Fire Safety in every building is important however, when it comes to fire safety in factories and warehouses, there is not just the risk of lives but also to a business’ main assets. This could be machinery or stock, so even a small fire could impact these elements of a business with a catastrophic impact on revenue and productivity.
As warehouses are most commonly used to hold stock it is a good idea to constantly review your fire prevention measures based on what the building contains. This includes selecting the correct fire extinguishers based on the type of materials most likely to be kept.
City Fire Protection have collated ten tips to help consider how fire can be prevented as follows:
- Fire Risk Assessments
Fire risk assessments should be carried out regularly, or when any major changes occur to the premises, providing an overview of hazards, people at risk, training required and how to reduce any risks
- PAT Testing
All portable electrical equipment should be in good condition and suitable to use. PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) (PAT) helps to identify any potential dangers so they can be resolved before causing any damage
- Regular Maintenance of Equipment
From simple machinery to forklifts, regular maintenance on all equipment will allow you to spot faults and thereby prevent a fire
Integral to any fire safety plan, you should have the right extinguisher class, in good working order to meet the unique hazards posed in your warehouse/factory. It is a good idea to have staff training too, enabling them to feel confident when choosing and using the right extinguisher for small fires
An effective way of alerting people to a fire and help locate the source in larger buildings is a fire alarm. These can be tailored to your building’s layout
Fire doors help slow the spread of fire and smoke as well as protecting key evacuation routes. Different resistance times are available based on your building
Photoluminescent signs help to highlight dangers, providing instruction and direction concerning fire safety
There should always be a nominated, competent person/s in your building to implement fire safety, and fire warden training is a great way to give them the knowledge and skills to carry this role out properly
- Sprinkler Systems
There are a variety of sprinkler systems that meet specific risks, but all types can help to manage a blaze should the worst happen
Emergency lighting is to illuminate safe exit routes, helping to save lives
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.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Fire Safety in every building is important however, when it comes to fire safety in factories and warehouses, there is not just the risk of lives but also to a […]
We are delighted to welcome Megan Pollard to the Sentura team. Megan joins us as Customer Care Assistant and is excited to get stuck in, developing her communication and confidence skills through interactions with customers.
Megan has just finished her A levels, having studied Geography, History and English, all of which she thoroughly enjoyed. Megan also developed her love of cooking by taking an extra subject called Chef Skills during her time at school and is not afraid to test herself on quite technical or complicated recipes!
Having grown up around the business as the third generation, Megan is excited to now be joining the team herself. She is keen to take on new challenges within her role and is looking forward to being helpful and making a difference whilst learning about the products.
Outside of work, Megan enjoys cooking, reading, music and singing!
Megan would best describe herself as considerate, sympathetic, thoughtful, determined, and passionate.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]We are delighted to welcome Megan Pollard to the Sentura team. Megan joins us as Customer Care Assistant and is excited to get stuck in, developing her communication and confidence […]
Child Safety Week 2021 takes place between 7th – 13th June 2021. This year the Children’s Burns Trust are working alongside the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) to raise awareness of the number of children that are seriously burned and scaled each year, many of which are entirely preventable.
A small child’s skin burns really easily as it’s so thin, these scars are physical as well as psychological and can present life-long challenges for the individual and their families.
