Most fires are preventable. Those responsible for workplaces and other buildings to which the public have access can avoid them by taking responsibility for and adopting the right behaviours and procedures.
We take look at five of the most important fire safety documents to display in your work premises:
- Health and Safety Law Poster
- Health and Safety Policy
- Employers Liability Insurance
- First Aiders
- Fire Evacuation Arrangementsv
Health and Safety Law Poster
If you are an employer, you must display the Health and Safety Executive’s health and safety law poster. The only alternative to this is to provide each and every worker in your organisation with a copy of an approved leaflet or an equivalent pocket card. However, it’s much more effective, much cheaper, and far less work to display your health and safety law poster on a noticeboard where your workers can easily read it.
Health and Safety Policy
It’s also good practice to display your company’s health and safety policy. Depending upon the size and type of your business this could run into hundreds of pages, so this isn’t particularly practical to display on a noticeboard in its entirety. However, what many businesses do is display the first part of the policy, the statement of intent. This lists the company’s aims for health and safety in a clear and simple way and is signed and dated by the person who is responsible for health and safety in the workplace.
Employers Liability Insurance
As an employer, you really should display one or more valid copies of your employer’s liability insurance. This shows that your insurance is fully up to date. But it also shows much more than this. It shows to your employees and your visitors that you are a business that takes its health and safety considerations seriously.
First Aiders
As an employer, you are required to make appropriate first-aid arrangements in your workplace. This means that you should consider the particular circumstances of your workplace, your workers and the health and safety risks that may be present. For example, the arrangements for a small office will be much different from a construction site where the health and safety risks are higher. One of the key things to do is to have fully trained and appointed first aiders and display these clearly on your noticeboard. In the event of an accident, a trained first aider can be quickly contacted to give vital first aid whilst an ambulance arrives.
Fire Evacuation Arrangements
As well as first-aiders, it is crucial that the noticeboards within your workplace display fire precautions and fire evacuation arrangements in the event of a fire.
The information that you should provide should include:
- General instructions of what to do in the event of a fire.
- Where the nearest escape route is.
- The names of staff who are designated fire wardens / fire marshals.
- Maps / diagrams of where the nearest assembly points are.
Is your business displaying all of these items? If not, maybe it’s time you had a rethink about your organisation’s noticeboards.
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Most fires are preventable. Those responsible for workplaces and other buildings to which the public have access can avoid them by taking responsibility for and adopting the right behaviours and […]
Firechief’s ‘all in one’ kit has been developed especially for contractors and tradesmen who carry out Hot Work on site. Each Hot Work Kit contains everything needed to do Hot Work safely – all wrapped up in a handy carry-to-site bag. Firechief has three different types of the Hot Work Kits as follows:
Firechief Hot Work Kit – Powder (HWK1)
Contains:
x1 2kg ABC Powder Extinguisher (FXP2)
x1 1.2m x 1.8m Fire Blanket
Firechief Hot Work Kit – Foam (HWK2)
Contains:
x1 2L Foam Extinguisher (FXF2)
x1 1.2m x 1.8m Fire Blanket
Firechief Dual Hot Work Kit – Powder & Foam (HWK3)
Contains:
X1 2kg ABC Powder Extinguisher (FXP2)
X1 2L Foam Extinguisher (FXF2)
x1 1.2m x 1.8m Fire Blanket
Why do you need a Hot Work Kit?
Welding, soldering, brazing, grinding, and drilling are all known as ‘Hot Work’ and all pose fire risks – especially when working in areas containing flammable or combustible materials.
Hot Work is governed by strict safety regulations and by law all employers and self-employed contractors must assess the fire risks in a work area, obtain or self-complete a Hot Work permit for each job and ensure that the necessary fire safety equipment is on site in case of an incident. Those who don’t comply can be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), sentenced, fined, and even jailed.
If your Hot Work is unavoidable, you must have a Hot Work Permit in place BEFOFE any work starts. A Hot Work Permit is completed and issued by someone who understands the fire risks fully – such as the site supervisor or the contractor responsible for the work – and summarises what work is to be carried out, when and what precautions are needed.
