AFFF foam fire extinguishers are commonly found in many premises across the UK including offices, schools, warehouses, shops and public buildings due to their unique fire-fighting capabilities. However, AFFF foam extinguishers contain harmful Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) chemicals, and as a result, businesses in the UK are now facing increased costs to properly dispose of these extinguishers before tighter restrictions are introduced. The cost to clean up toxic PFAS pollution could top £1.6tn in UK and Europe according to The Guardian. In this blog, we’ll explore why these extinguishers are being phased out, what’s driving up AFFF foam extinguisher disposal costs, and how businesses can switch to safer, eco-friendly alternatives.
Understanding the Environmental Impact of PFAS
PFAS chemicals found in an AFFF foam fire extinguisher are harmful to the environment and living organisms. Toxic PFAS substances enter our ecosystems, accumulating in water, food, and air. These are slow to degrade and are also known as ‘forever chemicals’ meaning they remain in the environment for a long time.
Humans run the risk of increased cholesterol, lowered immune systems, and damage to liver, thyroid and heart if they ingest compounds such as PFOA or PHFxA. PFAS chemicals are also carcinogenic (cancer causing) and can cause irreparable damage to foetuses.
UK Legislation on PFAS Chemicals
Older AFFF foam extinguishers containing PFOA (C8), part of a sub-group of PFAS, have been subject to legislation since 2020 in the UK and EU. There are now calls for action from various bodies for the UK Government to introduce further restrictions on the manufacture, distribution and use of substances containing Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS). At the time of writing, the Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (Guidance) Bill has had its first reading in the House of Commons. This bill calls on the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water to issue guidance to water companies on PFAS in drinking water. This follows studies on the prevalence of these chemicals in water courses in the UK.
The HSE has also held a consultation on PFAS earlier in the year and is now considering the results before taking action. The action is expected to result in another 40 PFAS substances being registered with UK Reach for regulations. PFHxA (C6), which is used in newer AFFF foam extinguishers and water additive extinguishers is expected to be amongst this list of substances which will soon be subject to restrictions. This follows a broader global trend, with the European Union leading the charge on PFAS restrictions.
Following the forthcoming announcement of the regulations surrounding the use of PFAS fire-fighting foams, any business that continues to use these extinguishers may risk falling foul of compliance requirements in the future.
Businesses could face increased disposal costs
Beyond regulatory pressures, the cost of managing AFFF foam extinguisher disposal is rising. Earlier this year (March 2024) the price of disposing of AFFF foam fire extinguishers was roughly £2-£3 per unit. In October 2024, prices are £8-£9 per unit.
The safe handling and destruction of PFAS foam is a complex process that few facilities in the UK are equipped to handle. This mean costs are likely to increase further as more organisations begin to phase out their old AFFF foam fire extinguisher models. There are currently only 3 facilities in the UK equipped to deal with disposal and demand is likely to soar when further regulatory measures are announced.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to AFFF Foam
Businesses are being encouraged to switch to eco-friendly fire extinguisher alternatives, such as fluorine-free foam and water mist. These options provide effective fire protection without the environmental impact associated with older AFFF extinguishers that contain harmful PFAS chemicals.
P50 fire extinguishers are a sustainable fire-fighting choice, offering a low-energy manufacturing process. They are refillable, are manufactured from recyclable materials, and have a corrosion-proof design suitable for harsh outdoor conditions. By switching to P50 fire extinguishers, you will be reducing you carbon footprint and contributing to your environmental initiatives. Organisations who switch to P50 extinguishers also see substantial cost savings over the guaranteed 10-year lifespan.
AFFF foam fire extinguisher disposal involves high-temperature incineration of the AFFF media. Businesses or organisations should utilise certified disposal services to safely eliminate their AFFF extinguishers, to protect the environment and ensure compliance with UK regulations. As more companies phase out AFFF foam, disposal services will become increasingly expensive and harder to secure (as we’ve already started to see).
Spreading the cost of replacing AFFF foam extinguishers
At Safelincs, we understand that transitioning can seem daunting. As part of our service to help you switch to environmentally friendly alternatives, we will safely and responsibly dispose of your AFFF fire extinguishers. Businesses can start replacing AFFF foam fire extinguishers that have reached the end of their usable life now, and gradually phase out remaining units over time. This approach helps manage costs whilst ensuring compliance and environmental responsibility. To make the process seamless, we provide free site surveys for P50 fire extinguishers and tailored recommendations for eco-friendly alternatives suited to your fire risks. You can also contact our BDM team if you would like more information about the extinguishers, or the transition.
When it comes to fire safety, CO2 fire extinguishers are a popular choice for tackling fires involving electrical equipment and flammable liquid fires (class B). They’re effective and leave no messy residue, but they must be used correctly to ensure safety. Misuse of a CO2 fire extinguisher could be dangerous to the user or anyone nearby, with severe consequences.
The dangers of CO2 fire extinguishers
Easily recognised by their flute-shaped discharge horn, CO2 extinguishers are colour coded with a black label on the red extinguisher. While CO2 extinguishers can save lives in an emergency, if mishandled or used in the wrong situation they also pose the following potential risks.
Safety risks from CO2 extinguishers:
Suffocation
Frostbite / cold burns
Visibility impairment
High pressure release injury
CO2 displacing oxygen
A CO2 extinguisher works by displacing oxygen in the air, suffocating the fire since it cannot burn without oxygen. Discharging a CO2 extinguisher within a poorly ventilated area or confined space can affect people nearby. The displacing of oxygen and increase in CO2 can lead to suffocation or asphyxiation
Cold burns (frostbite) from gas or nozzle
CO2 is released from the extinguisher at extremely low temperatures, typically around -78°C (-109°F). Meaning that if either the gas or nozzle came into contact with skin, this would cause cold burns or frostbite. When ordering CO2 extinguishers, we recommend buying a CO2 extinguisher with a frost-free horn.
