh, then calculate and record the residual charge. For all other
extinguishers, reweigh, empty the residual extinguishant, then reweigh or measure and record the
residual change.
All portable fire extinguishers shall operate within 4 s after the final control valve is opened.
7.2.2 Class B rated extinguishers
The minimum effective discharge time of extinguishers with a class B rating shall be no less than the
appropriate value given in Table 1.
7.2.2.1 Requirements
When three portable fire extinguishers are tested in accordance with 7.2.2.2, the duration of operation of each
extinguisher shall be within ± 3 s of the average value for powder extinguishers and within 15 % of the
average value for other extinguishers, but duration value shall not be less than the minimum specified.
7.2.2.2 Test method
Carry out the testing of portable extinguishers within 5 min of the removal of the extinguisher from the
conditioning temperature. Store portable fire extinguishers for testing in a vertical position for at least 18 h at a
temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C before the tests are carried out and maintain the temperature within this range
until tested as given below.
a) Weigh the extinguisher.
b) Hold the extinguisher in its normal working position (i.e. hand-held) and keep it immobile for the duration
of the test.
c) For cartridge-operated extinguishers supplied with a final control valve and an independent activation
system, pressurize with the final control valve closed. Open this final control valve 6 s after the
commencement of pressurization of the extinguisher.
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
d) For cartridge-operated extinguishers where activation is by a simple action, pierce the cartridge and close
the control valve immediately for a period of 6 s, after which reopen the control valve.
e) For extinguishers that are activated by a single operation of the control valve, open the control valve and
leave open for the duration of the test.
f) Measure and record the time between the opening of the final control valve and the commencement of
discharge. Measure and record the effective discharge time.
g) For gaseous extinguishers, reweigh, then calculate and record the residual charge. For all other
extinguishers, reweigh, empty the residual extinguishant, then reweigh or measure and record the
residual change.
All portable fire extinguishers shall operate within 4 s after the final control valve is opened.
Table 1 — Minimum effective discharge time of class B rated extinguishers
Minimum discharge time
Classification
s
a
8B —
a
13B —
21B 8
34B 8
55B 9
(70B) 9
89B 9
(113B) 12
144B 15
(183B) 15
233B 15
a
This fire size is for a low-temperature fire test only.

7.2.3 Bulk range
7.2.3.1 Requirements
The minimum bulk range of extinguishers with a class A rating shall be no less than 3 m when determined in
accordance with 7.2.3.2.
7.2.3.2 Test method
Carry out the test indoors using lighting that gives the best possible illumination of the extinguisher medium
during discharge. Use a black background marked to indicate the horizontal distance. Condition the
extinguisher for no less than 18 h at a temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C and place it in normal operating position
with the discharge nozzle held horizontally 1 m above the floor. Fully discharge the extinguisher with the
control valve fully open within 2 min of conditioning. Record the bulk range of the extinguisher as the range at
the time corresponding to 50 % of the effective discharge time.
NOTE Where the range of effective discharge is difficult to determine visually, supplementary means, such as
collection boxes for powders and condensing plates for liquefied gases, can also be used.
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ISO 7165:2009(E)
7.3 Resistance to temperature changes
7.3.1 Requirements
Portable extinguishers shall be able to operate at temperatures within one of the temperature ranges given in
7.1 as indicated by the manufacturer and shall comply with the following requirements after being subjected to
the conditions given in 7.3.2.
a) The extinguisher shall operate as intended. The duration of operation shall not be less than 8 s. Carbon
dioxide extinguishers, when tested at 60 °C, shall have duration of not more than the duration established
at 20 °C. When tested at the minimum operating temperature, the discharge duration shall not be greater
than 2,5 times the duration established at 20 °C.
b) The extinguisher shall commence discharge within 5 s of opening the control valve.
c) Powder extinguishers shall not retain more than 15 % of initial charge within the extinguisher following
complete discharge. All other types shall have a maximum residue of 10 %.
7.3.2 Test method
Carry out testing on four extinguishers. Before testing, weigh each extinguisher, then subject two
extinguishers to temperature cycle 1, as given in Table 2, and subject the other two extinguishers to
temperature cycle 2, as given in Table 2. Store at the temperatures given in Table 2 in conditioning
...