The majority of injuries occur as a result of an accident. It is really simple to make sure it doesn’t happen to your child. Here’s how:
Hot Drinks
Stay hot enough to scald a small child even after 15 minutes
- Look for safe zones in your house where your child cannot reach your hot drink
- Try getting into the habit of putting your child down before picking up your hot drink
Hair Straighteners
Can get as hot as an iron and can still burn 15 minutes after being switched off
- Keep straighteners & wands out of reach when using them
- Put them in a heat-proof pouch or on a high shelf to cool
Button Batteries
If a child swallows a lithium coin cell battery and it gets stuck in their food pipe, it can burn a hole causing internal bleeding and even death
- Keep loose batteries out of reach and dispose of those ‘flat’ batteries quickly and safely
- Keep objects out of reach if they have button batteries the child can get to
Cooking
Young children don’t automatically pull away from something that is burning them and may forget the rules of not touching hot things
- Push kettles to the back of the workshop and use back rings of the cooker first
- Ideally keep children out of the kitchen or try keeping them in a highchair or away from the cooker
Bath water
These scalds are incredibly nasty and can happen in seconds
- Put cold water in first then top up with hot
- Test the temperature of the water with your elbow before putting the child into the bath
- Stay with your child in the bathroom in case they fiddle with the hot tap
Fires and Heaters
- A great risk to small children
- Move cots away from radiators
- Fit fireguards around fires and heaters
Child Safety Week is organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust to raise awareness of the risks of child accidents and how they can be prevented. They offer a range of resources to help promote safety messages in both a fun and engaging way for children. Events are held by a range of different organisations and individuals, including children’s centres, childminders, fire and rescue teams, hospitals, schools etc.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Child Safety Week 2021 takes place between 7th – 13th June 2021. This year the Children’s Burns Trust are working alongside the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) to raise awareness […]
With the weather looking up for this bank holiday weekend it is likely that many of us will be getting out the barbecue or going away in the caravan or staying in a tent. As exciting as this is now we are allowed to meet up with friends and family, it is as crucial as ever to stay safe and eliminate any potential risks.
To avoid injuries or damage to property, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service recommend following these simple precautions:
Barbecue fire safety tips:
- Never leave a barbecue unattended
- Ensure the barbecue is on a flat surface, well away from a shed, trees or shrubs
- Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area
- Keep a bucket of water / sand nearby for emergencies
- Ensure the barbecue is cool before attempting to move it
Be carbon monoxide aware:
Never use fuel-burning devices (e.g., disposable barbecues, camping stoves, camping heaters, lanterns etc) inside a tent. Using these indoors can cause Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. They give off fumes for hours after you have used them – levels high enough to result in CO poisoning.
To avoid hazardous CO exposures, fuel-burning equipment should never be used inside a tent, camper, or any other enclosed shelter. Fuel burning equipment includes camping stoves, heaters, lanterns etc. Opening tent flaps, doors or windows is insufficient to prevent build up of CO concentrations from these devices. When using these fuel-burning devices outdoors, the exhaust should not vent into enclosed shelters.
The biggest danger is the use of flammable liquids to light the barbecue, this is incredibly dangerous.
Staying in a tent?
TOP TIP! Never use candles in or near a tent – torches are safer.
Make sure to:
- 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, 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
- Make sure everyone knows how to put out clothing that is on fire - stop, drop and roll
- Don’t smoke inside tents
Going away and staying in a caravan?
Make sure to:
- Fit and test a smoke alarm in your caravan – optical alarms are usually most effective
- Take special care when cooking – don’t leave pans unattended
- Turn off all appliances before you go out or to bed
- Ashtrays are made of a material that can’t burn and never smoke in bed
- Don’t dry clothes over the stove
- Remove any litter and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of a fire spreading
- Make sure the caravan is ventilated and never block air vents, avoiding a build-up of poisonous gases
Here at Firechief, we want you to feel safe while having fun. Our mission is to work hard everyday to protect lives and property from fire by providing a range of fire safety products that can be trusted to perform when the heat is on.
Firechief products carry a range of accreditations such as the BSI Kitemark, LPCB approval, MED certification, CE mark and Apragaz QA and set the standard for those who are seeking competitively priced, superior quality, UK-approved fire safety products.
The Firechief range includes high performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and Firechief Alarms for barbeque fire safety, your home, and leisure time. Download our fire safety checklist.
For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
With the weather looking up for this bank holiday weekend it is likely that many of us will be getting out the barbecue or going away in the caravan or […]
Virtually every type of premises is subject to fire safety legislation and in all premises the risk of fire is ever present.
As a result, there are a range of different fire safety items that are likely to be necessary whether it’s an office, hotel, factory, warehouse or other commercial or public premises you need to protect.
Fire Extinguishers
Statistics show most workplace fires are put out with fire extinguishers and it’s no surprise that legislation requires suitable fire-fighting appliances in premises. The number and type of extinguishers depends on the size of your premises and the risks present, but generally you will need at least one, if not more, from the following types of fire extinguisher:
- Water extinguisher: The oldest form of firefighting agent, water is still most effective where the primary risk is fires in solid materials such as wood, paper, textiles, etc.
