Chimney Fire Safety Week 2019 – 2nd to 8th September – Nationwide!
Chimney Fire Safety Week was introduced in 2009 and aims to raise awareness of safe chimney use, including the importance of ensuring that chimneys are swept regularly, are clean and appropriate quality fuel is used.
The aim of Chimney Fire Safety Week is to reduce instances of chimney fires through raising awareness of safe chimney use, including the importance of ensuring that chimneys are swept regularly, are clean and appropriate quality fuel is used.
Whilst there was a reduction in nationwide chimney fires during the year April 2014-March 2015, there were still over 5,000 avoidable chimney fires. Chimney Fire Safety Week 2017 intends to reach out to consumers throughout the awareness week.
Chimneys should be swept according to the type of fuel being used:
- Smokeless Fuels – at least once a year
- Bituminous Coal – at least twice a year
- Wood – quarterly when in use
- Oil – once a year
- Gas – once a year (refer to Gas Safe Register)
Things to consider:
- Keep chimneys, flues and appliances clean and well maintained
- Be careful when using open fires to keep warm. Make sure you always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers
- Ensure the fire is extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house
- Never interrupt the air supply by blocking air vents or air bricks
- Avoid slumbering an appliance (unless it has been tested as safe to do so). Slumber mode is when an appliance is purposely set at a low or minimum output normally for overnight burning to be revived in the morning without the need for relighting.
- Chimneys that have been lined still require regular sweeping
Fuel for thought:
- Use the appropriate fuel for your appliance – some appliances will be suitable for wood only; some are multi-fuel – check your appliance instructions
- Never store the fuel next to the appliance
- When burning logs look for a fuel that is 20% moisture content or lower – source your fuel from an accredited supplier – visit Woodsure to find your local wood fuel supplier. woodsure.co.uk
- Get a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in accordance with Building Regulations (and test regularly)
- Last year over 200 people died in fires in the home. You’re at least 4 times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there’s no working smoke alarm.
Responsibilities for the maintenance of chimneys:
- Renters and owners
Any person that uses flue appliances has a responsibility to maintain the appliance and flue. It is often stated that people should take reasonable care within the terms of household insurance policies and in the instance of thatched properties, the frequency of sweeping required is often specified by the insurers.
- Landlords
Landlords have a duty of care to their tenants and are required: To repair and keep in working order, any room heater and water heating equipment.
- After a chimney fire
After a chimney fire has occurred it must be inspected thoroughly as soon as possible by a Certified Sweep before the chimney is used again. This is to ascertain if the rapid and dramatic changes of temperature, which would have occurred within the chimney, have caused any damage and also to determine the need for any remedial measures. It is imperative that the chimney is not used prior to inspection.
Firechief also advise that you have the appropriate firefighting equipment in your home to ensure that you can extinguish fire quickly and safely.
Firechief have a wide range of home fire extinguishers which can be used to put out chimney fires, in order to make sure you have the correct fire extinguishers - have a look at our blog ‘Fire Extinguishers at Home’.
References: Chimney Fire Safety Weeks
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019
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Chimney Fire Safety Week 2019 – 2nd to 8th September – Nationwide! Chimney Fire Safety Week was introduced in 2009 and aims to raise awareness of safe chimney use, including […]
Under Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (the 2005 Act) every employer shall identify hazards, assess risks and have a written risk assessment, including any unusual or other risks.
Effective fire safety should be a top priority for every business. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for fire safety protection. Each individual business will have its own collection of unique fire hazards. For example, shops and retail outlets will need to be mindful of flammable display materials, and plan for narrow or congested exit routes while restaurants will need to be aware of the risks posed by open flames, hot oil and other high-risk fuel sources.
As such, effective fire safety protocols tend to have a multifaceted approach; starting with a comprehensive risk assessment process and then branching out to address any areas of concern in the most effective way possible. This might mean looking for ways to update high-risk processes, investing in fire safety training for key members of staff, or establishing a more robust evacuation plan.
To help you get started, we’ve outlined a five-step process to help you:
Start with a fire risk assessment
A thorough fire risk assessment will help you to identify potential hazards, and provide you with an action plan that can be used to improve overall safety in the workplace.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) a good fire risk assessment:
- Explores all possible fire hazards
- Details all the people at risk during a fire (including staff, customers and contractors)
- Evaluates methods for reducing the risk of fire
- Details pre-existing fire safety aids
- Explores possible escape routes and evacuation protocols
You’ll find useful information on performing a fire safety assessment on the Gov.uk website alongside fire safety advice for various types of business.
