Harry

Hi Robert There are several issues with the engineer's information. Yes, extinguishers with POPs such as AFFF fire extinguishers will eventually be replaced or re-filled with fluoride-free alternatives. The exact time and rules are still being clarified. There is currently still a few years to go before these extinguishers have to be addressed, though. There is certainly no point changing/refilling any foam extinguishers early, as the chemicals have already been manufactured and the extinguishers should be used until their usefulness expires. It is very important at that point, though, to have the extinguishers properly recycled. The foam must not be allowed to be disposed off into toilets, gardens, surface drains etc! 'Water-with-Additives', such as Hydrospray, can also contain AFFF, albeit at a lower concentration, and are therefore not necessarily a good replacement. Should your existing foam or water-with-additives extinguishers come to the end of their life it definitely makes good sense to replace them with fluoride-free alternatives. Ordinary water, de-ionised water mist and some eco foam extinguishers are available. Harry

Hi Meady here an overview of the BS5839-6 standard and the grades. D1/D2 can be interconnected with RF but power-supply has to be by mains power. Deviation from the mains power supply requirement would have to come from the specifier. BS5839-6 is a standard, not the law, so if it can be justified, deviations are allowed when specifying the grades for a property. Harry

Hi Manu Traditionally, in the UK, fire fighting points are split into two: one extinguisher for electrical applications (traditionally CO2, since powder has for the last few years been avoided indoors) and a water-based extinguisher for A-rated fire risks. Water-based extinguishers traditionally include water, water-with-additives and foams, especially AFFF foams. Strangely, there has always been a strong emphasis on the B-rating of foams, even though in 99,9% of offices, schools etc no B type risks are present (flammable liquids). This sadly resulted in a large amount of AFFF foam chemicals (strong on B type fires) being brought into circulation without benefit to the customer, which now have to be recycled very carefully. Since the event of de-ionised water mist extinguishers a few years ago and the introduction of other electrically-safe water-based extinguishers the field has changed. It is now possible to have fire points with just one di-electrically tested extinguisher in most office and public environments. Minimum numbers of extinguishers overall, of course, still apply. This trend is aided by the need to replace AFFF foam extinguishers with a more environmentally-friendly chemical in the next few months and years. Harry

Hi The KF20 is the formal replacement model. It does require, however, for the base plate to be swapped and the connector block to be exchanged. Harry

Hi Natalie, depending on the sort of alarm this could go on for a very long time. Please see here for instructions of how to replace the Ei144 battery https://www.safelincs.co.uk/videos/37/ei144-heat-alarm-battery-replacement/ or to remove the alarm https://www.safelincs.co.uk/videos/12/remove-an-ei144-heat-alarm/ Harry

Hi Manu These days I would recommend water mist extinguishers with de-ionised water for the restaurant, bar area etc. They replace water, foam and CO2 extinguishers and are suitable for live electrical equipment up to 1000 Volt. If you have deep fat fryers in the kitchen a wet chemical extinguisher is still the best solution. Harry

Hi, can you please send a photo of the alarm so we can help? Thanks

Hi There is a help video about how to remove the Firex/Kidde alarms which should apply Harry

Hi Natalie, what is the replacement date on the unit, please? Kidde CO alarms last for ten years, usually. Harry

Hi PaulRob, you could consider Britannia P50 service-free extinguishers which only get re-filled every ten years, which would halve your powder waste. Instead of annually calling in an external engineer your own employees would carry out an annual visual inspection, which is recorded on the back of the extinguisher. The visual inspection involves checking the dual gauge display and in your case nothing else, as there is no risk of vandalism in your company. We would be happy to give you a demonstration and visit one of your sites with you to talk through the P50. More information about the P50 extinguishers. Harry, Safelincs Ltd

Hi Hayfever The launch of a Britannia P50 with de-ionised water mist is getting closer. These extinguishers should be ready by the end of the year. They will combine two important technologies: Service-free extinguishers with de-ionised water mist. Watch this space! Harry

