Fire Extinguisher Quality Control Order 2023: What Every Indian Buyer Needs to Know

Key Highlights: Fire Extinguisher Quality Control Order 2023

• Gazetted on 9 August 2023 as S.O. 3585(E), mandatory for large manufacturers from 9 February 2024.
• IS 15683:2018 for portable units, IS 16018:2012 for wheeled units up to 450 kg.
• Covers water, foam, dry powder (BC, ABC, D), CO2, gas-type and water mist extinguishers.
• Penalties under BIS Act 2016 Section 29(3) start at ₹2 lakh per offence.
• Verify any BIS-certified fire extinguisher using the BIS Care App before purchase.
• The QCO does not list lithium-ion extinguishers as a separate category; verify the application standard, licence scope, and test documentation.

The Fire Extinguisher Quality Control Order 2023 made the ISI mark fire extinguisher requirement mandatory in India. Notified as S.O. 3585(E) on 9 August 2023, it changed what you can legally procure.

What Is the Fire Extinguishers Quality Control Order 2023?

Under the BIS Act 2016, QCO 2023 made certification non-negotiable. Any BIS-certified fire extinguisher up to 17 kg must conform to IS 15683:2018. Wheeled extinguishers between 17 kg and 450 kg fall under IS 16018:2012. Manufacturing, importing or selling without an ISI mark is prohibited.

It took effect in phases. Large manufacturers from 9 February 2024, small enterprises from 9 May, and micro enterprises from 9 August. Export goods are excluded.

Which Fire Extinguisher Types Are Covered Under the QCO?

Here are the fire extinguisher types covered in IS 15638:2018:

• Water-based extinguishers
• Foam-based extinguishers
• Dry powder extinguishers
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) extinguishers
• Clean-agent extinguishers
• Water-mist extinguishers

What This Means If You Are Buying Fire Extinguishers in India

Any supplier who cannot produce a licence number in the format CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX is selling a non-compliant product. That applies to new orders and replacement purchases both.

Why Non-Certified Extinguishers Are a Liability

Section 29(3) of the BIS Act 2016: minimum ₹2 lakh for a first offence. Repeat offences start at ₹5 lakh. The fine can reach ten times the value of the seized goods. And up to two years’ imprisonment. Non-certified units get flagged in audits and create insurance exposure.

How to Verify ISI Mark on a Fire Extinguisher Before You Buy

Step 1: Use the BIS Care App

The BIS Care App fire extinguisher check is available on Android and iOS. Open “Verify Licence Details” and enter the CM/L number. Confirm the licence is Active and covers your extinguisher type. A cancelled licence still returns a result.

Step 2: Check the BIS Portal and Product Label

At services.bis.gov.in, search “List of BIS Licensees (IS Wise)” and enter IS 15683. This shows all IS 15683 fire extinguisher manufacturers in India.

Here is how to verify the ISI mark. Check the label for three items: The octagonal ISI mark, the IS number and the CM/L licence number. From March 2025, IS 15683 Amendment No. 1 (September 2024) requires a colour-coded band covering around 5% of the body per IS 17917:2022.

What to Ask Your Fire Extinguisher Supplier before Ordering

• Ask for the CM/L number upfront.
• Cross-verify on the BIS portal or BIS Care App.
• Confirm the type, agent and capacity fall within the licence scope.

Search IS 15683 on the portal for every ISI-marked fire extinguisher that India has approved under this standard. For ABC fire extinguishers or fire extinguishers for electrical fires, a licence for a different agent type does not qualify.

Kanex Fire manufactures BIS-certified fire extinguishers under IS 15683:2018 and IS 16018:2012. Contact the team for IS-certified fire protection equipment.

FAQs

Is ISI mark mandatory for all fire extinguisher types in India?
Yes, for covered categories from 9 February 2024. The QCO covers portable and wheeled fire extinguishers. Check separately if buying a specialised suppression system.

What is the IS 15683 standard for fire extinguishers?
IS 15683:2018 is the BIS standard for portable fire extinguishers covering performance and construction. It applies to water, foam, dry powder, CO2 and gas-type units up to 17 kg.

How do I check if a fire extinguisher is BIS certified?
The BIS Care App. Enter the CM/L number from the label. Confirm the licence is active and the scope matches your extinguisher type and capacity.

Can I still use fire extinguishers purchased before February 2024 without ISI mark?
The QCO covers manufacture, import and sale. Not ongoing use. But the purchase date alone does not settle this. You should check condition, maintenance records and your local fire authority’s rules before assuming anything.

What happens if I procure fire extinguishers without an ISI mark?
The risks go beyond fines. Under the BIS Act 2016, Section 29(3), first offences attract a minimum ₹2 lakh penalty. Non-certified units also get flagged during fire audits, which can affect your NOC and insurance coverage.