Make sure that you have an EAP in place
In the event of a fire, a good EAP (or emergency action plan) can be the difference between life and death. EAPs are designed to cut down on panic, and ensure that staff know how to respond should the unthinkable happen. A thorough EAP will also account for all possible escape routes, and provide fallback options in the event that certain parts of your premises become cut off during a fire.
Make sure your staff receive the correct training
Last but not least, it’s very important that your staff receive the correct fire safety training. Trained staff will be better placed to spot risks, and take preventative action that’ll stop a fire breaking out in the first place. They’ll also be much quicker to respond in the event of an accidental fire, and it’s also worth noting that the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandates that all members of staff receive up-to-date fire safety training.
Invest in the correct equipment
Fire safety equipment is often the backbone of a robust fire safety strategy, so it pays to make sure you’ve invested in the right things. According to the HSE, proper emergency lighting, alarm systems and clear safety signs are all essential kit, as are fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and high-quality fire doors.
Under the terms of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is your responsibility to make sure you’ve made adequate provision so we’d strongly recommend sitting down, and thinking about the equipment that’s needed to guarantee effective fire safety protection.
Here at Firechief we have a wide range of fire safety products which will ensure your business has everything you need adhere to fire safety regulations.
References: Virtual College
For more information on our safety products, click here.
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019
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Under Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (the 2005 Act) every employer shall identify hazards, assess risks and have a written risk assessment, including […]
The RIBA is calling on the government to widen the scope of new building regulations to include other high-risk, non-residential buildings of any height.
In its response to the government consultation, building a Safer Future, on proposals to improve safety and minimise the risk of fire in high-rise buildings, the institute has recommended that, as well as residential buildings of 18m and above, the new regime should also apply to other buildings.
These include supported and sheltered housing, care homes, hospitals, hotels, hostels, prisons, detention centres, schools and places of assembly during the design and construction phase.
The RIBA also urged the government to designate the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) to oversee enhanced competence requirements of architects, arguing that, as the regulator, it should be responsible for the accreditation and licensing of qualifying bodies for architects, including the RIBA.
This latest consultation on proposed reforms to building safety regulations in England, which closed on Wednesday (31 July), builds on recommendations from Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The proposals cover: the scope of the new regime; the concept of duty holders, who have responsibility throughout a building’s design, construction and occupation; plans for a new building safety regulator; giving residents a stronger voice; and strengthening enforcement and sanctions to deter non-compliance with the new regulations.
The proposed changes would apply to residential buildings over 18m in height, rather than the ‘10 storeys’ (approximately 30m) suggested by Hackitt.
The RIBA welcomed this tighter regulation but expressed concern that England still lagged behind other countries, including Wales and Scotland, in standards for high-rise and other higher-risk buildings.
The institute is urging the government to ensure that all technical guidance issued to the industry be improved by the proposed building safety regulator, a new overseer role which will have ‘effective oversight of the regulatory system’. It is also recommending that significant changes are made to the proposed responsibilities for duty holders, which it suggests are ‘not clearly defined’ and ‘not currently workable as set out in the consultation’.
Jane Duncan, chair of the RIBA expert advisory group on fire safety, said: ‘Although a step in the right direction, the government’s proposals do not go far enough to protect the public and more work is needed, particularly to more clearly define the statutory duties of all involved in the industry.’
References: RIBA
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The RIBA is calling on the government to widen the scope of new building regulations to include other high-risk, non-residential buildings of any height. In its response to the government […]
The BSI’s recent update of the domestic fire detection and alarm system standard, specifically Part 6 of BS 5839, outlines the code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic properties.
Why the British Standards Institute (BSI) has updated the domestic fire detection and alarm systems standard
Around 80 per cent of UK fire deaths and injuries happen in domestic premises. Tragically, that adds up to over 300 deaths and around 9,000 injuries each year caused by fires in people’s homes, where they should feel safe.
Thankfully, however, fire detection and alarm systems can substantially reduce the risk of death or serious injury from fire. Fatality rates in fires where there’s a working smoke detector are between two and three times lower than in fires where no correctly functioning detector is present.
There’s also been an overall downward trend in domestic fire deaths since smoke alarms were first given recognition in BS 5839-1 in 1988. It means that Part 6 of the current British Standard on fire detection and alarm systems can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of fire death and injury, which is why the standard has been carefully revised over the past 18 months. The revision has now been published as BS 5839-6:2019 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings Part 6: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
The key standard for domestic premises
The BS 5839 series of standards began life with the publication of BS 5839-1 in 1980. It has since grown into nine-parts, splitting domestic and non-domestic premises and also dealing with a range of specific systems in detail.