Hi Manu CO2 extinguishers are really only suitable for electrical items and the risk is that the fire might re-ignite once the short burst of CO2 has dissipated. This is particularly the case if the electricity is still live. The main health risk is actually, and surprisingly, not asphyxiation (absence of O2) but poisoning with CO2. Just 4% CO2 in your air has already a health impact and 8% leads to unconsciousness and death. Not many fire safety specialists are aware of this. So, CO2 must be avoided in small spaces. For electrical risks up to 1000V (domestic is 230V) water mist extinguishers with de-ionised water are the best choice for domestic (and business) applications. They are broad spectrum, cool the fire and minimise the residue from the fire and the fire fighting action. The de-ionised water is of course non-conductive. Harry

Hi Rich, good questions, thanks While the P50 wet chemical has not been tested and rated for Class A fires, like most other wet chemicals the extinguisher has a good capacity to extinguish Class A fires such as a waste bin fires. Wet chemical extinguishers contain around 60 to 70% water which gives them a decent Class A capability, although their focus is, of course, fats and oils. BS 5306-8:2012 9.2 Note 1 specifically states that Class F extinguishers can be suitable for other fire classes. EN3-7 requires all Class F fire extinguishers to be di-electrcially tested to 35,000 Volt. The P50 wet chemical is therefore, of course, also fully di-electrically tested and can be safely used on live electrical equipment up to 1000 Volt. A safety distance of a meter needs to be maintained. No other extinguisher types should be kept near deep fat fryers, as only wet chemicals are safe on deep fats and oils. Harry

Hi Hayfever Thank you for sharing your experiences. Assuming that there is no application with more than 1,000 Volt and no special risks present (eg deep fat fryers, which require wet chemicals) the message should be 'use P50 extinguisher provided on all risks but do not get closer than 1m' , as the P50 foams are tested for electrical safety with 35,000 Volt at 1m distance (the difference between 35,000 and 1,000 Volt being the safety margin!). If you offer CO2 on top of P50 (or in fact any) foam, there is a risk that the users are not sure which extinguisher to use on which type of fire. Not knowing what type of estate you are representing makes is difficult to narrow the reference list down, however, P50s have now been installed for over 8 years and are installed at universities, supermarket chains, refineries, large farm groups, warehouses, insurance offices, schools, all Scottish Courts and many other type of businesses and Housing projects. If you want to contact me directly I am happy to put you in contact with customers that are relevant to you. With larger estates we have in the past offered a gradual change over: One site is converted completely to P50 and any in-date traditional extinguishers are taken out and stored and then moved to other sites of your estate (still with traditional extinguishers) that require replacements. That way you have fully converted sites without a confusing multitude of extinguishers while you are not destroying the residual value in your traditional extinguisher stock. Harry

Hi Luke The British Standards are suggesting a minimum of 2 extinguishers, however, BS standards are just recommendations. You have to use a dose of common sense and such a small space would be well covered with the suggested foam extinguisher. That is if you are a standard shop or office. If you store flammable liquid etc you would need professional advice. An extinguisher needs to be big enough to extinguish a small fire reliably, so the P50 foam in the 6ltr version should be suitable. Harry

Hi, clearly you have either carbon monoxide or other gases in the vicinity that trigger the CO alarm. The first step has to be to search for a source of carbon monoxide. Do you have gas/oil/solid fuel appliances? Do your neighbours have such appliances? If this is not the case you need to check whether you have acid-lead battery chargers nearby or whether there is fresh floor screed. Both create gases that can trigger CO alarms. Most likely the CO alarms are doing their job and warning you of this dangerous gas. You need to leave the building and get a specialist to fix the issue. Further information about CO dangers can be found on https://www.safelincs.co.uk/carbon-monoxide-information/ Harry