- Water additive extinguisher: By adding a wetting agent these extinguishers increase the effectiveness and penetration of the water into burning solids, meaning smaller, lighter, easier to use extinguishers can be selected.
- Foam extinguisher: A popular choice for multiple risk areas containing flammable solids and flammable liquids, with both a cooling action and a blanketing action preventing re-ignition.
- Wet Chemical: The preferred choice for kitchens as effective on cooking oil fires, both cooling the oil and forming a soapy blanket over the oil to stop re-flash.
- Carbon Dioxide: A gaseous agent ideal for electrical equipment as non-conductive and able to penetrate enclosures. Also effective on flammable liquid fires and being clean is popular where delicate equipment may be present such as laboratories.
- ABC Dry Powder: A good all rounder for flammable solids, liquids, gases, and electrical fires. Its powerful knockdown makes it popular for vehicles, petrol stations and high risk areas, although care should be taken on using these indoors.
- Lith-ex: An aqueous solution of minerals designed specifically for the unique hazard from Lithium-ion batteries, both cooling and encapsulating the affected cells.
Fire Alarm Systems
It is important to detect a fire in its early stages and warn occupiers to allow prompt escape and timely intervention. Three distinct types of electrical fire alarm system are available:
- Commercial (BS5839-1) systems: For use in workplaces these comprise manual call points, automatic detectors and alarm sounders linked to a central control panel with both mains and battery power. Enhancements include visual devices using powerful LEDS, ideal for high noise environments or where the hearing impaired are present.
- Residential (BS5839-6) systems: From the humble battery operated smoke alarm through to radio linked mains powered systems a range of equipment is available to meet all possible needs in the home, small HMO or Holiday let
- Construction systems: Solid durable self-contained battery powered units comprising call point, alarm sounder (and beacon if desired), these systems are more reliable than gongs or horns and many have the advantage of wireless linking for larger sites as well as additional features such as first aid/accident alarms
Most importantly, don’t forget to test your alarm system weekly!
Fire Exit Signs
Signage is important to aid people in finding their way to the nearest exit and should be present at changes of direction, doorways, and final exits from a building. A range of signage is available including the high performance photoluminescent (glow in the dark) signs and a wide range of internally illuminated LED exit signs, both of which will still point people in the right direction long after a building’s power supply fails
Emergency Lighting
Power cuts can happen for many reasons, not just from fire, so it’s important to have a good emergency lighting installation. Read our Emergency Lighting blog for more information on this important subject.
Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are a handy way to tackle small, contained fires involving flammable solids, liquids, and cooking oils as well as fires in clothing, so are ideal in a range of environments including kitchens, laboratories, welding workshops and many more. Find out more about fire blankets here.
Fire Safety Logbooks and document storage cabinets
It’s important in all premises, but especially residential premises, to have useful information on things such as building layout, fire strategy, risks present and vulnerable occupiers on site in a single easy to reach location. Document storage cabinets are ideal for installation in the foyers of buildings or outside entrances with a range of options available.
Legislation requires you have a suitable system of testing and maintenance for your fire safety equipment, but how do you demonstrate compliance and keep track of your testing? Fire logbooks are a handy way of keeping those important records to hand.
First Aid Kit
All workplaces must have a suitably stocked first aid kit. However, it’s not uncommon for items to be used and not replaced – plus nearly all items have an expiry date too! Why not check your first aid kit now in case it’s time to restock.
PPE & Infection control equipment
Fortunately, we look to be gaining the upper hand against the Covid-19 pandemic, however it’s likely that some of the hygiene process and precautions will remain with us for the long term. We have a range of PPE and infection control products that will ensure you maintain a good hygiene regime in your premises.
Life is precious and property and assets matter, so at Fire Depot we make it our mission to provide quality, approved fire protection equipment and to share fire safety advice and fire equipment recommendations. Visit www.firedepot.co.uk for more fire safety product information or call us on 0330 999 2233 to speak to our friendly team of experts.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Virtually every type of premises is subject to fire safety legislation and in all premises the risk of fire is ever present. As a result, there are a range of […]
A total of 246 Firechief Kitchen Stove Guards have been installed in luxury apartments at One Crown Place, the latest high-rise addition to London’s skyline. Located between the City of London and Shoreditch, the development features two architect designed prismatic towers of 28 and 33 storeys.