So, if you are responsible for completing a Hot Work Permit on a site, what should you consider?
Remove or reduce the fire risk
It is important to minimize risk as much as possible. Ideally, try to carry out all the Hot Work before most of the combustible material gets onto site or have a special area where all Hot Work is done or even better carry out all the Hot Work off site.
Protect, cover or shield
Give special consideration to coverings such as polythene which are weatherproof but not fireproof as well as flammable liquids and acetylene which are another risk and be shielded or better still, stored off site.
Risks on larger sites
On larger sites, temporary buildings and cabins are also a risk as they usually contain heaters, fires, and paperwork so whenever possible they should be separated from the new construction. There must also be site security to guard against arson as this is the most significant fire risk.
Fire risk assessments carried out on construction sites may need to be updated frequently as construction progresses; for example, escape routes and emergency procedures may need changing and emergency procedures too and consider inspecting the escape route on a weekly basis to ensure it is clear and that you have the best means of warning workers in case of emergency.
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Firechief’s ‘all in one’ kit has been developed especially for contractors and tradesmen who carry out Hot Work on site. Each Hot Work Kit contains everything needed to do Hot […]
On Wednesday 25th May, Fire Depot took part in the eighth year of the Fire Industry Charity Golf Day at Belton Woods, Grantham!
Fire Depot sponsored the presentation meal, room and a professional photographer who captured the event and we will be creating some souvenirs for all those involved to have as a memory of a great day!
Fire Depot also provided the players with Firechief goody bags including Firechief branded Titleist Golf Balls, Firechief A6 notepad, Firechief Extinguisher shaped stress ball and lots more!
The event raised a superb £5439.76 to be shared among the following charities: Road Victims Trust, Stroke Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society, MNDA, Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes, British Heart Foundation and We are Macmillan.
Secretary of the Fire Industry Golf Society and Event organiser, David Murfitt, expressed how much of a success the day was and gave his thanks to Fire Depot and all the other sponsors and supporters.
Laurie Pollard, Managing Director of Fire Depot commented: ‘As always, we were honoured to be a part of this event, the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all!’
Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years, we know the fire protection and prevention business inside out. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any of our fire safety products. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.ukor visit https://www.firedepot.co.uk/ to see our full range of fire safety products. [related_products is_auto_added="1"]
On Wednesday 25th May, Fire Depot took part in the eighth year of the Fire Industry Charity Golf Day at Belton Woods, Grantham! Fire Depot sponsored the presentation meal, room […]
Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher in the event of a fire? In many occurrences of fire, it’s not always safe or practical to try and put it out yourself therefore evacuation and calling the fire brigade may be the only option. However, if the fire is small and confined to a small area, we have written this advisory blog on how to use a fire extinguisher safely and effectively.
Deploying a fire extinguisher correctly depends on which type it is and what type of material is on fire. Using the wrong extinguisher is at best ineffective, and at worst could intensify the fire, so ascertain the fuel first and then ensure you have the right type of extinguisher to hand before you tackle the fire.
General safety principles:
- Before use familiarise yourself with the extinguisher and how to use it before there is a fire, most extinguishers use a handle or lever, a hose with a horn or nozzle, a safety pin and seal, a pressure gauge, and the relevant fluid, powder, or gas
- Ensure that you evacuate everyone else from the building in which the fire is
- Make sure of an escape plan as this will ascertain the location of your fire exit or escape route
- Make sure the flames are shorter than you and the fire is contained
- Do not stay near the fire or use the extinguisher unless you feel safe to do so
- Inspect the extinguisher and read the instructions before using/in the event of a fire
- Check it is fully charged or it wont work (the pressure gauge at the top should be in the green area, if it is red the extinguisher has expired)
- Check the safety pin is not bent or the nozzle clogged or damaged and remove the safety pin to break the tamper seal
- Use the P A S S protocol – Pull the pin to unlock, Aim the hose at the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever slowly, Sweep the hose from side to side
- Stand so that your back is towards the nearest exit or escape route – never turn your back on a fire
- Stand around 6-8 feet away from the fire, moving closer as it is gradually extinguished
- Always aim at the base of the fire
We also have a video of the P A S S technique in action on our YouTube Channel, Firechief Global.
