Regulatory statement 053.1: The storage and treatment of waste fire extinguishers
Valid until: 31 August 2026
This regulatory statement (RS) applies to the storage and treatment of waste fire extinguishers.
NRW can withdraw or amend this RS before the withdrawal date if we consider it necessary. This includes where the activities that this RS relates to have not changed.
Regulatory statement
NRW intend to withdraw this RS on 31 August 2026.
This RS is an interim measure to allow sites to apply for a relevant waste operation permit allowing this activity.
You must stop using this RS if your permit application is refused.
This RS only applies to fire extinguishers under European Waste Catalogue code 16 05 05.
Conditions you must comply with
Treatment
You must only treat:
- fire extinguishers that do not contain hazardous substances including halons
- up to 1,000 fire extinguishers in any one month
- fire extinguishers by discharging the contents and dismantling the cylinders to recover parts under a permit or exemption
- waste fire extinguishers on an impermeable surface with sealed drainage
Storage
You must:
- only store up to 4,000 waste fire extinguishers at any one time before treatment
- only store waste fire extinguishers for up to 3 months before treatment
- store the waste fire extinguishers in a secure place
- store the waste fire extinguishers on an impermeable surface with sealed drainage
- separate the different types of powder you remove from a fire extinguishers and store them in suitable sealed containers
Discharging contents
You must empty all foam, water and powders from fire extinguishers into sealed containers before disposal or recovery.
You must dispose of foam, water or separated fractions containing Perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) for disposal by high temperature incineration off site.
Where foam and water have been separated into separate fractions you only need to send the fractions containing persistent organic pollutants for high temperature incineration.
You must not discharge any foam containing liquid to sewer from this operation.
You must not discharge carbon dioxide extinguishers to air if you can capture and reuse the contents.
Impermeable surface with sealed drainage
An impermeable surface is a surface or pavement that is constructed and maintained to prevent transmission of liquids beyond the pavement surface.
A sealed drainage system has impermeable components which do not leak. It ensures that:
- no liquid will run off the surface except through the system
- all liquids entering the system are collected in a sealed sump except where they may be lawfully discharged to foul sewer
Enforcement
This RS does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit for a waste operation when you are storing and treating waste fire extinguishers for recovery.
However, NRW will not normally take enforcement action against you if you do not comply with this legal requirement provided that:
- your activity meets the description set out in this RS
- you comply with the conditions set out in this RS
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