The Fire Safety Challenge
Each of the apartments has an open plan, Italian designed kitchen area so to comply with the Fire Safety regulations for high-rise living accommodation, each apartment needed to be fitted with a kitchen fire suppression system meaning highly visible pipework, fire detection mechanisms and nozzles spoiling the aesthetic finish of the properties.
In addition, these types of systems activate when fire is detected and cause collateral damage when the extinguishing chemicals are discharged. They also need to be installed and maintained by a specialist technician. Due to all these factors, the team of architects, designers, and builders responsible for the development were open to the idea of an alternative, unobtrusive design-led fire prevention solution.
Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard chosen as the solution
The fitting of the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard solution brought a number of benefits to the One Crown Place apartments:
- Sleek sensor design, sympathetic to the design led décor of the apartment kitchens
- Intelligent fire safety technology which prevents fires long before they can start. The heat sensor activates the cooker switch when pre-fire conditions are detected instead of reacting to extinguish a fire once it has actually begun
- Easier and simpler installation - undertaken by the electrical contractors already working on site rather than a specialist fire suppression installation engineer
- No annual maintenance required
- Lower cost – less than half the cost of a fire suppression system
- Continuous 24/7 protection for peace of mind. The device monitors and adapts to the occupiers cooking style
- Automatic fault diagnosis constantly analyses the Kitchen Stove Guard’s function when the hob is in use – no monthly testing
- Fulfils the requirements of Stove Guard Standard EN 50615
How it works
The Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard is a device that works out when the temperature of cooking is too high (and therefore potentially hazardous) and turns off the source of ignition, effectively preventing kitchen fires before they start. This creates a safer home for the tenants and owners of flats and luxury apartments.
The Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard is a smart way to guard against kitchen fires because it responds before the formation of toxic gases and before a fire is ignited. It will even cut off the electricity supply if the hob has been left on accidentally – the setting for this can be tailored to individual installations. The cooker is reactivated simply by resetting the system once the cause of the alert has been investigated and controlled. The device is designed to work with all electric hobs.
You can find out more about the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard here and view the introduction video below:
Here at Firechief, we want you to feel safe. Our mission is to work hard every day to protect lives and property from fire by providing a range of fire safety products that can be trusted to perform when the heat is on.
The Firechief range of products set the standard for those who are seeking competitively priced, superior quality UK-approved fire safety equipment. The range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits and lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers.
For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
A total of 246 Firechief Kitchen Stove Guards have been installed in luxury apartments at One Crown Place, the latest high-rise addition to London’s skyline. Located between the City of […]
This week will see the team at Firechief supporting their local Air Ambulance Service by taking on a challenge to raise £2,000 for the charity.
From today, Wednesday 28th April to Tuesday 4th May, the team will join the Air Ambulance Superhero challenge and commit to walk, run, cycle or swim 214 miles, which is the distance of the perimeter of the 5 counties covered by the Air Ambulance Service (Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire). To mark the start of the challenge, the team attended today’s daily morning meeting dressed up as their favourite Superheroes!
The local Air Ambulance Service was chosen by the team as one of the Firechief charities to fundraise for during 2020-21. The Air Ambulance Service does not receive any government funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations and support from its communities to raise the £1,700 needed for each rescue mission. Since starting the service in 2003, they now fly two local air ambulances, serving a total of five counties: Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) & Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA).
The air ambulance team of critical care paramedics, doctors and pilots attend an average of ten rescue missions a day and within minutes, they can be on the ground delivering lifesaving care at road traffic collisions, sports events etc, accidents at home etc. This gives people the very best chance of survival and recovery. The helicopter can fly at 185mph and carries the very latest lifesaving equipment.
Firechief’s Managing Director Laurie Pollard commented: ‘Our local air ambulance service was originally chosen by the team as one of the Firechief charities for 2020. However due to the Covid 19 Pandemic we were unable to undertake our usual fundraising challenges in support of them last year but with restrictions easing a little now in Spring 2021, we decided that it was time to make it happen!
