The wearing of masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 continues to be a contentious issue but should firefighters and other emergency service first responders be exempt from wearing them when carrying out their duties?

The UK Government along with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone wears a mask in public settings, especially when social distancing cannot be maintained.

However, there is a very real possibility that a mask could interfere with the work of firefighters or first responders, especially when they are performing tasks that require physical exertion.

Face Masks may inhibit important communication

Face masks covering the mouth and nose may also inhibit communication by muffling sound and obstructing facial expressions. Such communication is of paramount importance for firemen working as a team in an emergency, or when they need to give clear directions to the public.

However, fire and other emergency services also face the same challenges as other businesses and institutions in seeking to remain safe in a communal workspace. Masks are a useful preventative measure for firefighters working together in a communal area or when training or resting.

Wearing masks in public also allows the emergency services to demonstrate unselfishness and respect for others to the local community.

While a face covering or mask, weather made of paper or cloth, can help to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus by reducing the dispersion of virus-laden droplets, sufficient flexibility is needed so that the use of masks does not interfere with other lifesaving duties carried out by firefighters and other emergency service responders.

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years. We have a range of PPE and Infection Control products, including Type IIR disposable face masks.  For more information, call us on 0330 999 2233 or email sales@firedepot.co.uk between 8am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

The wearing of masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 continues to be a contentious issue but should firefighters and other emergency service first responders be exempt from wearing them […]

According to research from insurance company, Zurich Municipal, schools in England are “nearly twice as likely” to suffer from a fire as other types of commercial buildings*.

The insurer believes that this is due to a number of reasons:

These issues have resulted in nearly 2,000 school blazes in the last three years, and follow recent calls for sprinklers to be made mandatory in schools in England. Larger fires in schools cost on average £2.8 million to repair and in some cases over £20 million.

The findings have led Zurich to launch a parliamentary petition to urge MPs to change the law on sprinklers in schools. Whilst sprinklers are compulsory in all new or major refurbished school buildings in Scotland and Wales, this is not the case in England. In fact, they are fitted in fewer than one in six new schools, believes Zurich.

Tilden Watson, Zurich Municipal’s Head of Education, said: “An alarming number of school buildings pose a high fire risk – yet many are poorly protected against a potential blaze. Unless Ministers bring England into line with other parts of the UK, where sprinklers are mandatory, large fires will continue to blight schools. This is harming children’s education and putting lives at risk.

“As well as protecting pupils, sprinklers drastically reduce the extent of damage when there is a blaze, often confining the fire to a single room. This gets children back into schools and classrooms quicker as well as saving taxpayers’ money.”

Nick Coombe, Protection Vice Chair and Building Safety Programme Lead for the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “The case for sprinklers is compelling. Of almost 1,000 fires over five years in buildings where sprinklers were fitted, our research found they controlled or extinguished blazes in 99% of cases. We want to see a greater inclusion of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS), including sprinklers, across the built environment.  Sprinklers can dramatically reduce fire damage, making the reopening of a school much easier. This not only minimises the disruption to a pupil’s education, but also the impact on their family, the community and the wider education establishment.”

Zurich wants the government to ring-fence some of its £1bn promised investment to improve the resilience of schools at high risk of fire. Insurers work closely with schools to help them manage their fire risks but the installation of sprinklers minimise the dangers from the outset.

You can sign the petition from Zurich Municipal, here.

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.  For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com. Also, take a look at our range of fire safety products to help you keep school buildings safe.

*Data was taken from 26,800 schools in England, with the analysis showing that the average fire risk is almost doubled than that of most other non-residential buildings.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

According to research from insurance company, Zurich Municipal, schools in England are “nearly twice as likely” to suffer from a fire as other types of commercial buildings*. The insurer believes […]

As part of this year’s Fire Door Safety Week (21- 27 September), the organisers have shared research into the state of fire door maintenance, inspection and replacement programmes across local authority owned and managed housing in the UK.

