FIRE, SECURITY & SAFETY Knowing your fire extinguishers
According to the results of a recent survey, the portable fire extinguisher is playing an increasing role in putting out fires but knowing which type of extinguisher to use in the event of a fire is key, says Guy Middleton, portables product manager for Chubb Fire & Security
F
or decades, portable fire extinguishers have been a staple requirement for commercial and public sector buildings. As an essential piece
of fire safety equipment, they are reasonably intuitive to use, but choosing the wrong type of extinguisher can cause a fire to escalate rather than diminish. This is just one of the findings highlighted in the recent Fire Extinguisher Use Survey, which I was elected to head up in my role as Chair of the Fire Industry Association’s Services Council. The survey involved bringing together technicians from companies who are a member of one of the four main trade associations in the UK: the Fire Industry Association (FIA), the British Fire Consortium (BFC), the Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association (IFEDA) and the UK Fire Association (UKFA). The survey was aimed at asking businesses that had used an extinguisher on fire the same questions asked in the original 2003 survey.
The 2021 survey highlighted some significant trends that cannot be ignored.
The value of portable fire extinguishers
Guy Middleton of Chubb Fire & Security
Most notably, the number of fires being successfully extinguished by portable fire extinguishers has increased from 80% in 2003 to 93% in 2021. This figure alone demonstrates the importance of this vital piece of firefighting equipment. Yet, it would appear that individuals still need to be reminded of the value that portable fire extinguishers deliver to society.
In 2019, IFEDA was alerted to a news article advising that a Housing Association responsible for managing more than 7,000 premises in the North of England had removed fire extinguishers from communal areas in their properties. Residents were apparently told that ‘it is not considered necessary to provide firefighting equipment in the buildings and
such equipment should only be used by trained individuals.’ This however entirely contravenes existing legislation.
The legal requirements
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 recommends that all premises are provided with appropriate firefighting equipment. It says: ‘Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that the premises are equipped with appropriate firefighting equipment, and firefighting equipment is simple to use and indicated by signs. The responsible person must take measures for firefighting in the premises and nominate competent persons to implement those measures and ensure that the number of such persons, their training and the equipment available to them is adequate.’ It also states that for the majority of buildings, ‘fire aid’ firefighting equipment – typically, fire extinguishers, blankets and buckets – should be sufficient. For more complex premises, it advises that automatic fire suppression systems may be necessary. In fact, the portable extinguisher landscape has improved significantly in recent years. The standard BS 5306-8, which focuses on the installation of fire extinguishing equipment in premises, has been revised twice. One of the main improvements is ensuring the most suitable extinguisher is the nearest one to any known hazard. For example, if you’re in a kitchen and your deep fat fryer ignites, the closest extinguisher you see should be the correct one – a Wet Chemical extinguisher.
Choosing the right extinguisher
Perhaps most surprising is that in the 2021 survey just 52% of users had received training in the use of fire extinguishers, yet the correct extinguisher was used 93% of the time. Whilst the use of a portable fire extinguisher is instinctive as they are easily identifiable and operable, training is essential to help individuals choose the best and safest type to tackle each incident. Most small fires can be put out by most types of fire extinguisher, but if a fire develops, it’s important to choose the right type of extinguisher for the incident. In some cases, selecting the wrong extinguisher can intensify a fire. For instance, you should never use a Water Extinguisher on live electrical equipment as there is a risk you will electrocute yourself. Again if you squirt foam or water into deep fat, it will cause it to erupt and fire to spread. So, where training may not be essential in terms of extinguisher use, teaching people which fire extinguisher should be used based on the type of fire is crucial.
Other survey findings
Another significant discovery from the new survey was that the contents inside extinguishers have become more efficient since 2003, whilst the way we use them has become more uniform and intuitive. In some areas, there has been little change. For instance, the percentage of fires that the Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) is called to has increased slightly to 27%. In addition, respondents in both surveys agreed with the same interpretation that any extinguisher will put out a small fire and that, once a fire becomes too big, it will be difficult to tackle with any size or number of extinguishers. As a leading provider of
fire safety solutions, Chubb considers the use of portable fire extinguishers a vital and common-sense solution to tackle and extinguish small fires before they escalate. Aside from the value that portable fire extinguishers offer in saving lives, they also offer monetary savings. Based on 2003 statistics, recent estimations are that fire extinguishers save £8.6 million each year in terms of FRS resources, while also saving the UK’s economy over £840 million.
Driving change
Whilst certain types of fire are diminishing in terms of scale and numbers; the survey highlighted that other types are increasing. For instance, the incidents of B Class fires – burning liquids has reduced, greatly driven by society and increased health and safety meaning we now use fewer highly flammable sprays or cleaning fluids. Yet electrical equipment and batteries – those found in mobiles and laptops – are catching fire more. Currently, along with FIA and members of the other associations, we are writing the next revision to the BS 5306-8, which will give more guidance on extinguishing battery fires. In addition, we are looking to create a test fire protocol for batteries to
allow consumers to compare one extinguisher to another. These surveys always help our industry shape a safer future for people in all workplaces. The fire extinguisher industry does that by learning from the recent past.
18 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2022
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