He continued: ‘Our fundraising target is £2000 to cover the cost of an air ambulance mission, so we would be grateful if our customers, suppliers as well as the friends and family of our team members would be super-heroes too and donate to help us to achieve this. We have set up a JustGiving page for donations and we will also be posting updates about our progress there too’.
See more of our Superhero costume photos on our social media channels and to check on the team’s progress against their target and to donate, please visit the JustGiving page
More information about the Air Ambulance service can be found on their website Your Local Air Ambulance Service (theairambulanceservice.org.uk)[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
This week will see the team at Firechief supporting their local Air Ambulance Service by taking on a challenge to raise £2,000 for the charity. From today, Wednesday 28th April […]
This week will see the team at Sentura supporting their local Air Ambulance Service by taking on a challenge to raise £2,000 for the charity.
From today, Wednesday 28th April to Tuesday 4th May, the team will join the Air Ambulance Superhero challenge and commit to walk, run, cycle or swim 214 miles, which is the distance of the perimeter of the 5 counties covered by the Air Ambulance Service (Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire). To mark the start of the challenge, the team attended today’s daily morning meeting dressed up as their favourite Superheroes!
The local Air Ambulance Service was chosen by the team as one of the Sentura charities to fundraise for during 2020-21. The Air Ambulance Service does not receive any government funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations and support from its communities to raise the £1,700 needed for each rescue mission. Since starting the service in 2003, they now fly two local air ambulances, serving a total of five counties: Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) & Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA).
The air ambulance team of critical care paramedics, doctors and pilots attend an average of ten rescue missions a day and within minutes, they can be on the ground delivering lifesaving care at road traffic collisions, sports events etc, accidents at home etc. This gives people the very best chance of survival and recovery. The helicopter can fly at 185mph and carries the very latest lifesaving equipment.
Sentura’s Managing Director Laurie Pollard commented: ‘Our local air ambulance service was originally chosen by the team as one of the Sentura charities for 2020. However due to the Covid 19 Pandemic we were unable to undertake our usual fundraising challenges in support of them last year but with restrictions easing a little now in Spring 2021, we decided that it was time to make it happen!
He continued: ‘Our fundraising target is £2000 to cover the cost of an air ambulance mission, so we would be grateful if our customers, suppliers as well as the friends and family of our team members would be super-heroes too and donate to help us to achieve this. We have set up a JustGiving page for donations and we will also be posting updates about our progress there too’.
See more of our Superhero costume photos on our social media channels and to check on the team’s progress against their target and to donate, please visit the JustGiving page
More information about the Air Ambulance service can be found on their website Your Local Air Ambulance Service (theairambulanceservice.org.uk)
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]This week will see the team at Sentura supporting their local Air Ambulance Service by taking on a challenge to raise £2,000 for the charity. From today, Wednesday 28th April […]
Today, 22nd April 2021 is Earth Day. Earth Day is held annually and aims to change behaviours and provoke policy changes for the protection of the environment. Its mission is to ‘diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide’.
Earth day first began in 1970 the United States. However, the main event of Earth Day 2021 will take place virtually and focus on the theme’ Restore Our Earth’ by looking at natural processes, emerging green technologies, as well as innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.
Here at Sentura, we believe it is important to celebrate Earth day each year in recognition of the harm humans are capable of causing the planet and its resources, while also celebrating the growing support across the globe for protecting the Earth and the environment.
Sentura is a responsible business which understands its environmental obligations and is committed to the recycling of materials whenever possible. The following are some of the environmentally friendly processes we have in place:
Fire Extinguisher recycling scheme: All extinguishers used in testing and returned to us at the end of their service life are recycled.
Marketing material: Out of date catalogues and marketing material remaining in stock are routinely sent for recycling at the beginning of each year. Our catalogues are also printed on paper sourced from responsible sources as certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
Paperless systems: Over the last year our accounts team have implemented a paperless system. Document printing has been minimised across the business and all non-confidential wastepaper is recycled.
Electric vehicle charging points: Installed for our staff to use to charge their electric car during working hours.