Launched in 2013 in response to a legacy of fire door neglect, Fire Door Safety Week is a ‘mass market’ awareness campaign to increase public understanding of the vital role that fire doors play in protecting life and property. The campaign is managed by the British Woodworking Federation and is supported by a number of partners, including the Home Office’s National Fire Safety campaign, the National Fire Chief’s Council and London Fire Brigade.

Over half (52%) of UK local authorities responding to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reported delays to planned fire door maintenance and replacement in the first half of 2020. The number rises to 60% when inspection delays are also factored in.

According to the data obtained from 147 local authorities that own and manage their own housing stock, at least 26,318 fire doors were scheduled for maintenance or replacement between January and June 2020, but 16,580 did not progress – meaning 63% of individual planned works were delayed until at least the second half of the year, affecting a minimum of 9,954 individual properties.

In addition to delays to maintenance and replacement in the first half of the year, 31% of all responding local authorities stated their fire door inspection programmes were delayed, affecting at least 12,596 fire doors.

Not all responding local authorities provided reasons for delay, but over half (53%) of those experiencing delays cited COVID-19-related restrictions, including limited property access and availability of contractors due to social distancing guidelines.However, several local authorities did mention that emergency repair works to fire doorshad continued throughout the lockdown period to maintain the safety of residents.

Of those local authorities that experienced delays, 65% intend to commence works by the end of the year.

The Fire Door Safety Week organisers commented: ‘Understandably COVID-19 has impacted on service delivery across a variety of sectors, but fires don’t stop. With the UK lockdown period forcing many people to spend more time at home, people without fit for purpose fire doors have been put at risk. There is a need for continued and urgent focus on ensuring the safety of all building occupants whether in local authority or privately-rented accommodation, workplaces, or other building types.

‘Whilst we have focused upon local authority owned and managed housing stock, we strongly suspect that our insight reflects the wider market. We hope that through this years’ Fire Door Safety Week, we can draw attention to these important issues and encourage all with responsibility for fire doors to take urgent action across fire door maintenance, inspection and replacement’.

Approximately 3 million new fire doors are bought and installed every year in the UK, the vast majority made from timber. Fire doors are often the first line of defence in a fire and their correct specification, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and death for building occupants. However, they remain a significant area of neglect, often the first thing to be downgraded on a specification and mismanaged throughout their service life, propped open, damaged, and badly maintained. If a damaged door goes unidentified it cannot perform its life-saving role, therefore regular inspections carried out by trained and competent professionals are key.

Life is precious and property and assets matter. For help and advice on all fire protection and safety products, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.uk or visit www.firedepot.co.uk to see our range of fire safety products.

 

 

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As part of this year’s Fire Door Safety Week (21- 27 September), the organisers have shared research into the state of fire door maintenance, inspection and replacement programmes across local […]

Businesses across the UK which have had to make changes due to COVID-19 are being advised to make sure fire safety remains a top priority.

The reminder comes from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) at the start of Business Safety Week (7 – 13 September) as many businesses have had to implement new ways of working.

The everyday fire risks in the workplace still exist and the responsibility to ensure premises are safe from fire, remains. Many businesses have had to respond quickly once they were allowed to reopen and the concern is that fire safety may not have been at the forefront of planning. As part of the NFCC's Business Safety Week business owners and Responsible Persons (RPs) are being advised to ensure they review Fire Risk Assessments.

Fire Risk Assessments must be reviewed regularly to ensure they are suitable and sufficient and in the same way that they need to be reviewed as a business re-opens, should future changes be made as businesses move back to pre-lock down practices, those FRAs will again need to be reviewed.

The NFFC says businesses should also seek guidance and advice to help them keep their premises and occupants safe from fire. Businesses must consider the potential risks that the COVID secure measures - which have been required to open some premises - may in some cases, compromise fire safety measures, for example:

Mark Andrews of the NFCC said: " It's been a difficult and challenging time for so many people, and Fire and Rescue Services want to make sure that as businesses address changes needed in response to Covid-19, they remain fire safe. Fire can have a devastating impact on business with many never recovering after an incident. We are here to support businesses if they need advice and guidance so we ask them to review Fire Risk Assessments and help us to keep your business working safety."