Part 6 has become the key standard for domestic premises. This document supplies guidance and recommendations on planning, designing, installing, commissioning and maintaining detection and fire alarm systems. The recommendations refer principally to fire detection and fire alarm systems installed for the purpose of life safety but also include recommendations for systems that are intended to protect property. The standard covers homes designed to accommodate a single family; HMOs comprising a number of self-contained units, each designed to accommodate a single family; and sheltered housing, including both the dwelling units and the common areas.
It applies to both new and existing premises. Its recommendations can be applied to the fire detection components of combined domestic fire and intruder alarm systems, or fire and social alarm systems. The standard also includes recommendations for routine attention. The systems it covers range from those comprising a single self-contained smoke alarm to systems of the type described in BS 5839-1.
New recommendations have been added for fire detection in supported housing in particular, whilst revised guidance on the installation of communal fire alarm systems in purpose-built blocks of flats has also been introduced. The Standard has also been updated to reflect the updates made to Part 1 in 2017, which addresses non-domestic premises, combined with any other updates made to other Standards since the last full revision.
Below is an outline of the key changes to BS 5839-6 and the areas you should be aware of to ensure residents are offered the highest standard of fire protection throughout all types of domestic properties. This applies to property managers, architects, building professionals, installers and enforcing authorities.
Revised system grading for fire detection and fire alarm systems
Whilst BS 5839-6 has previously been split into six varying Grades, each outlining the level of protection appropriate for certain properties and their corresponding levels of risk, the new update has altered the six sections, removing Grade B and Grade E, whilst Grade D and Grade F have been split into Grade D1 / Grade D2 and Grade F1 / Grade F2 respectively. Grade C has been revised and its recommendations expanded.
The new grading system is as follows:
Grade A - Separate detectors, sounders and central control and indicating equipment with back-up power supply that conforms to British Standards BS EN 54.
Grade C - Separate detectors and sounders that are mains powered with back-up power supply and central control equipment.
Grade D1 - A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper proof standby supply consisting of a battery or batteries.
Grade D2 - A system of one or more mains-powered detectors, each with an integral standby supply consisting of a user replaceable battery or batteries.
Grade F1 - A system of one or more battery-powered detectors powered by a tamper proof primary battery or batteries.
Grade F2 - A system of one or more battery-powered detectors powered by a user replaceable primary battery or batteries.
You should adhere to the above grades when designing, constructing and managing fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic properties. You should also be aware of the revisions made to Table 1 of the Standard, which outlines the minimum grade and category of system that should be installed to provide protection of life in typical premises. The updates have been made to reflect current living conditions.
In conjunction with Table 1, a new table has also been created, which outlines the recommended testing and servicing by grade to prevent the blocking or delaying of fire alarm signals transmitted via social alarm systems in sheltered housing to an alarm receiving centre.
3 categories for fire detection and fire alarm systems
With regard to categories, the standard of protection in sheltered housing flats has been increased from Category LD2 to Category LD1, positioning it as a higher potential risk. To meet LD1 requirements, the installation of a fire detection system is required throughout the premises – this includes all rooms (and circulation areas that form part of the escape routes) except toilets, bathrooms and shower rooms.
The three categories for fire detection and fire alarm systems are listed below and outline where fire detection systems should be installed:
LD1 Maximum Protection – all areas where a fire could start
Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes and all areas where a fire might start, but not bathrooms, shower rooms or toilets, such as:
o Hallway
o Landing
o Living Room
o Kitchen
o Bedroom
o Airing / Meter Cupboards
o Loft
o Garage
LD2 Additional Protection – circulation spaces and high-risk rooms
Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes and rooms or areas that present a high fire risk such as:
o Hallway
o Landing
o Living Room
o Kitchen
LD3 Minimum Protection – escape routes only
Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes such as:
o Hallway
o Landing
Additional Guidance
The latest updates also outline the recommendation of optical smoke alarms or multi-sensor fire alarms featuring an optical sensor, to be installed in circulation areas such as hallways and landings.
Heat alarms should also be installed in kitchens to provide appropriate protection.
Interconnected alarms should also be installed throughout a property, dependent on the specific grade, through hard-wiring or wireless connections.
By following the latest changes to BS 5839-6, you can ensure the systems you install are not only fit for purpose for current living environments within domestic premises, but also ensure individuals are provided with the highest forms of protection available, contributing to the reduction in the number of fire deaths and injuries that occur each year.
References: Quantum Compliance
For more information on our safety products, click here.
