New Type of FOAM Extinguisher from Safelincs

New Type of FOAM Extinguisher from Safelincs

Britannia's P50 9ltr foam fire extinguisher is a service-free fire extinguisher, never requiring an engineer call-out during the unit's 10 year guaranteed life. With kitemark to the EN3 standard, these extinguishers conform to all of the latest standards and offer many benefits. 

• Extinguisher Rating 43A, 233B - far surpasses standard 9ltr foams
• Corrosion-proof design
• 10 Year savings on engineer's charges
• No refill after five years required
• 10 Year Warranty
• Manufactured in the UK
• Kitemarked by BSI to BS EN3
• Safe for use on live electrical equipment up to 1000 V at a distance of 1m
• Recyclable extinguisher
• Can be factory refurbished after use or at the end of its 10 year life to give another 10 year lifespan. This service costs currently £120 ex VAT including collection and re-delivery from and to your premises.
• UV Protected
• Super strength composite construction
• Over 2kg lighter than a standard 9ltr foam extinguisher
• Supplied with wall bracket
• Free 'after fire replacement'

Overloading Electrical Sockets

Top tips from electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk on avoiding overloading sockets.

You can avoid overloading sockets and risk of fire by following this simple advice:

• Check the current rating of the extension lead before plugging appliances into it. Most are rated at 13 A, but some are rated at only 10 A or less - the rating should be clearly marked on the back or underside of the extension lead. If not, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Never overload an extension lead by plugging in appliances that together will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. This could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat and possibly cause a fire.
• Use the overload calculator (below) to check if you’re exceeding the maximum load

For a brilliant socket overload calculator visit here

HSE Guidance on Fire Safety

General fire safety hazards

Fires need three things to start – a source of ignition (heat), a source of fuel (something that burns) and oxygen:

• sources of ignition include heaters, lighting, naked flames, electrical equipment, smokers’ materials (cigarettes, matches etc), and anything else that can get very hot or cause sparks
• sources of fuel include wood, paper, plastic, rubber or foam, loose packaging materials, waste rubbish and furniture
• sources of oxygen include the air around us

What do I have to do? 

Employers (and/or building owners or occupiers) must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and keep it up to date. This shares the same approach as health and safety risk assessments and can be carried out either as part of an overall risk assessment or as a separate exercise. 

Based on the findings of the assessment, employers need to ensure that adequate and appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire. 

To help prevent fire in the workplace, your risk assessment should identify what could cause a fire to start, ie sources of ignition (heat or sparks) and substances that burn, and the people who may be at risk. 

Once you have identified the risks, you can take appropriate action to control them. Consider whether you can avoid them altogether or, if this is not possible, how you can reduce the risks and manage them. Also consider how you will protect people if there is a fire. 

• Carry out a fire safety risk assessment 
• Keep sources of ignition and flammable substances apart
• Avoid accidental fires, eg make sure heaters cannot be knocked over
• Ensure good housekeeping at all times, eg avoid build-up of rubbish that could burn
• Consider how to detect fires and how to warn people quickly if they start, eg installing smoke alarms and fire alarms or bells
• Have the correct fire-fighting equipment for putting a fire out quickly
• Keep fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed at all times
• Ensure your workers receive appropriate training on procedures they need to follow, including fire drills
• Review and update your risk assessment regularly

Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence

Landlords’ Fire Safety Duties

Communities and Local Government, give the following advice for those living in shared or rented accommodation:

• If you live in privately rented accommodation, your landlord has to meet certain safety obligations under the law. This includes making sure all gas and electric appliances are safe and in good working order.
• Your landlord must ensure that the property has at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home used as living accommodation.
• Gas appliances must be checked by a Gas Safe registered gas fitter every year.
• Electrical appliances must carry the British Safety Standard sign.
• Your landlord must also ensure furnishings are fire resistant and meet safety regulations.
• Your landlord must show you safety certificates so you can see when gas and electrical appliances were last checked.
• Your landlord must ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is present in all rooms that contain a solid fuel burning appliance and are used as living accommodation. Landlords must test these and the required smoke alarms on the first day of the tenancy.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Fire Safety - The Big 9 Legal Duties

The London Fire Brigade identify 9 legal duties an employer must follow after completing a Fire Risk Assessment:

1) You must make appropriate fire safety arrangements identified by your FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

2) You must nominate people to undertake any special roles identified in your EMERGENCY PLAN

3) You must consult your employees (or their representatives) about nominations to perform special roles and about your proposals for improving the fire precautions,

4) You must inform other responsible persons in the building about any significant risks you found which might affect the safety of their employees and co-operate with them about measures to reduce the risk,

5) If you are not an employer but have any control over a premises you also have responsibility to ensure compliance with the Order in those parts of the building over which you have control,

6) You must establish a suitable and readily available method of calling the emergency service,

7) Your employees are required to co-operate with you to ensure the premises is safe from fire.

8) You must, so far as is reasonably practicable, eliminate or reduce the risk from dangerous stances.

9) You must provide information to your employees on the risks identified by the risk assessment.

London Fire Consultants can provide with assistance in undertaking all aspects of fire safety.