Here is a table of the different types of fire extinguishers and which ones should be used for different types of fires:
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher in the event of a fire? In many occurrences of fire, it’s not always safe or practical to try and put […]
A question customers sometimes ask us is ‘what are the current regulations on fire safety signs’? Some have been advised that signage needs to conform to EU standards and others have been told that fire signage now needs to be to British standards.
The current applicable standard is actually ISO7010* which specifies one design in relation to the layout of a fire safety sign. However, in order to understand why confusion has arisen, it is worth looking back at the changes in fire signage over the last 30 or so years.
A brief history of UK fire safety signage
Before the 1990’s UK fire safety signage was traditionally in text only form, using the colours green or red.
By the 1990’s however, signage using pictograms as well as text was slowly being introduced with BS5499 bringing in the first incarnation of the ‘Running Man’ symbol.
The regulations at that time - Fire certification under the Fire Precautions Act - specified signage in the form of text, text height and if needed, a directional arrow, and the use of pictograms was a voluntary option. NHS Estates also had their own special variant of an added flame as specified in the Firecode suite of hospital fire safety guidelines.
By 1996 the situation had changed, and European Directive 92 / 58 / EEC was implemented through The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 which required all safety signs - including fire safety signs - to include pictograms.
However, the regulations used a quite different design of sign, which was taken to mean that existing signs were no longer suitable.
This meant that there were now three types of signs in use (plus the legacy text only signs) and to add to the confusion the BS & HTM signs used an up arrow to indicate “straight on/through a door” while the EC signs used a down arrow to indicate the same thing.
During the 2000’s several scientific studies were carried out on the perception and understanding of different pictograms for escape route signage. The EC pictogram scored very poorly, and a variation of the BS pictogram scored well. As a result, BS EN ISO 7010 was introduced in 2001, which introduced a new range of pictograms to enhance greater public understanding and comprehension.
When should existing signage be replaced?
Mixing signage types can lead to confusion, although HSE guidance on the Safety Signs Regulations does state that “if there are fire safety signs still in use which contain symbols or pictograms which conform to the requirements of BS 5499, they will meet the requirements of the regulations, provided they continue to fulfil their purpose effectively”. This is because the original BS5499 & ISO 7010 pictograms are similar.
However, mixing BS/ISO & EC pictogram exit signage on a site or within a building is far less desirable and replacement should definitely be considered to avoid confusion.
Signs without supplementary text are compliant but are recommended only where staff would be using the routes and not the public due to the better comprehension with the added text.
Even where the type of sign is still acceptable, we recommend that a review be carried out by a suitable competent person to ensure the signage is still fit for purpose – in good condition, legible, correctly sized and located correctly with the correct orientation of arrows (see below for information on these aspects). The review may reveal a requirement to replace and/or re-site existing signage. When fitting out new buildings and replacing worn signs newly installed signage should conform to the new standard.
New exit signage
New exit signage should conform to BS EN ISO 7010 and always incorporate the ‘exit’ pictogram AND a directional arrow.
In addition, to comply with the recommendations of BS5499, the ISO pictogram and arrow should have supplementary text as this further increases the comprehension of the sign.
The following principles should be applied when deciding where to locate signs:
- a) at least one escape route or doorway leading to an escape route should be visible from any place within every room or enclosure. Where this route is not conspicuous or confusion could occur, the route should be indicated by a sign.
- b) where direct sight of the escape route or of the sign indicating the escape route is obstructed, one or more intermediate signs should be provided.
- c) doors or passageways which might be confused as leading to a designated escape route should be marked clearly.
- d) escape route signs should take precedence over all other signs. Signs with a potentially conflicting message (e.g., “no thoroughfare” and “fire exit”) should not be used in the same location. Where this conflict is unavoidable, a supplementary text sign (e.g., “except in an emergency”) should be provided to override the prohibition message.