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The BSI’s recent update of the domestic fire detection and alarm system standard, specifically Part 6 of BS 5839, outlines the code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and […]
Lithium batteries present a more frequent fire hazard each day as the number of consumer and industrial goods powered by them increases. Firechief have launch the ground breaking and highly effective Lith-Ex Fire Extinguisher range.
Firechief is proud to introduce the Firechief Lith-Ex extinguisher range, the fire extinguishers available for tackling Lithium-Ion battery fires. The high performance Lith-Ex extinguishers contain AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion) compound - a revolutionary fire extinguishing agent - and are designed to target high risk fires of a limited size. They are suited to confined spaces such as homes, hotel rooms, vehicles, public transport, aviation, marine or leisure and dedicated processes where in all instance’s fires need to be suppressed in their infancy before developing into a fully established fire.
Lith-Ex extinguishers are ideally suited for Lithium-based battery fires such as those which may occur with personal electronic devices, for example, mobile phones and tablets. They can also be used to protect against fires where batteries are under charge, and where batteries are stored; for example, goods distribution, battery collection bins, battery recycling locations, public services, battery charging stations and many other scenarios.
The Lith-Ex Extinguisher is compact, lightweight, easy to store, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It will extinguish uncontrollable flames, quickly cool the excessive heat and prevent re-ignition, something that an ABC powder extinguisher or other liquid-based extinguishers will not be able to do on a Lithium-ion battery fire.
How it works:
When a lithium-ion cell goes into thermal runaway (increase in temperature) there are multiple possible sources of heat; for example:
- Combustion – burning of electrolyte, packaging etc.,
- Ohmic – resistive heating caused by high current flow through short circuits,
- Thermodynamic – if the electrodes are no longer isolated then the system will revert to its lowest energy state for that temperature as long as the activation energy is met,
- Chemical – reaction of the electrode material with other components of the battery (electrolyte), thermal decomposition of the metal oxide electrode, especially cobalt oxide.
In addition to this multitude of mechanisms, the design of the cell often prevents direct access of the extinguishing agent to the source of the fire. Thus, it is difficult to extinguish the fire, permanently cool all of the components to below their auto-ignition temperature and prevent re-ignition by delayed reaction processes.
Benefits of choosing Lith-Ex:
Water is a good agent for extinguishing and cooling Class A fires; however, water has a problem in that it flows away from the target and hence requires continuous discharge until the fire is extinguished and cooled. For class A fires this is not usually an issue but for a battery in thermal runaway, heat generating processes continue until all the stored energy is dissipated; this means that the temperature can rise again leading to re-ignition. What is needed is an agent that can overcome these limitations.
AVD is a stable dispersion of refractory vermiculite platelets in water. When applied to the initial fire, AVD quickly extinguishes it; the water cools the system, the high surface area mineral platelets interrupt the radical chain reaction and a refractory film forms which impedes oxygen diffusion to the fuel source.
Another advantage of AVD is that as it dries it forms a thermally insulating film which reduces the risk of thermal runaway propagation to adjacent cells. The non-combustible vermiculite film also coats the packaging of adjacent cells preventing the spread of fire. The film also isolates combustible components from the air, preventing ignition.
The Firechief high-performance Lith-Ex extinguishers are designed, tested and manufactured in Europe, ensuring complete control over the quality of this technically advanced product. Together with our technical expertise and support, Lith-Ex extinguishers are a safe and reliable choice.
Committed to quality & the environment:
As you would expect from a UK company that is committed to quality, we adhere to relevant industry standards. Lith-Ex Extinguishers are certified according to the European standard EN3-7:2004 + A1:2007.
The extinguishing agent AVD is environmentally friendly and is made from naturally occurring vermiculite which is propelled using nitrogen.
This Fire Extinguisher offers protection against class A, Lithium and Electrical type fires.
Top tips to minimize the risk of fire or explosion
The risk of fire or explosion increases if the Lithium-Ion battery is exposed to hot conditions or the battery or internal components are damaged, so simply dropping or crushing your mobile phone could cause it to catch fire. To reduce the risk of a battery fire incident:
- Avoid storing devices with lithium-ion batteries in places with high temperatures such as in a hot vehicle or even a warm pocket.
- Avoid overcharging your devices.
- Avoid keeping all your lithium ion battery devices together. When you travel, especially on a plane, you’ll likely have all your electronic items in one bag. This may be unavoidable but try to keep some space between the devices. Although having lithium-ion batteries in close proximity does not increase the risk of a fire, if there is an accident, the other batteries could catch fire and make the situation worse. Lithium Battery Fires can quickly exceed temperatures of 800ºC – three times hotter than an oven!