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years. We are open for business and here to support you in getting your business and your customers back to work safely. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any product or fire safety application. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.uk or visit www.firedepot.co.uk to see our full range of fire safety products.

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Businesses across the UK which have had to make changes due to COVID-19 are being advised to make sure fire safety remains a top priority. The reminder comes from the […]

Sadly, fires on boats have killed 30 people over the last 20 years but there is plenty of useful fire safety and prevention advice available for sailors and boaters, particularly regarding the fitting and use of smoke alarms.

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has published a Fact File ‘Smoke Alarms for Boats’  with information on how smoke alarms should be used in boats. The information is suitable for boats up to 24 metres used for leisure, hire or residential purposes. Specific fire risks in boats include the carriage of fuel, flammable gases in heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct inlets and the spillage or release of hazardous substances. Fires may also result from unattended cooking; the overheating of electronic and electrical appliances; faulty electrical wiring; smoking, matches and lighters and flammable liquids and aerosols.

The BSS (Boat Safety Scheme) leaflet ‘Fire Safety on Boats’ also provides good advice on how to prevent fire hazards on board. It recommends fitting Optical sensor smoke alarms with hush buttons and ‘sealed for life’ batteries as these photoelectric alarms are less likely to go off accidentally, and so are best for confined environments such as a boat.  They are also much less prone to false alarms from cooking fumes,  plus the hush button allows rapid silencing should a nuisance alarm occur.

How many smoke alarms should you fit?

The more suitable and routinely tested smoke alarms you have installed on your boat, the more confident you can be about the early detection of a developing fire and hearing an alarm should this happen. If you have more than one alarm, it is worth considering either wired or wireless RF interconnecting alarms such as the Firechief Cavius RF 5 Year Battery Optical Smoke Alarm.

No areas of the boat which need to be protected should be further than 5m from an alarm. In the case of large vessels, such as some narrowboats, the dimensions of the vessel may mean slower reaction time for a single alarm and so you may need to install multiple units for maximum protection.

 Where to fit smoke alarms?

The ideal place is along the centreline of the boat in the same cabin space where a heater or cooker is in use, but not too close to any appliance. The smoke alarm should also be mounted on a well-insulated part of the ceiling to avoid cold spots.  Try to avoid putting it any closer than 300mm to any vertical surface but if headroom is a problem and you really have no choice, mount it on a wall between 150mm - 300mm below the ceiling height, but not directly above a ventilator or opening window.

Make sure smoke alarms are easy to reach so you can test them routinely and can press the hush button with ease. Always put them where you will be able to hear them, particularly when you are asleep or when doors are closed.  A good tip is to try testing the smoke alarm in place before you actually fix it in position.

Smoke alarms should be installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions as far as is practical but, in any case, should not be fixed in the following places:

 The importance of testing

Smoke alarms should be tested regularly -  at least once a month or in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, while the boat is in use and, also after periods when the boat has not been used.

However, you should expect to replace either the alarm or its battery sooner than the manufacturers recommended lifespan since when it is sited on a boat, the damp atmosphere in the cabin may affect it.

Boats present a challenging environment for smoke alarms particularly with high humidity, temperature extremes, the potential for jolts and the regular vibration from some boat engines, so to give you the most confidence in its reliability, choose an alarm which complies with BS EN 14604:2005 and check for a British Standard ‘Kitemark’; an LPCB ‘Horseshoe’ mark or the square VdS symbol as this means it has been certified by an independent third-party test laboratory.

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 includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and fire alarms. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.

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Sadly, fires on boats have killed 30 people over the last 20 years but there is plenty of useful fire safety and prevention advice available for sailors and boaters, particularly […]

A survey conducted by the Fire Industry Association (FIA) has found signs that the uncertainty that was present in the industry throughout the lockdown period is now dissipating.

And as 75% of respondents say they are finding it easier than before to access their customer’s premises, it provides a more positive outlook for the months to come for the fire industry.

The FIA was asked by the Government to consult with its members about how the industry has been affected and how it can assist in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19.

9% of respondents said they had had all of their bookings postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, but this number could have been significantly higher if fire safety professionals had not been classified as key workers. Through close collaboration with its members the FIA recognised that this could prove a problem with the strict rules that were imposed at the start of lockdown.  As a result of voicing the concerns of the fire industry to the government, James Brokenshire MP, Minister of State for Security confirmed that all individuals in the fire sector actively working to improve public fire safety had been identified as key workers and were able to undertake their duties https://www.firedepot.co.uk/servicing-maintaining-fire-safety-equipment-covid19-lockdown/

With over 72% of respondents saying that they require access to customer premises, the survey also asked how the backlog of visits that COVID-19 might have caused could be addressed. Across the board, all organisations said that the biggest challenge was keeping social distancing at all times but  beyond altering workplace practices to adhere to social distancing guidelines, there was a mixed response on how organisations intend to deal with the backlog.

Many said they planned on addressing the backlog by prioritising overdue visits, whilst providing overtime and other incentives to help get through the backlog before the end of December 2020.  Others suggested that they would extend the working hours of the day and even consider working on weekends if required.   Some said that if the demand was there, they would hire more engineers as opposed to using sub-contractors.

A number of respondents said they had ‘maintained a sustainable level of visits throughout the lock down’ and as such they did not envisage a large backlog.

You can view the full survey here

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years. We are open for business and here to support you in getting your business and your customers back to work safely. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any product or fire safety application. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.uk or visit www.firedepot.co.uk to see our full range of fire safety products.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

A survey conducted by the Fire Industry Association (FIA) has found signs that the uncertainty that was present in the industry throughout the lockdown period is now dissipating. And as […]

As good as it is to see football and cricket and other sports returning to television, allowing spectators back into sports grounds and stadiums will be a major step forward in getting life ‘back to normal’. But the social distancing measures that need to be put in place for this to happen, will also significantly impact on the fire safety procedures of the venues.

The urgency to get spectators back into sports venues is all too real. According to recent projections, the pre-coronavirus annual revenue generated by the global sports industry has practically halved, falling from £106bn to £57bn and it’s predicted that should the impacts of the coronavirus shutdown continue, Premier League clubs will suffer a £1billion loss.

So how might social distancing measures impact on fire risk assessments and procedures?

Alan Meyrick, Security Consultant, SGW Safety & Security Ltd, has considered some of the difficulties sports venues are likely to encounter.  For example, “how are staff assembly points, or assembly points in general, going to change in terms of location, spatial consideration and management? Will venue operators have to allocate a larger area, and do they have the spatial requirements to ensure social distancing is maintained and apply the correct hygiene measures whilst people assemble’?

Clear, unambiguous communication at critical times is key to safe crowd management, particularly wayfinding and signage supported by public address systems and fully trained stewarding.  Additional fire safety measures could include a fire marshal stationed next to a fire door that needs to remain open to allow one-way circulation around the venue but would have to be closed in the event of a fire.  In the event of an emergency, standard operational procedures for emergency egress should be followed and may take precedence over social distancing requirements.

Alan Meyrick concludes by sounding a note of caution. “I would envisage venue operators will have to conduct revised Fire Evacuation Plan drills and exercises in line with best practice regarding Covid-19 measures ahead of stadiums being open, albeit in a restricted manner, to the public in October.

“Fundamentally, it is assumed that stadia operators would take the preservation of life as a priority, perhaps to the detriment and breach of social distancing and COVID-19 measures in the event of an emergency evacuation, which could expose the venue operator to challenges around their policies and practices at a later date, particularly in the event of a COVID outbreak originating at their venue.”

“As government public safety guidance develops to anticipate the easing of safety measures for lockdown in many sectors (retail, hospitality, sport, etc.), this official guidance must be read together with the existing comprehensive guidelines that are defined by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, the RRO”.

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.  For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com. Also, take a look at our range of fire safety products to help you keep your venue safe.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

As good as it is to see football and cricket and other sports returning to television, allowing spectators back into sports grounds and stadiums will be a major step forward […]

According to the latest statistics, one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide you with the best chance of escaping a fire in the home.

Most people know that working smoke alarms save lives. They provide the vital early warning that allows for a safe escape. However, despite the 91 percent of homes having at least one working smoke alarm, smoke alarms only alerted householders to just one in every three fires in the home in England.

The most common reason a smoke alarm failed to activate was that the fire was outside its range. The Fire Kills campaign and the National Fire Chief’s Council are encouraging people to have a think about the smoke alarms in their home and make sure that not only are there enough smoke alarms but also that they are in the right places as if your whole home isn’t covered, you could be leaving it to chance and, in a fire, you might not get the early warning that you need.

You should make sure you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home, preferably in hallways and landings. Plus placing smoke alarms near to sleeping areas and in rooms where there are electrical appliances could give you the extra warning you need.

It’s also important to remember that smoke alarms don’t last forever. The power might work, but the detection mechanism deteriorates with time. So, whether the alarms are battery operated or wired to the mains, to work at their best they should be replaced every ten years.

The Fire and Rescue Service recommend these smoke alarm top tips:

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 includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and fire alarms. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.

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According to the latest statistics, one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide you with the best chance of escaping a fire in the home. Most people know that […]

COVID-19 has created challenges for many across the world over the last few months.   However, on a positive note it could also provide businesses with the opportunity to reassess and even improve fire safety at their premises.

The pandemic has meant organisations have had to adapt the way in which they work, most obviously the reduction of both the amount of time being spent at and number of people on the premises at any one time. But as restrictions ease and more companies welcome their colleagues back into the office, if significant health and safety changes have been made to the premises, such as re-configuring the office to accommodate social distancing for instance, these should be identified and recorded in the Fire Risk Assessment.

Other things to consider are:

1. Risk reduction: Have all reasonable measures been taken to reduce the risk of fire, such as isolating all non-essential equipment and machinery.

2. New or emerging risks: Have things been put in place as a response to the situation that have in fact increased fire risk, such as the storage of oxygen for example.Updated escape routes and/or Assembly points:  Providing safe escape routes out of the building and ensuring that they are as easy to navigate as possible is one of the most important ways to keep everyone in the building safe and secure.

3. Fire alarm systems: Is the fire alarm system in good working order and has it continued to be tested regularly?

Of course, all the standard legal fire safety requirements are still in place, which means that your customers are still obligated to deal with the normal safety protocols and procedures, such as having fire extinguishers and alarms serviced and checked – particularly if they deferred these things during the lockdown period. If maintenance by a qualified engineer was delayed, this should have been recorded as a significant finding in the Fire Risk Assessment.

4. Vulnerable people: Are the most vulnerable receiving support and are Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPS) being conducted and reviewed to assess individual needs/changes in their vulnerability?

5. Fire Doors. In some buildings some self-closing fire doors may now be wedged open as a Covid-19 control measure, to reduce the need to touch door handles etc.  Whilst understandable, this hazard must be balanced against the risk of uncontrolled spread of fire and smoke should a fire occur. This therefore must be fully considered in the fire risk assessment.  A better solution may be a Firechief Doorwarden, a wireless fire door stop which legally holds open a fire door until the fire alarm sounds.

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years. We are open for business and here to support you in getting your customers back to work safely. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any product or fire safety application. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.uk or visit www.firedepot.co.uk to see our full range of fire safety products.

 

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COVID-19 has created challenges for many across the world over the last few months.   However, on a positive note it could also provide businesses with the opportunity to reassess and […]

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.

It is important to know what type of Extinguisher will put out which type of fire. Fires are identified using a classification system, meaning they are separated into different classes depending on the fuel of the fire involved.  This makes it easier to know which fire extinguishers will be needed.

The types of fire extinguishers needed in any premises will depend on the nature of the risks and the types of fire that are likely to occur.

Fire Classes

 

Class A Fires

Class A fires involve carbon-based materials such as wood, paper, or textiles

 

Class B Fires

Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, oils etc.

 

Class C Fires

Class C fires are fires involving gases

 

Class D Fires

Class D fires involve flammable metals

 

Class F Fires

Class F fires involve cooking oils and fats

 

Electrical Fires

Electrical fires are fires involving electrical equipment

 

There are six main types of fire extinguishers, these are:

 

Water Fire Extinguishers

Foam Fire Extinguishers

Dry Powder (ABC rated) Fire Extinguishers

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguishers

Water Mist Fire Extinguisher

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers

 

See the Quick Reference Chart below to easily choose the correct Fire Extinguisher:

Fire Extinguisher Comparison Table

It is recommended that you should keep a fire extinguisher in each floor of the building, keeping at least one fire extinguisher in a central location on each floor of your home so you have it available in case of an emergency. This could be in the garage, laundry room, bedrooms, patio, and other areas you think would be useful. On business premises, the number and type of extinguishers will be determined by the person carrying out the Fire Risk Assessment.

Points to note before tackling a fire:

  1. Do not attempt to use an extinguisher on a fire unless you feel it is safe for you to do so
  2. Position the extinguisher where you can get to it quickly, e.g. the hall
  3. Buy extinguishers that you can easily carry
  4. Do not 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
  5. Read the instructions and be familiar with how to use your extinguishers. Do not leave it until you have a fire
  6. If you require the extinguishers for a business (including letting premises) you must have them serviced once a year
  7. If you are using a fire extinguisher to fight a fire, keep yourself on the escape route side of the fire

 

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 includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and fire alarms.

 

For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.[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 […]

Firefighters have attended more than 600 balcony fires in London in the last three years, including one at a block of flats in Deptford in May which was caused by a barbecue being disposed of in a plastic bag. Dozens of residents were evacuated from the building and a number of people were permanently displaced.

London Fire Brigade’s Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills wrote to the online retailer Amazon and other companies that stock or manufacture these barbeque products in June, stating that they are a serious concern with regards to public safety.

As a result, Amazon has removed a number of barbecues specifically designed for use on balconies from sale and contacted customers who had purchased them offering a full refund if they return or dispose of them. Deputy Commissioner Mills is now urgently asking any consumers who have purchased such a barbecue not to ignore the safety warning and to take the risks which have been highlighted seriously.

Balcony safety tips to keep users and their neighbours safe:

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 includes high performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and Firechief CAVIUS Alarms.

For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

Firefighters have attended more than 600 balcony fires in London in the last three years, including one at a block of flats in Deptford in May which was caused by […]

The Medichief handy ‘grab and go’ Workplace Sanitising Kit which is ideal for all types of contractors working on site, is now featured in a new video!

The kit comes in a tough plastic bucket with a tamper-proof, resealable lid and contains everything needed to ensure compliance for employee/worker safety and keep work areas and equipment sanitised and safe while working on a customers’ premises.

The kit can be personalised by the individual user as it includes a space to add names and it contains the following:

Watch the video now to find out more.

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years. We have a range of PPE and Infection Control products and are here to help support your business in getting back to work.  For more information, call us on 0330 999 2233 or email sales@firedepot.co.uk between 8am and 5pm from Monday to Friday. 

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The Medichief handy ‘grab and go’ Workplace Sanitising Kit which is ideal for all types of contractors working on site, is now featured in a new video! The kit comes in […]