- e) all changes of direction in corridors, stairways and open spaces forming part of an escape route should be marked with intermediate signs. Each intermediate door or junction should be similarly signed; thus, an escape route sign is always in sight whenever a person escaping along any designated escape route has a choice of direction or door.
- f) signs should be evenly spaced and consistently located so that the evacuee can effectively and quickly predict the location of the next sign within the escape route.
- g) additional signs should be provided where the line of sight to the next sign would otherwise exceed the recommended maximum viewing distance for the chosen size of the sign.
- h) a sign should be provided wherever confusion could otherwise occur.
- i) every designated escape route should lead to a place of safety. A place of safety should not be provided with escape route signs but may be provided with a sign indicating “assembly point.”
The location of the evacuation assembly point should not be indicated until the final exit on the escape route has been passed. If the position of the assembly point is not clear on leaving the final exit, assembly point safety signs with supplementary direction arrows should be provided to indicate the location of the assembly point.
- j) signs should not be fixed to doors or sited where they could be obscured by opening doors.
- k) where commercial or artistic considerations require signs or objects which owing to their size, brightness, design, or proximity could be confused with or prevent recognition of an escape route sign, the location of the escape route sign may be slightly displaced provided safety is not compromised as a result. Otherwise, the confusing signs or objects should be removed.
- l) the effectiveness of any escape route sign should not be adversely affected by the presence of other signs conveying directional information in a similar format or by other internally illuminated signs or by competing or distracting light sources.
Use of arrows
Progress down to the right (indicating change of level). On wall or suspended at head of stairs or ramp. On half-landing wall or stairs Suspended at change of level 
Progress up to the right (indicating change of level). Progress forward and across to the right from here when suspended within an open area. On half landing wall or stairs. Suspended at change of level. Suspended in open areas. 
Progress down to the left. (Indicating change of level). On wall or suspended at head of stairs or ramp. On half landing wall or stairs. Suspended at change of level. 
Progress up to the left (indicating change of level). Progress forward and across to the left from here when suspended within an open area. On wall or suspended at foot of stairs or ramp. On half landing wall or stairs. Suspended at change of level. Suspended in open areas. 
Progress forward from here (indicating direction of travel). Progress forward and through from here, when sign is sited above a door (indicating direction of travel). Progress forward and up from here (indicating change of level). Suspended in corridor leading to door. Suspended in open areas. Suspended in front of door. Positioned above door. Suspended at foot of stairs or ramp. 
Progress to the right from here (indicating direction of travel). On corridor walls. Suspended adjacent and left of the exit. Suspended at change of direction. 
Progress to the left from here (indicating direction of travel). On corridor walls. Suspended adjacent and right of exit. Suspended at change of direction. 
Progress down from here (indicating change of level). Suspended at head of stairs or ramp. Suspended at change of level. Mounting height
In terms of mounting, the general requirements are as follows:
- signs mounted above doors should be at a height of between 2.0m and 2.5m above the floor.
- signs on walls should be mounted between 1.7m and 2.0m above the floor.
*The latest version of BS EN 7010:2020 – Graphic symbols - Safety colours and safety signs – registered safety signs – is available on the BSI Standards Shop.
The Firechief® range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and the Kitchen Stove Guard. 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 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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
A question customers sometimes ask us is ‘what are the current regulations on fire safety signs’? Some have been advised that signage needs to conform to EU standards and others […]
Are you aware of the dangers that electrical devices pose to us and those around us? Today, as we are all know, the move towards reducing the impact on the environment whilst retaining mobility has seen a big increase in electrically powered transport, which in addition to electric vehicles also includes personal modes of transport such as hoverboards, electric bikes and e-scooters. These items all carry major fire risks that need to be spoken about.
Historically, significant causes of fires and deaths in the domestic environment has shifted between the decades. In the 1970’s and 80’s, emphasis was on the presence of paraffin heaters, electric blankets and most significantly, foam filled furniture in the home, while in the 1990’s it was the lack of smoke alarms for early warning and the 2000’s it was white goods, particularly tumble dryers. A number of these well-publicised risk factors have had a key part to play in the development of contemporary fire safety legislation.