The Firechief range of products set the standard for those who are seeking competitively priced, superior quality, UK-approved fire safety products. Look out for the Firechief brand for products you can trust to help keep you safe. Contact sales@firechiefglobal.com or call us on 0330 999 0019 to find out your local stockist
For more information on our safety products, click here.
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019
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Lithium batteries present a more frequent fire hazard each day as the number of consumer and industrial goods powered by them increases. Firechief have launch the ground breaking and highly […]
By law, if you employ more than 5 people then a fire risk assessment needs to be carried out. Now, we’re not guaranteeing that these items will get you through a fire safety inspection, but we are sure that they will help ensure your office is a safer place.
What are the essentials?
Fire Extinguishers
It’s simple, if you need to put out a fire – what do you need? It doesn’t matter what sector or industry your business is in you need a fire extinguisher. In an office setting, consider combining a 2kg Co2 fire extinguisher and a 6 litre Water fire extinguisher to cover multiple fire risks. All premises vary in risk.
Fire Log Book
A Fire Log Book and Safety Manual gives you the ability to manage and record your business’ fire safety policy whilst keeping up with the latest rules and regulations – it also allows you to keep your fire safety documents and records in one place. You have easy access to an explanation of the new regulations, a fire risk assessment guide, a fire safety checklist, log sheets on maintenance of extinguishers and alarms, as well as employee fire safety training record sheets… basically everything you need for a comprehensive fire safety record.
Health and Safety Law Poster
If you employ somebody, then by law you need to display a Health and Safety Law Poster in clear sight or give out an equivalent pocket card to each employee. The poster offers information regarding mandatory Health and Safety guidelines and statutory responsibilities for staff and visitors under the Healthy and Safety at Work Act. We recommend fixing one to the wall in foyers, reception areas and communal spaces so it’s easily seen by anybody who enters your premises.
First Aid Kit
First aid kits are vital for any office, allowing for quick treatment of minor injuries by a trained First Aider. We recommend also having an Accident Book, which should be used to record accident information as part of your health and safety management procedures.
Fire Alarms
Fire Alarms and Detectors can quite literally save lives, providing an early warning of a potential fire to everybody in the premises. By installing a fire alarm or a smoke detector, you are allowing more time for an orderly evacuation and the opportunity to tackle the fire before it gets bigger and increasingly dangerous. Our Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Combination Alarm will provide peace of mind against multiple threats: smoke, potentially from a fire, as well as Carbon Monoxide (CO). Installation of alarms and detectors can be straight forward and we recommend that they are checked at least once a month, which is a small task when it could be the difference between life and death.
Emergency Lighting
Emergency Lighting serves as a backup plan in your safety system, using a battery as another power source when power has failed or been cut off. This lighting helps to highlight the exit path in the event of an emergency and BS5266 reinforces the importance of regular testing to ensure everything is in working order. In the case of a power outage, people will still be able to follow the exit signs because the emergency lighting will make them easily visible.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 gathered all fire safety legislation for premises of a non-domestic nature into a single Order, where the owner/employer/occupier is required to actively pursue and maintain fire safety and take responsibility for staff and visitors of their premises.
For more information on our safety products, click here.
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019
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By law, if you employ more than 5 people then a fire risk assessment needs to be carried out. Now, we’re not guaranteeing that these items will get you through […]
Fireproof blankets are ideal for putting out fires in small burning pans, so it is recommended to keep one in the kitchen and learn fire blanket use to handle it correctly and safely. A fire retardant blanket will give peace of mind to a home or restaurant owner and a car fireproof blanket is always a good idea as well.
When cooking, if a pan catches light under no circumstances should you pour water onto the flames. This will result in the fire spreading out rapidly, often with devastating consequences. Therefore, if you decide to tackle a pan fire, the safest and effective method is using a fire resistant blanket.
Fireproof blankets are made from glass fibre fabric, with a thin fire-resistant coating. They work by stopping the air flow to the fire, starving it of oxygen – one of the vital ingredients that fire needs to keep burning. They are a much safer option than the traditional wet tea-towel approach, which since 2008 has been advised against in government fire safety campaigns.
Before using a fireproof blanket, firstly you have to judge if it is safe to fight the fire. This will depend on whether the blanket is big enough to cover the full area of the fire and therefore cut off the oxygen supply to the flames.
As always in the case of fire, you should use caution and if there’s any doubt that you can put out the fire safely, shut the kitchen door behind you, get out and dial 999 straight away.
