Fire Extinguishers

There is no such thing as a safe fire. It's better for you to prevent fire than to fight it. Tackling fire is a job best left to professional firefighters. You should only ever tackle a fire if it's in its early stages and you're completely sure you can put it out and stay safe.

Never tackle a fire if it is starting to spread or if the room is filling with smoke. The most common cause of fire deaths is being over come by smoke or fumes.

If you cannot put out the fire or if the extinguisher runs out, get out, closing all the doors as you go.

Buy Wisely

Whatever type or make of fire extinguisher you choose, make sure it conforms to the appropriate British Standards (BS EN3 and 857863). Look for the Kitemark or the special British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE) mar

Where to Fix

Fix an extinguisher where you can reach it quickly and easily and where its suitability for a particular fire can be checked quickly. The best place is on an escape route, that is, near an outside door, or on the route from the living areas to an outside door, or close to any area where there could be a fire. It should be properly fixed to the wall at a height where it can be reached.

KEEP IT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN

Fire extinguishers should be put where they can be easily seen. Putting them inside cupboards or behind doors will only waste valuable time if a fire breaks out. Do not put them over cookers or heaters or in places of extreme heat.

Maintenance

The manufacturer's instructions will tell you what you need to do to keep your extinguisher in good working order. After an extinguisher has been used, even if only partially, it must be recharged according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The extinguisher should be properly serviced once a year. There are a number of independent schemes designed for fire extinguishers and their maintenance. There is also a Government sponsored national organisation for the promotion of quality in fire equipment and related services - British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE).

You can get details of approved products and advice from:

British Approvals for Fire Equipment
4th Floor, Neville House
55 Eden Street
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KTI IBW

TeI: 0181 541 1950

website: www.bafe.org.uk

They can also supply a list of companies approved by them to service portable fire extinguishers.