The new widespread adoption of electric personal modes of transport has also been accompanied by a worrying increase in fires resulting in substantial property loss, injuries, and several deaths. With an estimated 200,000 scooters already in use in the UK and the number rapidly increasing, the risk of further fire related incidents also escalates.
Transport for London’s ban on private e-scooters, prevents them from being taken onto the capital’s transport network, came into force at the end of 2021, following an incident in November which saw an e-scooter catch fire on a train stopped at an underground station.
This growing issue has been of significant concern with Fire and Rescue Services across the UK for some time. In 2021 firefighters in England attended more than 50 blazes as a result of e-scooters or e-bikes, in comparison to 2020 which saw half that amount for the whole year. This prompted London Fire Brigade to issue an urgent safety warning.
The battery technology is at the heart of the issue with energy-dense Lithium-ion battery packs normally being used in these rechargeable devices.
So why are Lithium batteries a fire risk?
To understand the risk, you need to know a little bit about Lithium batteries. With a single cell Lithium battery, once the cell has released all of its energy, the battery has finished its life. However, the Lithium-Ion batteries used in devices such as mobile phones, laptops, power tools, and electric vehicles (EVs), have a larger number of cells (ranging from two to thousands) and can be recharged many times.
You can learn more about why Lithium Batteries are a fire risk on our Lithium Battery Website.
What causes Lithium battery fires and what is Thermal Runaway?
The failure of a Lithium battery is usually due to a short circuit or damage from overcharging, overheating, penetration or crushing.
Warning signs that a battery pack or cell is likely to fail include the battery appearing to bulge or swell, sometimes accompanied by other signs such as discharging too fast and/or the battery being hot to the touch.
Once a battery fails or ‘runs away’ the cells usually start to give off smoke. Thermal runaway is the chemical process within the battery which produces heat and flammable toxic chemical gases very quickly, often before any flame appears.
For more information about thermal runaway and what causes Lithium battery fires, visit our website.
What to use on Lithium battery fires?
Firechief Lith-Ex extinguishers have been designed to suppress Lithium battery fires in their infancy before they develop into a fully established fire. They can also be used to protect against fires where batteries are stored or charged.
Firechief Lith-Ex extinguishers contain Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD), a revolutionary fire extinguishing agent. AVD is made up of Vermiculite particles chemically suspended in water, discharged in a fine mist which provides both a cooling effect and forms a heatproof barrier around the burning battery cell to prevent propagation and re-ignition. Vermiculite has strong thermal insulation properties and therefore prevents heat transfer from the burning cell to its surroundings.
The Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range also includes Heavy Duty Lithium Battery Fire Blankets, Fire Suppression Kits and Fire-Resistant Containers which are designed for the safe storage and transit of Lithium batteries and the smaller devices which contain them. You can view these products on our website.
How can you prevent or reduce the impact of an e-Scooter Lithium battery fire?
Top Tips!
- - Buy branded electric scooters and their accessories only from reputable sources.
- - Don’t overcharge your e-scooter. Avoid leaving your machine on the socket unattended, and also remember to use the correct charger. Using a generic charger as opposed to the manufacturer’s official charger is not advised.
- - Don’t use batteries that have been punctured, crashed, dropped, or damaged.
- - Avoid leaving your e-scooter in areas with extreme temperatures such as leaving it out in the sun all day long or putting it in the kitchen.
- - Leave a time interval between riding, charging, and riding again. After use, particularly prolonged use, the battery will already be hot – charging it straightaway will heat it further, risking damage. Likewise, after charging a battery will be hot, so immediately using it will also risk overheating.
- - Charge in a safe location. Avoid charging in the house – if you have a garage or outbuilding use this as even if a fire occurs you are more likely to escape, and the damage be limited. If you can’t do this (e.g., in a flat) then avoid charging overnight and do not charge where a fire would come between you and the exit – for example charging in a hallway could trap (and possibly lead to the death of) everyone in the flat regardless of which room they are in.