- Turn off the source of heat if it is safe to do so, if not do this as soon as possible after the flames have been extinguished. - Pull the fire blanket out of its container and stretch it out fully, making sure that it covers the size of the fire. - Keep the blanket at arm’s length and approach the fire – looking over the top of the blanket, so you have a clear view of what you are doing. - Cover the burning pan, completely smothering the flames. - Leave the blanket in place for at least 30 minutes to an hour before removing to avoid re-ignition. - After putting the blanket on the flames – leave the room, shutting the door behind you and call the fire brigade. They will need to make sure everything is safe before you can re-enter the building, so this is important even if the fire has been put out.
For fires in commercial kitchens, it is also recommended to have a wet chemical fire extinguisher at hand as these are the only type of fire extinguisher designed specifically for use on fires in the kitchen involving volume of cooking oil as in deep fat fryers.
The Firechief range of products set the standard for those who are seeking superior quality, UK-approved fire safety products. Look out for the Firechief brand for products you can trust to help keep you safe.
Contact sales@firechiefglobal.com or call us on 0330 999 0019.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Fireproof blankets are ideal for putting out fires in small burning pans, so it is recommended to keep one in the kitchen and learn fire blanket use to handle it […]
Each workplace should have an established fire safety plan which every staff member is made aware of. As part of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a number of different fire safety signs should be utilised on-site to provide the following:
- Information on emergency exits and escape routes
- Visual markers for where firefighting equipment is located
- Practical ways of raising the alarm
All fire safety signs fall into one of four main categories, each with a distinctive colour associated with their respective area of fire safety.
Types of fire safety signs
Location of firefighting equipment – Red
Red signs signify the location of firefighting equipment, allow for easy identification in an emergency. This includes fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hoses and fire buckets. These signs may also carry additional information about the correct usage of the respective firefighting equipment, such as prohibited methods of operation.
Location of evacuation routes – Green
Green signs convey the location of doors, exits and escape routes used for emergency escapes. Some of these will be backlit to allow for better visibility in the dark and ensure people can find escape routes in almost any conditions.
Location of potential hazards – yellow
Yellow signs indicate a dangerous substance in the vicinity which you should be cautious of. These will typically carry the words ‘Danger’ or ‘Caution’ to reinforce their importance, as the substances can cause major damage if improperly handled.
Relevant safety information – Blue
Blue signs provide notice of instructions relating to fire safety, including what to do in the event of a fire. Sometimes called ‘Fire Action Notices’, they provide vital information of what to do in the event of a fire, including colour coded instructions of where to do and what to look for. Normally, blank spaces are left on these signs to allow workplaces to write bespoke locations for assembly points and who to report things to.
Prohibition signs – White with red
Prohibition signs are made up of a white sign with a red circle and diagonal line, creating the classic ‘Do Not’ symbol over an image. The most common one of these signs you’ll have seen in the ‘No Smoking’ sign, which will be especially prominent in areas where there are flammable materials nearby. As mentioned in the Fire Action Notices, you will see prohibition notices when outlining what not to do in the event of a fire.
If you’re looking to purchase a fire safety signs, visit our website: www.firechiefglobal.com.
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019
References: Virtual College
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Each workplace should have an established fire safety plan which every staff member is made aware of. As part of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a number of […]
The government needs to “get serious about fire safety before it’s too late”, firefighters have said, following an investigation into potentially dangerous fridges.
An investigation by the consumer group Which? has revealed that fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers with flammable plastic backing are still being sold, despite being banned by the government.
New tests come into force today that will prevent manufacturers from producing plastic-backed fridges and freezers, like the one believed to have started the Grenfell Tower fire.
However, existing stock is not covered by this change, so businesses are still legally allowed to sell products of this kind.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “This worrying revelation highlights the government’s utter complacency on fire safety. The government has repeatedly said it is learning the lessons from Grenfell, but two years on, it has done nothing to prevent the sale of the same hazardous appliances that started that fire.
“Tens of thousands of people still live in buildings covered with flammable cladding, while countless other fire safety failings go unnoticed.
“Cuts to our fire and rescue service have continued, subjecting residents to a postcode lottery of safety when a fire starts. The government needs to get serious about fire safety before it’s too late.”
Which? has carried out tests on plastic-backed fridge-freezers by setting them alight and comparing the results to those from metal-backed fridge.
According to the group, the latter type was able to contain the spread of the fire for far longer, while the former was engulfed in flames and pumping out black smoke within a minute.
Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?, said:
“These fire-risk products have been banned in the US for years, so new standards that will ensure they can no longer be manufactured for sale in the UK are long overdue.
“But it is deeply concerning that retailers may continue to sell these potentially dangerous models for many months to get rid of existing stock.
“If you are looking to buy a new fridge-freezer, make sure you are vigilant and don’t buy one with plastic backing. Retailers with any stock that was produced to the old standard should make the safety of their customers the number one priority and take them off sale immediately.”