For more information on our fire extinguisher recycling scheme, please contact us on 01572 770333
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Today, 22nd April 2021 is Earth Day. Earth Day is held annually and aims to change behaviours and provoke policy changes for the protection of the environment. Its mission is […]
Today – 8th March – is International Women’s Day (IWD) and to mark the day, the ladies of the Sentura Group team held a virtual afternoon tea get together on Microsoft Teams.
IWD is a global day aimed at identifying, celebrating and increasing visibility of women's achievements to help forge equality. The theme for IWD 2021 is ‘Choose to Challenge’ to encourage more people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.
Sentura’s Managing Director, Laurie Pollard commented: ‘As an SME business, I believe Sentura is in a unique situation in that 11 out of 19 – almost 60% - of our team are women.
‘Today we are celebrating the part that each of them plays in making us a winning team and to mark that, we are gifting all our female team members with a £40 gift voucher for their choice of houseplants from Foli8 to help with wellbeing in their current home office environment'.
To learn more about International Women’s Day visit International Women's Day 2021
To see the wide range of plants for both the home and office which are available to order from Foli8 visit https://foli8.co.uk/
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Today – 8th March – is International Women’s Day (IWD) and to mark the day, the ladies of the Sentura Group team held a virtual afternoon tea get together on […]
As we all know, Lithium-Ion batteries are being used in more and more electronic devices nowadays. However, as useful as Lithium-Ion batteries are, they can quickly become unsafe and the rising problem of Lithium Ion battery fires is one that needs to be taken seriously.
Recent months have seen a spike in landfill site fires causing explosions and flames emitting -sometimes poisonous - fumes. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are responsible for around 48% of all waste fires occurring in the UK each year, costing the UK economy some £158 million annually according to new research conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting*.
The Eunomia report ‘Cutting Lithium-ion Battery Fires in the Waste Industry’, which was produced jointly with the Environmental Services Association (ESA), reveals that an estimated 201 waste fires caused by Li-ion batteries occur every year in the UK. These have damaging consequences for both the environment and society with waste fires burning for days, weeks and sometimes even months, causing harmful greenhouse gas emissions to be released into the atmosphere and water pollution due to run-off from extinguishing the fires. Dealing with these fires also means extra work and risk to firefighters, as well as disruption due to rail, retail, and road closures as a result of smoke from the fires, while waste site operators have to deal with significant material damage, business interruption and loss of recycling resources.
‘Zombie’ batteries
As well as the obvious electrical and electronic household items such as mobile phones, even items such as singing greetings cards can contain Li-Ion batteries, an issue often unknown to householders. When these 'zombie' batteries get into the residual and mixed recycling waste streams, either loose or inside waste electrical and electronic items (WEEE), they can cause fires when punctured or damaged in the compactor of a refuse collection vehicle or during normal waste processing and sorting operations.
The source of lithium-ion fires is in the make-up of the batteries – the same technology that makes them so highly efficient and powerful. Li-Ion batteries are made up of cells. When these powerful cells are punctured, they suddenly become unstable. The separator in the cells is weakened and may break, causing a short circuit and the heat of the cells to rise. As the heat increases, the separator disintegrates even further and the contents of the cells react with the oxygen let in through the damage which combined with the short-circuiting cells, can increase the temperature of the battery above 500o C triggering the same process in neighbouring cells. This is called thermal runaway, as the increasing temperature and ensuing chain reactions becomes completely out of control and finally, the entire battery is red-hot. The fires created from these batteries burn for longer than other landfill fires, and with much greater heat.
Mark Andrews, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Waste Fires Lead and Deputy Chief Fire Officer of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “NFCC very much welcomes this study and we now want to work with the industry to find ways of avoiding Li-ion batteries ending up in the household waste system to help prevent these fires and reduce the impact on local communities, the environment and reduce risk to our firefighters in dealing with these fires when they happen.”
However, at present this problem is only set to get worse, with more and more Li-ion batteries placed onto the market each year. Of the 670 fires recorded by ESA waste management members across the UK in 2019-20, 38% were either recorded as caused by Li-ion batteries or ‘suspected’ to have been. This represents a significant on the percentages recorded in the previous three years (21% in 2016-17, 25% in 2017-18 and 22% in 2018-19). 97% of respondents to the Eunomia survey said that waste fires caused by Li-ion batteries were a problem, with 55% saying they were a significant problem. Just under half of respondents stated that they had experienced at least one waste fire caused by Li-ion batteries in the past year, and 26% of respondents stated that more than half of waste fires they had suffered were caused by the batteries.