- - Take precautions for if a fire occurs:
- - You should have working smoke alarms ideally in every room, but as a minimum in your hallways/landings (note - more stringent regulations apply in Scotland) so you get time to escape. However, bear in mind that lithium battery fires can escalate so quickly that this may not be enough, particularly if you have picked a poor charging location.
- - Consider using flame retardant bags and pouches to store lithium-ion batteries in, ideal for where they are being left unattended.
- - Special fire blankets are available that can quickly be draped over the burning item which will buy valuable time to escape safely and will restrict the spread of fire.
- - Professionals who use and/or store Lithium batteries such scooter hire, sales, and service companies, etc, should consider installing one or more of the Firechief Lith-Ex fire extinguishers designed especially for tackling Lithium-ion battery fires.
For further information about Lithium battery fires and how to manage them, see us on stand number FI2224 at FIREX or visit our website Lithium Battery Safety Range - Firechief Global
Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years, we know the fire protection and prevention business inside out. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any of our fire safety products. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.ukor visit https://www.firedepot.co.uk/ to see our full range of fire safety products.
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. [related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Are you aware of the dangers that electrical devices pose to us and those around us? Today, as we are all know, the move towards reducing the impact on the […]
The risk of dying in a house fire is 55% lower in homes with fire alarm systems than in those without. However, it’s no good having a fire alarm system installed if you don’t check it is working correctly and that it can accurately alert in case of a fire.
Not sure how to test a smoke alarm?
All fire alarms come with a test button whether they are battery-operated or a wired system. When you press and hold this button, the smoke alarm siren should sound. However, before testing the alarm ensure everyone in the house is aware of the testing!
If the alarm does not sound when test button is pressed, first replace the batteries, and test it again. If this does not fix the problem or you have a wired system, you’ll need to replace your alarm.
How often to test your fire alarm?
Every smoke detector in your home should be tested on a monthly basis. To help you remember when to check your alarm, add it to one of your normal monthly routines. Once a year, you should replace the batteries even if they were working when you last tested the system.
When should you replace a smoke alarm?
Proper fire alarm maintenance includes not only checking that your system is in working order but also replacing it as and when recommended. However, with battery-operated alarms, it is just a simple change of batteries rather than the whole system. Smoke alarms are manufactured to work for 10 years at a time, this date will be on the alarm somewhere and it is good to be aware of when it runs out. If your alarm system isn’t working and it is sooner than 10 years, this is also an obvious time to replace it.
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
The risk of dying in a house fire is 55% lower in homes with fire alarm systems than in those without. However, it’s no good having a fire alarm system […]
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
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 […]
Do you perform fire risk assessments? Do you know what these assessments are and how important they really are? Today we will go into the five steps of a fire risk assessment.
A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement and if you are responsible for a building, e.g. an employer, owner or occupier of premises you need to make sure a suitably competent person completes a fire risk assessment. Fire risk assessments consist of two parts; the first is the actual review itself and the second is a list of recommendations to make sure that the building is fire safety compliant.
A fire risk assessment should be carried out by the responsible person of the building or assigned to a third-party risk assessor. This report can be incredibly detailed, and it is always recommended that a qualified risk assessor completes it. There are five main steps that will be looked at in the fire risk assessment, they are:
- Evaluate
After identifying fire hazards and the risks associated with them, it is important to evaluate what to do in order to get the hazard removed or the risk reduced. Things to consider including in your fire safety measures are as follows:
- Are your staff all trained and know what to do in the event of a fire?
- Are all fire alarm systems working and can be heard by everyone in the building?
- Have you got appropriate/sufficient fire extinguishers, are they visible and staff are trained how to use them?
- Is the fire safety equipment regularly checked?
- Have you assessed the potential for heat, smoke, and fire to spread uncontrollably throughout your building?
- Can people use the escape routes safely?
