Fit a fire extinguisher bracket to a metal stud wall

1 each · Spirit level

FB-02Choose a sensible height and positionFit the bracket somewhere easy to reach in an emergency, near a door or escape route, not directly above a cooker or heater. A handle height of around 1000mm from the floor suits most people. This is practical advice, not a legal height requirement for a home.

1 each · Tape measure

1 each · Pencil

FB-03Work out what your wall is made ofTap the wall: a dull thud usually means solid brick or block, a hollow sound means plasterboard on studs. Run a stud detector or magnet along the wall to find fixings and stud lines. Drill a small pilot hole in your marked spot: fine pale dust means plasterboard, coarse gritty dust means masonry, timber dust means a wood stud, and fine metallic swarf means a metal stud. Dot-and-dab plasterboard sounds hollow near the top and bottom but solid in patches where the adhesive dabs sit.

1 each · Stud and cable detector

1 each · Small magnet

FB-04Check for cables and pipes before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, not just in the 'safe zones'. Use your detector, but still assume something could be there and drill carefully at low speed, checking often. Find your stopcock now, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns freely, so you can shut off water fast if you hit a pipe.

RULES

1 each · Stud and cable detector

KNOW THE RULES

If you're at all unsure what's behind the wall, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit and turn off the water at the stopcock before drilling or cutting. This isn't optional caution — hitting a live cable or pressurised pipe is a genuine hazard.

FB-05Mark and drill pilot holes for your wall typeFor a timber stud, drill a 3mm pilot hole into the centre of the stud. For a metal stud, drill a 5mm-6mm pilot hole through the steel using a slower speed and steady pressure — you'll feel it break through cleanly. For solid brick or block, drill an 8mm hole to a depth matching your wall plug, usually 40mm-50mm. For dot-and-dab, drill through the plasterboard first, then continue into the masonry behind, checking your fixing is long enough to reach it. For lath and plaster, aim for a wooden lath rather than the gap between them.

1 each · Masonry drill bit 8mm

1 each · HSS metal drill bit 5mm

1 each · Wood drill bit 3mm

FB-06Fit the right fixing for your wallTimber stud: use a 4mm x 40mm wood screw straight into the stud centre, no plug needed. Metal stud: use a self-drilling metal stud fixing or a toggle-type hollow-wall anchor — never a plastic wall plug or plain wood screw, which will strip straight through 0.5mm steel. Plasterboard between studs: use a toggle or hollow-wall anchor rated for at least the extinguisher's weight, since the bracket takes a steady load. Solid brick or block: fit a matching wall plug (typically 8mm) with a 5mm x 50mm screw. Dot-and-dab: use a long fixing, usually 60mm-75mm, that passes through the plasterboard and dabs to grip the masonry behind, not just the plasterboard.

4 each · Metal stud self-drilling fixings

4 each · Hollow-wall toggle anchors

4 each · Red wall plugs 8mm

4 each · Wood screws 4mm x 40mm

4 each · Masonry screws 5mm x 50mm

FB-07Add backing if the metal stud won't take the weightA metal stud fixing alone is fine for a light 1kg-2kg extinguisher, but a 6kg or 9kg extinguisher is heavier and puts more strain on the board as people grab it in a hurry. If you can access the wall cavity, fit a timber noggin or plywood pattress between the studs to spread the load, or fix through to the masonry behind if there is any. If neither is possible, choose a lighter extinguisher size or a different wall.

1 each · Timber noggin 47mm x 47mm x 600mm

1 each · Plywood pattress 200mm x 200mm x 12mm

FB-08Screw the bracket to the wallHold the bracket in position, check it's level, and mark through the fixing holes. Drive the screws or fixings home firmly but don't overtighten a plasterboard toggle, as this can crush the board. Check the bracket sits flat and doesn't rock.

1 each · Cordless drill

FB-09Hang the extinguisher and test the fixingSlot the extinguisher into the cradle and secure any retaining strap. Give the whole bracket a firm tug and a side-to-side wiggle to check nothing moves or creaks. If it flexes at all, take it down and refit with a stronger fixing or added backing.

FB-10Tidy upVacuum up plasterboard dust, brick dust, or metal swarf from the floor and skirting. Wipe down the wall and put your tools away. Keep any spare fixings in case you need to adjust the bracket later.

1 each · Vacuum cleaner

1 each · Cloth