Fire Extinguishers

Hi Our service engineer from [omitted] turns up every year to service our extinguishers and whilst his price list states £5 per extinguisher the actual price is much higher by the time he has added the costs for some o rings, washers and other 'things'. Does he really need to change these items? Must be pretty poor quality if it needs replacing every year!!! Or is he just making extra money? Paul

Hi, I am getting confusing information regarding the mtce/Servicing/Discharging of extinguishers. What are the min legal requirements for Visually Inspecting, Basic annual service and should all extinguishers be discharged every 5 years or is tha an option? Any help Thanks A o'c

Hi there, Im currently a final year student from Loughborough University studying 'Product Design and Technology'. For my final year design practice module I am looking to design an innovative lightweight household fire extinguisher and would be hugely grateful of your opinions. I would love to know your opinions on the idea of a 'stylish' hand-held lightweight C02 based fire extinguisher for household use within the kitchen. In addition are there any problems with current models of extinguishers anybody has encountered at all? (price, usability, size, weight, etc.) Thank you very much for your time. Im very grateful for each and every response. Regards, Chris Sa…

I had a chance to test the 1L Water Mist fire extinguisher at the fire academy last week. The fire was a 'test rig' using gas to emulate a fire in a BBQ or a large waste bin. As we could not use real solid or liquid fuels at this location, it was effectively a class C fire. The unit performed perfectly, putting the fire out almost instantly 3 times in a row before almost running out of water. I see this unit as a very capable addition to the typical 2 kg dry power extinguishers sold at hardware stores. It is harmless to electronics, does not produce any waste that needs cleaning and the distilled water is not an irritant to your airway and eyes. Finally it fit…

Hi what qualification do you need test portable fire extinguishers

We are a local tennis club currently in the middle of constructing a new clubhouse. We do not know which type of extinguishers would be best. Risks are: there is a kitchen area (burning oil ?), potential of a 'wastepaper bin fire', gas for the central heating boiler and a low possibility of an electrical fire. Any advice gratefully received.

Hi Thought I mention a quote I had today from Chubb for a new 3lt water with additive! FX HY3 3L HYDROSPRAY EXTINGUISHER 1 Additional Quote GBP 189.00 EXTN INITIAL SERVICE FEE (REGIONAL) 1 Additional Quote GBP 1.70 FIXING TO WALL 1 Additional Quote GBP 14.40 ID SIGN WATER (D Size) 1 Additional Quote GBP 7.80 Grand Total - - - - GBP 212.90 Ouch!!

Do you have any car mounts for the 3L or 6L WM units ? - I carry a 2Kg. dry powder unit in my car, but have come across several minor fires where Water Mist would be more appropriate. Regards Michael

Could you please tell me the regulations regarding fire extinguishers in a Local Authority Children's residential home. Is it acceptable that they are behind locked doors that only staff can access?

Hi, I recently received my order for 4 fire extinguishers, 1 x 1L Water Mist and 3 Water Spray (1 x 6L + 2x 3L), replacing Dry Powder units in my house. Delivery was fast and quality appear to be excellent, so thanks for that. Now a few questions. I have set aside one of the 3L units as a test and training unit for my family, especially the kids. The spray pattern appear to be very close to water mist, certainly very different from the old 'jet' style nozzles you see on traditional units like an Amerex 240. How big is the difference in drop size between a Water Mist unit and a Water Spray unit ? From watching videos of Water Mist units they appear close, perha…

I would be interested in a bit of feedback: If you have a business with water, foam and powder extinguishers installed in your premises - how often does your service engineer completely replace the units? Every five years? Every ten years? Only when the cylinders are rusty etc? Does it matter to the engineer if the extinguishers are powder or foam/water? Do you get service exchange units installed or new? Thanks for your time Harry

will like to know how many fire extinguisher I need for a hairdressing salon and witch type the floor area is approximate 40 square meter, Thank you Regards

hi, I am about to refresh training for all our fire marshals. I sat the Nebosh certificate last year and it was suggested that we dont training staff in the use of fire extinguishers any more, due to possible wrong selection of appliance etc. where as the main objective is to aid the safe escape of staff members. cam you confirm? Darren

I was looking around at fire blankets to distribute to stewards at candlelit carol services at a church. My intention was that they would be available so that stewards could wrap a blanket around someone if they managed to knock over candles and set their clothing on fire. I was considering this because our insurers have specifically recommended that fire blankets be kept at candlelit services for this purpose. However, I've noticed the following warning printed on the packaging of the 1m X 1m fire blankets that I've seen: "WARNING! This fire blanket is not an adequate size for adult clothing fires." I called the fire service in my area for advice and they confi…

In the military, we were trained to take an extinguisher (if on emergency exit route) with us in case a fire is en-route. Is this still the advice or should extinguishers be left in the building ?

Please advise me which fire extinguisher you would advise to have next to a store of Lithium batteries. Please be more specific than just saying a Class D as when I put that into a supplier's catalogue I get lots of results.

We have a small industrial unit,950 square feet. We have a number of freezers and we store a small amount of cardboard. What extinguishers do we need?

My name is Joan Ferrús. I’m a journalist and I work in a cultural quiz show for Antena 3, one of Spain’s largest televisions, in Barcelona called ¡Ahora Caigo! (in the USA it is known as “Who’s Still Standing?”). My work consists in writing the questions and checking if they are correct and well formulated, in order to be as precise as possible and make sure we don’t spread wrong information to our contestants and our audience. Sometimes, to do this work, I need to contact to some experts, such as you, in this case. I am now verifying a question: What was the profession of the inventor of the modern fire extinguisher? SOLDIER. But, we can really say that Captain Willi…

Please could you let me know why foam extinguishers are less effective than AFFF ones. What are the differences in the contents? Many thanks. NB. I work for the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, we have to carry AFFF on our passenger trip boats.

I've just used an old fire blanket to extinguish my barbeque (gave it up as a bad job, as it starts raining). Should I throw the blanket away or can it be used again?

We own a modern build (2006) semi detached house. It has ground floor living accommodation and a single staircase to the upper floor where there are three bedrooms. The house is gas centrally heated. There is a hardwired fire alarm with battery backup on each floor. Both ground floor access doors lead to the outside. Every room has windows that lead to the outside. We intend to let the house for short term holiday accommodation. We are confused and concerned about the provision of Fire Extinguishers for short term tenants as they are unlikely to be trained in their use. Is there a legal obligation to provide them ?

Hi Do cartridge operated extinguishers have to be opened up every year? Or only at the extended service? Fran

Hi, my powder extinguisher was made in 2004. I am going to France for holiday and I need it for the car. Is it still ok? Should I go for example to the fire station to ask if it is still ok? Would the be able to "service" it?

Hi I have come across companies offering pre-commissioned extinguishers already with maintenance label when shipped. Is this allowed? Or do I have to get them commissioned on site by an engineer? We have a small restaurant in Lincoln Red

Hello, I have just set up a jewellery making workshop where learning takes place, using LPG. I am looking for advice on which types of fire extinguishers are required. With thanks, Nina