- Identify hazards
Looking around the building/s it is essential to note anything that could cause a fire. It can sometimes be helpful to have an open conversation with others in the building as they may have noticed things that aren’t too obvious to others. This should include all hazards in the building including fuel sources and sources of oxygen.
- Identify people at risk
For each hazard that was identified in the first step, it is crucial to be clear about who might be harmed as this will help to manage the risk. This doesn’t have to be specific names, but groups of people who may be near to the fire hazard and how they will be at risk.
Some individuals may have different requirements as to why they will be at risk for example, wheelchair users not being able to use the building’s lift.
- Record
Recording all the findings of the assessment and sharing them with the occupants of the building will encourage everyone to put the results of your fire risk assessment into practice. You will need to be able to show:
- Proper checks were made
- All obvious and significant hazards were dealt with
- Number of individuals who may be affected
- Precautions are reasonable
- Remaining risks are low
- Review
Things are likely to change regularly so it makes sense to review what you are doing on an ongoing basis. Look at the fire risk assessment and think about whether there have been any changes? Are there any improvements you still need to make? Have other people spotted a problem? Have there been any accidents or near misses that you have learnt from?
It is important to make sure your fire risk assessment stays up to date.
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Do you perform fire risk assessments? Do you know what these assessments are and how important they really are? Today we will go into the five steps of a fire […]
As we return to the closest we have been to some sort of normality, holidays are back on the cards. However, it is looking like staycations are going to remain the primary holiday of choice again this year.
Caravans and Recreational Vehicles carry multiple fire risks, including fires resulting from unattended cooking; overheating electronic and electrical appliances; open fires, faulty electrical wiring; candles and other open flames e.g., smoking, matches and lighters, flammable liquids, and aerosols; and barbeques and campfires.
The lithium-Ion batteries found in laptops, tablets, mobile phones, children’s toys and electric scooters and bicycles may also pose a specific fire risk in this environment. A Lithium-Ion battery which has been damaged or over-charged for example, will cause it to become hot and potentially start smoking or burst into flames. Conventional fire extinguishers cannot effectively extinguish a Lithium-Ion battery fire only specialist extinguisher such as the Firechief Lith-Ex extinguisher is suitable.
It is incredibly important that fire safety measures are not forgotten when re-opening caravan and holiday parks. According to government statistics, in England, ‘on average 360 fires per year occur in caravans’.
Re-opening is a good time to review the risk assessments for fire safety equipment, ensuring it has all been serviced and is in full working order. In line with BS 5306 standards, in venues like holiday parks, fire safety equipment also needs to be protected from accidental damage, weather, vandalism etc. For all fire safety equipment stored outside it is important that they are kept in cabinets, boxes or covers to ensure they are protected and don’t get damaged. View our full range here of cabinets etc for extinguishers, hoses and hose reels.
As well as fire extinguishers and hoses etc, fire signage is just as important especially in a location such as a holiday park. Signs should include fire exit signs, escape routes, signs to show where specific fire safety equipment is located and also those signs that show where assembly points are located. Firechief can also provide these signs for you, you can enquire here
The Government have also provided some safety tips for camping and caravanning:
- Ensure caravans and tents are at least 6 metres apart and away from parked cars, to reduce the risk of fire spreading
- Keep a torch handy for emergencies – never use lighted candles
- Make sure you know the campsite’s fire safety arrangements and check where the nearest telephone is
Using gas cylinders
- Don’t use petrol or paraffin to light a solid fuel stove
- Keep flammable liquids (such as petrol and gas cylinders) outside and away from children
- Only change gas cylinders when they’re completely empty and store them away from caravans and vehicles
- Make sure the gas pipe connection is secure. If you suspect a leak, turn off the main cylinder valve
- Never smoke whilst changing your gas
What to do if there is a fire
- Keep calm and get everyone out as quickly as you can
- Call the fire and rescue service and give the exact location. Give a map reference if possible, or a landmark nearby such as a farm or pub
When staying in a tent it is important to never use candles in or near a tent – torches are much safer.
