GB4351-2023
Portable fire extinguishers
手提式灭火器
GB 4351-2023 is a current mandatory Chinese national standard for Portable fire extinguishers. It appears in the Environment compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of Jan 1, 2025.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard applies to the design, manufacturing, and testing of portable fire extinguishers and their components used in industrial and civil buildings. It covers extinguishers with a total mass not exceeding 23 kg for carbon dioxide types and 20 kg for other types, including dry powder, water-based, and clean agent extinguishers. It is not applicable to fire extinguishers designed for specialized industrial vehicles or stationary fire suppression systems. The standard also governs the performance requirements for critical components such as cylinders, valves, and pressure indicators.
Technical requirements
GB 4351-2023 specifies comprehensive performance requirements for portable fire extinguishers across various environmental and operational conditions. It defines specific operating temperature ranges and strict充装 (filling) tolerances, including maximum fill densities for carbon dioxide. Manufacturers must ensure that extinguishers meet rigorous mechanical and sealing performance criteria to prevent leakage and structural failure during use. The standard details discharge performance metrics, such as effective discharge time, delayed-action time, and residual extinguishing medium rates. It also mandates specific mechanical integrity tests, including impact and vibration resistance, to ensure the extinguisher's durability in emergency scenarios. Extinguishers must demonstrate reliable anti-corrosion properties to withstand harsh environmental conditions over their service life. A critical aspect of the standard is the fire extinguishing performance classification for Class A, B, C, D, and F fires. It sets minimum extinguishing ratings based on the extinguisher's charge capacity and agent type. Additionally, it introduces specific requirements for alcohol-resistant (AR) water-based extinguishers and mandates electrical insulation performance for specific agent types to ensure operator safety against live electrical equipment.
Testing methods
The standard outlines rigorous testing procedures to validate compliance. Key tests include discharge performance tests at 20°C and extreme operating temperatures to measure effective discharge time and distance. Mechanical integrity is verified through impact drop tests and multi-axis vibration tests. Additionally, the standard mandates salt spray exposure for external corrosion assessment and specific fire model tests (using wood cribs for Class A, fuel pans for Class B, and cooking oil pans for Class F) to evaluate real-world extinguishing efficacy. Helium trace gas methods and water immersion are utilized for seal integrity verification.
FAQs
What products are regulated under GB 4351-2023?
GB 4351-2023 applies to portable fire extinguishers with a total mass not exceeding 23 kg for CO2 types and 20 kg for other types. It covers dry powder, water-based, carbon dioxide, and clean agent extinguishers used in industrial and civil buildings.
Are there any updates from the previous version of GB 4351?
The 2023 version is a mandatory standard that consolidates three previous standards (GB 4351.1-2005, GB 4351.2-2005, and GB/T 4351.3-2005). Key updates include revised temperature ranges, new requirements for Class D and F fires, added alcohol-resistant (AR) criteria for water-based extinguishers, and updated performance rules for valves and pressure indicators.
How does GB 4351-2023 differ from ISO standards?
While GB 4351-2023 aligns with general international fire safety principles, it incorporates specific Chinese national requirements and references domestic standards (such as GB/T 5099.1 for cylinders). Manufacturers must ensure compliance with these specific GB-referenced material and testing protocols to access the Chinese market.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 4351-2023. To ensure complete compliance for your products entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 4351-2023 today to access all detailed parameters, tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Product
- CCS
- C84
- ICS
- 13.220.10
- Competent department
- National Fire and Rescue Administration
- Technical committee
- National Technical Committee on Fire Protection of Standardization Administration of China
Relationships
Replaces:GB 4351.1-2005, GB 4351.2-2005, GB/T 4351.3-2005