Nobody ever wants to think about a fire starting at home, but unfortunately, they can – and do – happen. Whether it’s an old or faulty device. a newer appliance utilising a Lithium-ion battery or forgetting that the hob was switched on when the doorbell rang; house fires can break out in seconds, and many won’t even think about fire safety at home until it’s too late.
Preparation is key to home fire safety, as it could save lives and properties. However, a recent Firechief® Global study revealed that only 30% of our respondents have a fire extinguisher at home. That equates to just 900 out of the 3,000 UK residents that we surveyed about their home fire safety setup. Additionally, many people who have a fire extinguisher will not be fully confident in using it if they have to.
They may not have been trained in using one, they may not know what type of fire extinguisher to use at home or they may not have been aware that you can buy fire extinguishers for domestic use. All of these are perfectly valid explanations for not having an extinguisher somewhere in the property, so we’re here to answer some of the most common questions relating to owning and using a fire extinguisher at home.
Do I need a fire extinguisher at home?
In the UK, there is no legal requirement for you to have a fire extinguisher at home, but they are one of the most effective ways of tackling small fires and securing your escape should a fire start in your home.
As we mentioned earlier, preparation is key. Two of the most common causes of fire in the UK are cooking fires and electrical fires. Both of these types of fires could be extinguished in the early stages with the right fire extinguisher, or (at the very least) suppressed to allow you to escape to allow the fire service to deal with the fire.
Fire safety experts recommend that homeowners have a fire extinguisher somewhere in their property, primarily to deal with small fires by stopping the spread and giving vital peace of mind that the extinguisher is there should it ever be required.
Where should I put fire extinguishers in my home?
There are three key locations in the home where you should put your fire extinguishers:
- In the kitchen. Perhaps the most obvious, but this is where the majority of home fires occur. Fitting a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, ideally near the oven, should be key; small fire extinguishers could prove a vital addition to your cupboard to tackle small fires before they get out of control or secure your escape.
- In the shed, garage or workshop. Outbuildings such as sheds, garages and workshops are regularly used for storage or maintenance and that means there are always risks of fires. If you have one of these buildings then a fire extinguisher is essential, especially if there are flammable liquids such as petrol around.
- All floors of the property. It might sound excessive to have fire extinguishers on all floors, but if a fire starts upstairs and the extinguisher is downstairs, you don’t want to be left unable to access it. For extra peace of mind, invest in the same number of fire extinguishers for your home as you have floors.
What type of fire extinguisher is best for the home?
Of course, it’s not just important that you have a fire extinguisher but that you have the right one for your needs.
Fire risks are put into ‘classes’ dependent upon what would be burning in the fire. This is because different materials burn in different ways and, therefore, need different solutions to effectively tackle them. This can sound a bit complicated, so it’s easy to see why you might get confused when trying to choose the right fire extinguisher.
The most common choice for domestic fire extinguishers is an ABC powder extinguisher. This is popular quite simply because of its versatility and ability to tackle so many different types of fires. However, it cannot be used to fight Class D (combustible metals) or Class F (cooking oils) fires, and it is not effective against the growing number of Lithium-ion battery fires (more on these later).
There are three main types of fire extinguishers suitable for use in the home, each designed to tackle specific types of fires. This is a summary of the different types of extinguishers and what they can be used for:
Foam
Used to tackle Class A (paper and textiles), Class B (fuels) and Class F fires (cooking oil), foam fire extinguishers are highly effective at tackling a large number of domestic fires. The Firechief® Flamebuster is a great example of the kind of product that every home should have. This aerosol extinguisher has been designed to fight small fires only and is sleek enough to store easily in your kitchen, just in case. As such it is the ideal option for domestic kitchen fires involving liquids and oils and, crucially, has the ‘F’ symbol on the front signifying that it can tackle cooking oil fires (something you should always look for when purchasing a foam extinguisher for the home).
Powder
An ABC powder fire extinguisher tackles Class A (paper and textiles), B (fuels and oils), and C (gas) fires by creating a barrier between the flames and the oxygen a fire needs to burn. A fire needs three components to grow in strength – a heat source (something to start the fire), a fuel (something to burn) and oxygen – and this barrier takes one of those vital elements away. These are a popular domestic fire extinguisher, but they cannot be used to fight class F (cooking oil) fires.
You can also buy BC powder fire extinguishers which are specifically designed for engine fires. This makes them ideal to be stored in your vehicle, or in a shed or building where you may store a vehicle. However, BC powders won’t be effective on Class A (paper and textiles) fires, so for a standard application, an ABC powder extinguisher is always better.
Lithium-ion battery
This is the newest type of fire risk. Lithium-ion batteries burn in a very specific (and dangerous) way, meaning they need a specific solution to extinguish them. Products such as the Firechief® Lith-Ex fire extinguisher are specifically developed to tackle Lithium-ion battery fires in devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers are a valuable addition to any home due to the increased number of devices using these batteries and the inevitable increased risk of fires.
Where can I find more information about fire safety at home?
For all your home fire safety needs, head over to the Firechief® Home and Leisure page. Here you’ll find products, reports, tools and information all about fire safety at home, in the garden or in your shed or workshop to keep you, your family and your property safe from the risk of fire.
All meeting the latest fire safety standards, our Home and Leisure range features fire extinguishers, fire blankets, escape ladders and smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms for complete peace of mind.
For more information on any of our home fire safety products, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
Disclaimer
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.