When a fire breaks out, fire safety equipment should be available to tackle the incident. Fire extinguishers need to be placed near fire exits and strategically positioned on evacuation routes, such as stairs. As a business, it is your responsibility to make sure that fire risks are mitigated and that the right type of fire safety equipment is in place. Using the wrong one could worsen the situation.
What Are The Different Types Of Fire Safety Equipment?
Types of fire safety equipment include fire blankets, fire alarms, fire exit signs, and emergency lighting. Everyone in a premises must know which the right piece of equipment is to use for each category of fire.
Fire drills should be done on a regular schedule to keep everyone prepared to act if a fire breaks out.
So, what are the different types of fire safety equipment?
Fire Extinguisher
There are 6 main types of extinguishers:
· Water: Use on class A fires, combustibles such as wood or paper. Not to be used on electrical appliances. Identified with a RED label.
· AFFF Foam: Use on Class A fires and is safe to use on electrical equipment. Identified with a CREAM label.
· Carbon Dioxide: Use on Class B fires, flammable liquids, and electrical fires. Identified with a BLACK label.
· ABC Powder: Use on A, B, and C fires (C class fires, flammable gases) BLUE label
· De – Ionised water Mist: Use all Class A, B, and C fires. WHITE label.
· Wet Chemical: Use on Class F fires (combustible cooking media E.g., cooking oil) YELLOW label.
All these appliances need regular servicing.
Alongside fire extinguishers there are other different types of fire safety equipment, these are:
Fire Blankets
These are a sheet that is used to smother a fire, starve it of oxygen, and put the fire out before it gets out of control. These are typically found in kitchens but are also used in schools, industrial, and residential locations.
Fire Alarms
Fire alarms are installed to give a warning that a fire has broken out. To comply with Fire regulations a comprehensive wired-in system of detectors, plus a control panel should be required. The system will raise the alarm by an audible signal, loud enough to be heard through the building, with multiple sounders if necessary.
The purpose of visual alarm devices, utilising strobe lights, is to alert people of a fire emergency and are used if they are necessary to aid the evacuation of the building. As with all alarm systems, regular maintenance checks should be carried out.
Signage
Of the types of fire safety equipment, signage may be underrated in importance. Signage is a way to give information that will aid fire safety. Fire extinguisher ID signs next to the appliance tell you how and on which fires to use them. Signs for fire exits, fire doors, and escape routes are also essential to ensure quick and safe evacuation in the event of a fire.
Sprinklers
Sprinklers are set on the ceiling to automatically disperse water in the event of a fire if it is not in an environment where electrical fires are common. This will help to smother the fire and will keep it contained until help arrives.
First Aid Kits
All business premises need to have a first aid kit for the health and safety of their employees, and homes should also keep one. The contents of the first aid box need to be checked regularly as some items in them go out of date and need replacing. These contain bandages for burns and creams to minimize burn damage.
Log Books And Documentation
Fire extinguishers need to have annual checks to ensure they are in working order. Premises should have a fire risk assessment to correctly evaluate their fire protection needs. Regular fire drills are a must to maintain fire safety for any business.
A record needs to be kept of all these actions as, if a fire occurs the authorities may want to check that fire regs were followed. Keeping logs and any documentation to support them is best practice.
Using the services of an established fire protection company, Northants Fire, for example, will cover all your fire safety equipment needs. Northants Fire, starting with a Fire Risk Assessment can provide a complete solution to reduce the risk of fire accidents, providing all the types of fire safety equipment for your establishment. They will support you with online or onsite training and maintenance.
Contact now via the website or by calling 01604 760 600 for further information and support.
