Regulatory Decision 101: Using waste fire extinguishers for training
This Regulatory Decision (RD) is valid until 31 July 2025 by which time it will be reviewed. You should check back at that time to ensure the RD is still valid.
NRW can withdraw or amend this RD before the review date if we consider it necessary. This includes where the activity that this RD relates to have not changed.
Regulatory Decision
This RD is about when you can store and use waste fire extinguishers to train people to fight fires.
This does not change your legal obligations to:
- get an environmental permit
- register a waste exemption for a waste operation
- comply with other relevant legislation
Conditions you must comply with
You must only:
- store and use waste fire extinguishers for training exercises
- use waste fire extinguishers that do not need any treatment or repair
- store or use up to 100 waste fire extinguishers at any one time
- discharge water or carbon dioxide waste fire extinguishers classified as waste code 16 05 05
You must not use foam or water fire extinguishers that contain perfluorooctanoic acid or fluorosurfactants. If you are unsure, check the material safety data sheet from your fire extinguisher supplier before you use the extinguishers for training.
Enforcement
This RD does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit for a waste operation when you are using waste fire extinguishers for training purposes.
However, NRW will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with the need for an environmental permit if you meet the requirements in this RD.
In addition your activity must not cause (or be likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health, and must not:
- cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
- cause a nuisance through noise or odours
- adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest