Fire Fighting Equipment and Facilities
Y
our risk assessment may identify the need for fi re fi ghting equipment such as:
• Portable fi re extinguishers • Fire blankets • Fire buckets • Hose reels • Sprinkler systems • Watermist systems • Waterspray systems • Gaseous fi xed fi re extinguishing systems • Foam systems • Powder systems • Kitchen fi re suppression systems • Facilities for use by fi re fi ghters including fi re mains, fi re fi ghting lifts and fi re fi ghters switches for high- voltage illuminated signs
The sections that follow will give more information about this equipment to help provide a basic understanding of its applications and use.
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Critical parts of UK fi re legislation are the general fi re precautions or fi re safety measures that the responsible person will need to take to comply with the law. Key measures of these general fi re precautions can,
in part, be met by the adequate provision of portable fi re extinguishers, the application of a suitable system of maintenance and effective training in their use. Portable fi re extinguishers are able to control or extinguish small fi res, preventing them from developing into big ones before Fire & Rescue Service arrive. Portable fi re extinguishers are valuable in the early stages of fi re because of their portability, immediate availability and easy use by one person.
People are not expected to deal with a large fi re, since extinguishers are essentially fi rst aid fi re fi ghting appliances of a limited capacity. But their ability to help contain the spread of fi re may be vital until the Fire & Rescue Service arrive. The capability to contain and prevent the spread
of small fi res is an essential tool in meeting general fi re precaution measures or fi re safety measures required by law. Portable fi re extinguishers can reduce the likelihood of the spread of fi re on the premises and mitigate the effects of the fi re on people, property and the environment. Fire fi ghting equipment should be simple to use, essentially, a pull-pin, point and squeeze handle operation. This makes them easy for anyone to use. However, the usefulness of portable fi re extinguishers depends on people knowing how to use them. All modern extinguishers have clear instructions on them. Where there are employees some, and preferably all, should be provided with formal training. Various types of portable fi re fi ghting equipment
are available, ranging from the simple fi re bucket with water or sand through to water-based extinguishers as well as foam, powder, CO2 extinguishers.
and wet chemical
Guidance in BS 5306-8, the code of practice for fi re extinguishing installations and equipment on premises, advises on the selection and installation of portable fi re extinguishers. Recommendations are given on the type, quantity and rating of fi re extinguishers that should be used and where they should be located such as on escape routes, stairwells, fi re exits and corridors. This will ensure that the means of escape can be safely and effectively used at all times. The type of a fi re extinguisher will be dictated by
the fi re class and this is defi ned in the table below. Fire Safety Legislation requires that fi re safety
Fire Class Description A B
C D F
Flammable solids Flammable liquids Flammable gases Flammable metals Cooking oils
Example Materials Wood, paper, cloth Petrol, solvents Propane, LPG
Magnesium, lithium Cooking oils and fats
Extinguisher Type / media Water, Foam, Powder
Foam, Powder, CO2 Powder
Class D powder Class F (e.g. wet chemical) BEST PRACTICE GUIDE TO FIRE SAFETY |17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28