To prevent these fires, Eunomia’s report presents a number of solutions to divert household batteries and small WEEE from the residual and mixed recycling waste streams to specifically designed disposal routes as follows:
- Ban the disposal of batteries and small WEEE in residual and mixed recycling waste to prevent this practice and increase the public’s awareness of correct disposal
- Encourage separate kerbside collection of batteries and small WEEE by local authorities
- Investigate the role of a deposit return scheme (DRS) in supplementing retailer takeback for batteries and small WEEE
Respondents to the survey supported these measures, with 66% backing separate kerbside collections for lithium-ion batteries, 65% supporting a DRS and 42% backing a ban on the disposal of these batteries in general waste.
The Firechief Lith-Ex extinguisher range has been developed specifically for tackling Lithium-based battery fires, both large and small. They can also be used to protect against fires where batteries are under charge, where batteries are stored and where batteries are disposed of. These high performance extinguishers contain AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion) compound – a revolutionary fire extinguishing agent and are compact, lightweight, easy to store, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It will extinguish uncontrollable flames, quickly cool the excessive heat, and prevent re-ignition. For further information visit Lith-Ex Extinguishers - Fire Extinguishers - Fire Fighting & Safety (firedepot.co.uk)
*The research was supported by a consortium of key stakeholders, including key supporters the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the Environment Agency (EA), and WISH (the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum) and sponsored by waste management companies CWM Environmental Ltd, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd, Totus Environmental and Viridor Waste Ltd.
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As we all know, Lithium-Ion batteries are being used in more and more electronic devices nowadays. However, as useful as Lithium-Ion batteries are, they can quickly become unsafe and the […]
It is so important to educate your youngsters about the importance of Fire Safety especially in the home.
Top 5 causes of fire in the UK:
1. Cooking – should never be left unattended, ensure all appliances are turned off
2. Smoking – Smoke outside and put cigarette butt in water to ensure heat is out
3. Candles – All candles must be blown out before leaving the house or when we go to sleep.
4. Electricity – Do not charge things overnight, switch off electrical appliances at the mains
5. Matches and lighters – Kept out of reach of children
Escape Routes Plan
Thinking about a plan and practising an escape is so important, this should be practised now with your family while there is no emergency. This would ensure that if a fire was to happen in the future everyone knows what to do!
There are three key parts to escape:
1. Get out
2. Stay out
3. Call 999
Fire Prevention
Remove the risk and prevent the fire from starting. How to prevent a fire from starting in your home?
A fire has 3 elements: Fuel, Oxygen and Heat. These are basically the 3 ingredients a fire needs to start and to keep burning.
Simple steps to follow to ensure we are preventing the risk of fire:
1. Check the kitchen, make sure all kitchen appliances are turned off (other than your fridge freezer of course)
2. Put out all lit candles
3. Put out lit cigarettes properly
4. Turn off all electrical appliances at the socket
5. Keep matches and lighters high up and away from children
6. Shut those doors to prevent spread of fire.
7. Download our fire safety checklist.
8. Ensure your escape route is clear.
Detection
Early detection is done by a smoke detector alarm. One on every level, in any room where a fire can start. Majority of fires occur between 10pm and 6am, when we are all sleeping. The smoke alarm will sound and warn you that there is a problem, this is the warning needed to get out of the house.
Smoke alarms should be regularly tested (once a month) to see if they are working. This is done by pressing the test button in the middle, if there is no sound this could signify your smoke alarm needs new batteries or is faulty and therefore you need a new one.
Here at Firechief, we want you to feel safe. Our mission is to work hard every day to protect lives and property from fire by providing a range of fire safety equipment that can be trusted to perform when the heat is on. The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits and lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers.
For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
It is so important to educate your youngsters about the importance of Fire Safety especially in the home. Top 5 causes of fire in the UK: 1. Cooking – should […]