Hi Meady Certainly a good question to start a lively discussion with! Safelincs is, as you are probably aware, a strong supporter of the P50 service-free extinguishers (despite Safelincs also offering nationwide extinguisher servicing for traditional extinguishers). We were amongst the early adopters when these were launched in 2012. We see them as a way for customers to reduce maintenance costs and for the environmental impact of extinguisher provision to be reduced: The P50's chemicals only need replacing after ten years instead of the normal 5 years and there is no maintenance traffic clogging up our highways. Here a quick overview for newcomers: The P50 is a kitemarked portable stored-pressure extinguisher manufactured in the UK and is made from various non-corroding components, such as an inner plastic pressure cylinder encased in spun aramid fibre (similar to Kevlar). It does not corrode, the lining cannot become detached and start attacking the extinguisher's chemicals and the cylinder can be heavily deformed without losing pressure. It also features duplicate magnetic pressure gauges. Because of these features the traditional servicing activities (check for pressure loss with a gauge pump, check for dints, internal and external corrosion, dropped inner linings etc) are not required. Instead, the customer visually inspects the extinguishers (check the gauges show green, double check one gauge with a magnet, visually check the hose and body) and records the inspection on the extinguisher itself and in the customer's logbook. When a customer orders P50s, Safelincs carries out a site survey (all our engineers are BAFE approved), installs the required number of extinguishers and trains staff in the visual inspection process. This training is also certified by us. However, as there is no engineer's visit for the next 9 years, the extinguisher is classified as 'service-free'. I had the great pleasure of sitting in one of the industry's working groups that cover extinguisher servicing standards, including the various parts of BS5306. Some of the key parts of the standard deal with the servicing of extinguishers. The industry has still not managed to include the P50 and its specific customer-driven visual maintenance regime or refill cycle into the standards. This might well be linked to the fact that many of the organisations that feed into the relevant BSI standard-writing committee are extinguisher servicing companies. Many see the P50 as a threat, as it can reduce their servicing income. P50s can now be found everywhere: Insurance offices, supermarkets, universities, colleges, churches, all Scottish courts, schools, public bodies and even refineries. They are endorsed by many bodies such as the Boat Safety Scheme, London Fire Brigade as well as insurances such as the NFU, the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group and others. Harry Dewick-Eisele Managing Director Safelincs Ltd

Hi Lori what make and model is this, please? Harry

Hi Sam Here a link to the replacement alarm for Ei151. Harry

Hi First step is to see how old your CO alarm is and whether it needs replacing. Different brands' CO alarms work between 5 and 10 years. There should be a 'replace by' sticker on the unit. Second step is to make sure the batteries are still working correctly. If the CO alarm has replaceable batteries, these might need replacing. Other factors that can set off a CO alarm include boat/car batteries being charged nearby or new floor screed. Harry

Hi Sean, you probably have an ionisation smoke alarm installed (eg EI141 or Ei161). You need the optical version. Simply exchange them on the same base. Here the replacement optical Ei smoke alarm. Harry

Hi Pete, what alarm model do you have? If not sure, can you please send a photo? Harry

With it getting colder at night your backup battery is probably running low giving you a low battery warning. Or your alarm is getting too old (more than 10 years). Step 1: check the age of the alarm. You can find the date on the side or back of your smoke alarm. If it's older than 10 year, you need to replace. Step 2: make sure the backup battery has enough power left Step 3: if none of the above, vacuum the alarm thoroughly to get rid of spider webs etc Step 4: if the above has not helped replace the alarm Harry

Hi, I would guess that it was triggered by the steam from the bath. Most CO or smoke alarms do not work reliably in a bathroom due to the high moisture. Still, worth checking the appliances just to be sure. Harry

Hi Please check replace-by date on the CO alarm to make sure it is not just getting faulty. With both fire alarm and CO alarm in the unit going off, it is unlikely to be a CO leak. However, should the alarm still be in date and the batteries in working condition then you might have to look further into your fuel burning appliances. Harry