Fire extinguishers for construction projects in Hungary: a guide for foreign contractors
Foreign contractors working in Hungary can use EN 3 certified fire extinguishers; a separate Hungarian certificate is not required for extinguishers lawfully marketed in the EU. You still need the right number and type, yearly maintenance by a qualified maintainer, and a Hungarian maintenance log.
The short answer
If you are running a construction or installation project in Hungary, you can use portable fire extinguishers certified to the European EN 3 standard. Hungary does not require a separate national certificate for extinguishers that are lawfully manufactured or placed on the market in another EU member state. What you do need to plan for is the number and type of extinguishers, their annual maintenance by a qualified maintainer, and the Hungarian documentation that goes with them.
1. Which extinguishers are accepted?
Portable extinguishers certified to the EN 3 standard series by an independent testing and certification body are accepted. Check the label for the fire classes and the rating, for example 43A 233B C on a 6 kg ABC powder extinguisher. Keep the certificate and the maintenance manual, as the maintainer and the authority may ask for them. You can read more about the Hungarian rules on certificates for EU products in our Hungarian article on ujotsz.hu.
2. How many do you need?
The number and type of extinguishers depend on the floor area, the fire risk class of the building and what can burn there, as set out in the Hungarian National Fire Safety Code (OTSZ). As a general rule, there must be at least one extinguisher per storey in each independent unit. For an exact figure, ask the fire safety engineer responsible for the project, or send us the floor plan and we will prepare a proposal.
3. Typical choices on site
| Area | Typical extinguisher |
|---|---|
| General site, offices, containers | 6 kg ABC powder extinguisher |
| Electrical cabinets, server rooms | CO2 extinguisher |
| Welding and hot work | 6 kg ABC powder extinguisher and a fire blanket next to the work area |
| Site kitchens, canteens | Foam extinguisher with F rating for cooking oil fires |
| Battery storage, e-scooters, power tools | Extinguishing agents and bags designed for lithium-ion batteries |
This table is a general guide, not a substitute for the fire safety documentation of your project.
4. Maintenance and paperwork in Hungary
Extinguishers kept in readiness in Hungary must be maintained and inspected every year by a qualified maintainer, with more thorough maintenance due in certain years. The checks and maintenance must be recorded in a fire protection operation log (tűzvédelmi üzemeltetési napló). If your project lasts longer than a year, plan for the maintenance in advance.
5. Delivery to the site
Maxfire Brandschutz Kft. has been a fire protection distributor in Hungary since 2014. We deliver anywhere in Hungary. Personal pickup is available at our central warehouse in Békéscsaba by prior order. For larger quantities, send us your list or an existing quote, and we will reply with an offer within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring extinguishers from my home country?
Extinguishers lawfully placed on the market in another EU member state and certified by an independent body can generally be used in Hungary. They will still need annual maintenance in Hungary, so make sure the maintenance manual is available.
Do you issue invoices to foreign companies?
Please contact our customer service with your company details, and we will confirm the invoicing options.
Which language are the documents in?
Product labels follow the EN 3 standard. For Hungarian authorities, Hungarian documentation is recommended; ask us if you need it.
