If you are a driver and don't yet carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle, this blog is for you. It is incredibly important to be aware of the fire risks posed by our own vehicles when on the road, every type of transport carries specific risks and the more we are aware the more we can prevent.
Risks include simply refuelling using liquids such as petrol or diesel – or gases – such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – are a particular risk. Another huge risk are electric cars themselves which carry an additional risk of a Lithium-Ion Battery Fire which cannot be effectively extinguished by conventional fire extinguishers – only specialist extinguishers such as the Firechief Lith-Ex Extinguisher.
Legal Requirement
Whilst it is a legal requirement for commercial, public vehicles and HGVs to adhere to the regulations concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods (CDG) and ADR it is not for private car users in the UK. However, you may still want to consider having a fire extinguisher in your car for the added peace of mind that if a fire was to break out, you have the tools to put it out quickly before it gets out of hand, limiting the amount of damage.
Recommended
It is recommended that as car drivers in the UK you carry a Powder Extinguisher or a Foam Extinguisher, as these are the best for petrol or diesel vehicles.
Powder Extinguishers
A powder extinguisher is versatile and capable of extinguishing Class A (flammable solids), Class B (flammable liquids) and Class C (flammable gases) therefore it is ideal for the many hazards and risks that are posed on the roads. The powder extinguisher extinguishes the fire by smothering the fire and producing a thick barrier between the fuel and the source of oxygen. Our Firechief 2kg Powder Fire Extinguisher is supplied with a bracket allowing easy fixing and making it perfect for a van or small commercial vehicle. It is also approved to BS EN 3, Kitemark, LPCB and MED.
You can learn more about this extinguisher by downloading our product sheet here. Powder Extinguishers can be stored in the vehicle overnight and throughout the year as we do not experience temperatures below -40° and above 50° in the UK. It is, however, recommended that you store your extinguisher out of direct sunlight in the boot of the car. Storing the extinguisher in the boot of the car will also force you to get out of the car to operate it which is both safer and less likely to get damaged in an accident.
Foam Extinguishers
A Foam Extinguisher is also versatile and capable of extinguishing Class A (flammable solids) and Class B (flammable liquids) fires. The foam extinguishes liquid fires by sealing the surface of liquid, preventing flammable vapour from reaching the air and therefore starving the fire of fuel. Our Firechief 2L Foam Extinguisher is supplied with a bracket allowing easy fixing and making it perfect for a van or small vehicle. It is also approved to BS EN 3, Kitemark, LPCB and MED. Learn more about our 2L Foam Extinguisher.
Firechief offers a range of different sizes of extinguishers from 600g/L to 12kg/L, making it suitable for any type of vehicle. View our full range of fire extinguishers on our website.
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
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 any and 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.