In order to ensure your home and family are safe in the event of a fire, it is important to purchase the correct fire extinguisher for fires which you can put out yourself.
In terms of the number of home fire extinguishers you should have, try to have at least one per floor, so you have it available in case of an emergency. Also, know when to go. Fire extinguishers are only one part of a fire response plan, but the primary element is to escape safely.
Extinguishers should be placed along escape routes from the house. Areas that are prone to fires, such as the kitchen, furnace area, garage and workshop, should also always have a fire extinguisher readily available.
Every household extinguisher is labelled A, B, or C, which tells you the types of fires the extinguisher is effective against. A is ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth; B is flammable liquids, such as gasoline or cooking oil; and C is live electricity.
If you’re looking to purchase a fire extinguisher, visit our website: www.firechiefglobal.com.
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019
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The government needs to “get serious about fire safety before it’s too late”, firefighters have said, following an investigation into potentially dangerous fridges. An investigation by the consumer group Which? […]
Fire blankets might sound simple – but there are plenty of essential rules to follow to ensure that the fire blanket does what it is meant to: smother a fire and put it out.
In a recent article, published by the Fire Industry Association (FIA) they provide further information on the updated Code of Practice, as well as, how you can ensure you are following the correct steps when commissioning a fire blanket.
If you’re a building owner, a consultant, a fire risk assessor or just work in the fire industry – then all the below information will help you to be able to select, install, maintain, and commission a fire blanket (or choose someone who can).
First things first: fire blankets are designed to extinguish small fires in and around the kitchen and the home. In some instances, the blanket alone may not be enough and a portable fire extinguisher may also need to be used – for example fires in small containers where the blanket creates a lid, such as food in a sauce pan or waste in a small bin.
In all instances of possible causes of fire, it is important to consider the potential size of the fire and therefore the size of blanket required. BSEN1869 states that the smallest fire blanket size allowed is 0.9m x 0.9m, however there are currently no approved blankets of this size. The most common sizes available are 1mx1m, 1.1mx1.1m, 1.2mx1.2m, 1.2mx1.8m and 1.8mx1.8m. A smaller blanket might be suitable for things such as spilled candle wax on a counter, or food in a frying pan or a baking tray, but not for other purposes. As such the use of fire blankets should be tailored to the type of fire that it is likely to be used for, and every opportunity should be taken to instruct personnel in the use of fire blankets, and to demonstrate their performance.
The next thing to note is that the location of the blanket and accessibility of said blanket are vitally important. As you likely know, small fires can very quickly become large fires in a matter of minutes or even seconds, so the location of the blanket becomes particularly vital in these situations, since it will be used for first aid firefighting.
Fire blankets should not be located where a potential fire might prevent access to them; over or close to heating appliances; in concealed positions behind kitchen furniture and/or equipment, behind doors, in cupboards, drawers or deep recesses; or where they might be damaged.
The best place for a fire blanket is mounted on the wall, marked with the correct signage, red in colour, and where they will be easily seen. A fire blanket should be in the same room as where it is likely to be used and the user of the blanket should not have to walk through any doorway in order to gain access to the blanket (due to the fact that by the time they come back, a fire blanket may not be adequate, since the fire may have spread and be too large for a blanket to work).
The process of the commissioning a fire blanket should involve a visual inspection of the blanket itself. Check that the fire blanket has not been used, is not obviously damaged, or has any hand hold devices missing/unsatisfactorily affixed to the blanket.
After any visual inspection is important to put the blanket back exactly as directed by the manufacturer. Remember to replace any safety element designed to show whether the blanket has been deployed, and ensure the blanket is clean and dust free, ready for use again.
A full explanation of commissioning a fire blanket is available in the technical document released by the FIA, ‘Code of Practice for the Selection, Installation, Commissioning and maintenance of Fire Blankets manufactured to BS EN 1869’, including a step by step walkthrough, and more in-depth information regarding servicing, labelling, and when to replace a fire blanket.
The guide has been recently updated with the latest information and written by industry experts to provide you with the most accurate information possible about fire blankets.
Firechief manufacture a wide range of Fire Safety Equipment, have a look on our website – www.firechiefglobal.com.
For more information on our fire safety products, click here.
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019
References:
FIA[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Fire blankets might sound simple – but there are plenty of essential rules to follow to ensure that the fire blanket does what it is meant to: smother a fire and put it out.
In a recent article, published by the Fire Industry Association (FIA) they provide further information on the updated Code of Practice, as well as, how you can ensure you are following the correct steps when commissioning a fire blanket.