Top Tips when staying in a tent:
- Keep cooking appliances away from the tent walls as they could easily set alight
- Never cook inside a small tent
- Don’t cook near flammable materials or long grass, as they can set alight easily
- Make sure you know how to escape by cutting your way out of the tent if there is a fire
- Ensure everyone knows how to put out clothing using – stop, drop and roll
- Do not smoke inside the tent
Top Tips when staying in a caravan:
- Fit and test a smoke alarm in your caravan
- Make sure you take extra care when cooking – do not leave pans unattended
- Turn off all appliances before going to bed or leaving the caravan
- Make sure ashtrays are made of a material that cannot burn
- Don’t dry clothes over the stove
- Remove any litter/rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading
- Make sure the caravan is ventilated and never block any air vents – this is to avoid a build-up of poisonous gases
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
As we return to the closest we have been to some sort of normality, holidays are back on the cards. However, it is looking like staycations are going to remain […]
Now we are all able to travel more freely again it is important not to assume that electrical safety abroad is as good as here at home. Electrical safety standards in the UK are higher than in many other countries.
Despite obvious differences e.g., plugs and sockets, there are other aspects you should also be aware of. For example, electricity supplies worldwide can vary from anything between 100V – 240V but the normal voltage and frequency supply in the UK is 230 v 50Hz. This means it is not always safe to use UK electrical equipment that is rated at a voltage which is different to the foreign supply, therefore it is especially important to check before plugging your appliance in.
What are travel adaptors?
A travel adaptor is a device that allows you to plug any UK electrical appliance into a foreign electrical socket. However, it is important to note that it does not convert the voltage or frequency.
Keeping yourself safe is easy if you follow these simple rules:
- Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands
- Never touch light switches if they are cracked or show signs of damage
- Never plug equipment into a socket which looks damaged/cracked or has part/all of the cover missing
- Never use mains-powered electrical appliances in a bathroom
- Always check cables are securely attached and not cut or damaged in any way. Cables should also be checked for signs of overheating, such as discoloration
- Never ignore burning smells, sounds of arcing (buzzing/cracking), fuses blowing or scorch marks on plugs and sockets
- Always check that the travel adaptor you are using is the correct type for the country you are travelling to and never force it into a socket if it doesn’t easily fit.
Before you set off on your travels, consider the following tips:
- Find out about the type of sockets and the voltage used in the country you are visiting
- Think about the appliances you intend to take and whether you will need to use a travel adaptor or voltage converters (and what their power rating should be)
- Consider buying the travel adaptors and voltage converters before you go as not all products available abroad will meet British safety standards.
Safe travels!
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Now we are all able to travel more freely again it is important not to assume that electrical safety abroad is as good as here at home. Electrical safety standards […]
Wednesday 9th February, saw our Trade Business Development Manager Matt Humby speaking at the sell-out Institute of Fire Safety Managers Technical Meeting at the Milton Keynes Dons stadium.
Matt made a well-received presentation on the ever-growing risks of Lithium-Ion Battery fires and how and why they happen. He also showed some examples of Lithium battery fires in mobile phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, electric bikes, and electric scooters and shared some solutions for mitigating the risks and effectively fighting a Lithium battery fire.
The products contained in Firechief’s Lithium Battery Safety Range include specialist extinguishers and accessories – including battery fire blankets, fire resistant containers and fire suppression kits – all designed to stop Lithium-Ion battery fires fast.
‘It was a great honour to be asked to speak at this event’ said Matt afterwards. ‘The audience was very engaged in learning more about this subject and asked some excellent questions. Hopefully, we have managed to raise awareness of the dangers of Lithium battery fires in today’s world and how they can be effectively managed and tackled.’
As a token of their thanks and appreciation, Matt was presented with a commemorative plaque and lifetime membership of the IFSM. Well done, Matt!
To find out more about this subject, contact Matt Humby on 07908201270 or drop him an email matt.humby@senturagroup.com.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Wednesday 9th February, saw our Trade Business Development Manager Matt Humby speaking at the sell-out Institute of Fire Safety Managers Technical Meeting at the Milton Keynes Dons stadium. Matt made […]