According to a recent article published by Inside Housing, the government has launched a new group which will see social landlords and their residents explore ways to improve tenant engagement over building safety.
Social housing tenants are to join their landlords in a new government-backed ‘best practice’ group to look at ways of improving how tenants can communicate concerns over fire and building safety issues in the future.
The government has launched the Social Sector (Building Safety) Engagement Best Practice Group that will see eight social landlords take part.
Housing associations including Clarion, Optivo, Chelmer Housing Partnership and Phoenix Community Housing will be part of the group, with Sheffield City and Stockport Homes also listed as members.
Each social landlord will be joined by one of its residents at the group’s monthly meetings to discuss and agree short-term initiatives to be piloted across the organisations to ensure residents are better informed about the safety of their buildings and have a greater say in work carried out.
The group will present its findings to the government after six months, and these findings will be used to shape future policy on tenant engagement.
It will be independently chaired by Victoria Elvidge, who is currently a board member of the government’s leasehold advisory service LEASE and was previously vice chair of Sanctuary Group.
She will be assisted by Paul Everall, chief executive of the Local Authority Building Control, and Tim Birchall, fire safety technical officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The launch of the group follows the Social Housing Green Paper last August, which committed the government to establishing a group of social landlords to look at tenant engagement.
Dame Judith Hackitt’s report on fire safety that was published last May also called for the government to test ways to engage with residents and give them a bigger say in the fire safety work carried out on their buildings.
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government then confirmed it would to launch a group as part of its response to the Hackitt Review published in December last year.
Kit Malthouse, housing minister, said: “Everyone deserves a safe and decent place to call home.
“As our Social Housing Green Paper and implementation plan set out, we are keen to pilot new and engaging options to ensure social housing residents are better informed on issues that matter most to them – none more so than their safety.
“This new group will see social landlords and their residents come together to explore new ways to trial this that will help inform wider reforms as we look to rebalance the relationship between landlord and residents.”
The Firechief range includes high performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire equipment cabinets and stands, fire alarm equipment, fire hose and brigade equipment, fire suppression systems, fire pumps and fire safety signage. Our products are suitable for use in every environment including at the office, in commercial and public buildings, on construction sites, in hotels – and in the home.
For more information on our fire safety products, click here.
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
According to a recent article published by Inside Housing, the government has launched a new group which will see social landlords and their residents explore ways to improve tenant engagement over building safety.
Social housing tenants are to join their landlords in a new government-backed ‘best practice’ group to look at ways of improving how tenants can communicate concerns over fire and building safety issues in the future.
In approximately 80% of all fire incidents, a simple portable fire extinguisher is all that is needed to put out the fire. Studies have also shown that 60% of fires go unnotified. This means that the fire is not severe and can be handled easily with a fire extinguisher.
In terms of the number of home fire extinguishers you should have, try to have at least one per floor, so you have it available in case of an emergency. Also, know when to go. Fire extinguishers are only one part of a fire response plan, but the primary element is to escape safely.
Water
Foam
Dry Powder (ABC rated)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Dry Water Mist
Each Floor. Keep at least 1 fire extinguisher in a central location on each floor of your home.
Garage/Workshop
Laundry Room
Bedrooms
Patio and Grill
Other Areas where you think one could be useful.
Every household extinguisher is labelled A, B, C or F which tells you the types of fires the extinguisher is effective against. A is ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth; B is flammable liquids, such as gasoline or cooking oil C is live electricity; and F is cooking oil and fat fires.
While fire extinguishers are needed to put out small fires, they also have an amazing benefit towards the environment. By having the ability to control fires, fire extinguishers limit the amount of pollution that is caused by smoke and burning debris.
Don’t attempt to use an extinguisher on a fire unless you feel it is safe for you to do so
Position the extinguisher where you can get to it quickly, like the hall.
Buy extinguishers that you can carry easily.
Don’t position extinguishers over a heater or fire, but do fix them to the wall, so they are out of reach of children but still easily accessed.
Read the instructions and be familiar with how to use your extinguishers. Don’t leave it until you have a fire
If you require the extinguishers for a business (including letting premises) you must have them serviced once a year.
If you are using a fire extinguisher on a fire, keep yourself on the escape route side of the fire.
Firechief manufacture a wide range of Fire Extinguishers which are suitable for home use.
For more information see our home fire extinguishers information page.
To speak to our team, call: 0330 999 0019.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
In approximately 80% of all fire incidents, a simple portable fire extinguisher is all that is needed to put out the fire. Studies have also shown that 60% of fires go unnotified. This means that the fire is not severe and can be handled easily with a fire extinguisher.