Pressure hazard
Carbon dioxide extinguishers are highly pressured (about 55 bar at room temperature). Therefore, if handled improperly, dropped or damaged, this could cause the extinguisher to explode or enable gas to escape suddenly.
Limited fire suppression capability
CO2 extinguishers are primarily suitable for fires involving flammable liquids (class B) and electrical equipment. Though CO₂ is cold when released, it is unsuitable for Class A fires involving solid combustibles like paper or wood. Class A fires require water-based extinguishers that penetrate/saturate the burning material to extinguish and prevent re-ignition. A smouldering Class A fire could re-ignite once the CO2 gas has dispersed.
How to safely use carbon dioxide extinguishers
In order to safely use a CO2 extinguisher, you should ensure that once the pin has been unlocked, the extinguisher is being held upright. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire and avoid touching the horn. Squeeze the handle to release the CO2.
Once discharged, move to fresh air as soon as possible, away from the CO gas to avoid suffocation or visibility impairment. Prevent injuries by carefully handling the CO2 extinguisher to avoid damage and to prevent any accidental gas release.
Why are CO2 extinguishers useful?
CO2 extinguishers are useful as they have the ability to extinguish fires without causing damage to electrical equipment, also leaving no residue at the same time. This key quality means CO2 extinguishers are particularly valuable inserver rooms or anywhere with a lot of expensive electrical equipment.
One drawback of CO2 extinguishers is they are unsuitable for class A fires (solid combustibles). However, in office or retail environments, they are often paired with a water extinguisher or foam extinguisher. In these cases, the CO2 handles electrical fires, while water or foam can be used to tackle class A fires. It’s common to see CO2 extinguishers alongside water or foam extinguishers, unless the fire risks are solely covered by the CO2.
Where are carbon dioxide extinguishers suitable for?
As CO2 fire extinguishers are suitable for fires involving electrical equipment, they are ideal for server rooms. These days CO2 extinguishers are mainly used in this type of environment as they leave no harmful residue that may contaminate sensitive circuitry. Please note, that the use of CO2 gas on electronics can still damage the circuits through static or temperature shock.
Should carbon dioxide extinguishers be used in offices?
CO2 extinguishers are generally not recommended as the primary choice for office use because they are not effective on class A fires. CO2 extinguishers are designed for Class B (flammable liquids) and electrical fires; however, most fire risks in office spaces are typically Class A and live electrical equipment. While CO2 is effective for electrical fires, these fires often ignite nearby combustible materials, escalating into a Class A fire. At this point, the CO2 extinguisher would not be effective for extinguishing the Class A fire, so a water-based extinguisher is generally required to safely put it out.
Water mist extinguishers that have been di-electrically tested are an ideal alternative in offices as they can handle all common office fire risks (including class A and live electrical equipment), allowing a single extinguisher at each fire point instead of two. This also reduces the risk of someone using the wrong extinguisher on a fire type, which could be very dangerous.
Call our team on 0800 612 6537 to discuss your fire extinguisher requirements or explore our website and see our impressive range of affordable fire safety products in greater detail.
Yasmin is a content creator at Safelincs. She is involved in event planning, partner marketing and creates content for Safelincs social media. She also provides support to HR with internal, recruitment and community initiatives.
Care homes present unique fire safety challenges that demand exceptional attention to detail, particularly when it comes to fire proof doors. With vulnerable residents who may have mobility issues, cognitive impairments or require assistance during emergencies, every second counts during an evacuation. Fire doors equipped with proper fire door closers, fire door strips and fire door retainers can mean the difference between a safe evacuation and tragedy.
Why Fire Doors Are Critical in Care Home Environments
Unlike typical commercial buildings where occupants can evacuate quickly and independently, care homes rely on phased or horizontal evacuations. Many residents cannot evacuate simultaneously due to mobility restrictions, medical conditions or cognitive impairments. This makes effective fire compartmentation absolutely essential, and fire proof doors in care homes serve as the primary defence against fire and smoke spread.
Fire doors in care settings must balance two competing needs: maintaining strict fire safety standards while ensuring accessibility for residents and staff. The weight of fire doors, combined with the force required from a standard fire door closer, can create significant barriers for elderly residents, those using mobility aids, or staff pushing wheelchairs and beds through doorways.
The typical care home fire door requires a 60-minute fire rating (FD60), though specific requirements depend on your fire risk assessment. These heavier doors provide crucial additional time for staff to implement evacuation procedures, but they also present greater accessibility challenges. This is where selecting the right door closers with appropriate power sizes becomes essential – they must be strong enough to close these substantial doors reliably while not creating insurmountable barriers for daily use.
Essential Components: Fire Door Strips and Seals
The effectiveness of any fire proof door in a care home depends significantly on its fire door strips and fire door seal systems. These intumescent strips remain dormant under normal conditions but expand dramatically when exposed to heat, sealing the gaps between the door and frame. In care homes, where evacuation times are extended, these fire door strips provide vital protection by preventing smoke and flames from bypassing closed doors.
Every fire door must have properly fitted and maintained intumescent strips on three sides – the top and both verticals. For care homes, combined fire and smoke seals are particularly important, as smoke inhalation poses a severe risk to residents who may be slow to evacuate or have respiratory conditions. The smoke seal component works immediately when the door closes, preventing cold smoke from spreading, while the intumescent element activates at higher temperatures.
Regular inspection of these fire door seals is crucial in care settings. Daily use by staff, residents, and visitors, combined with the passage of wheelchairs, trolleys and medical equipment, can damage or dislodge strips. Any compromised seal reduces the door’s fire resistance rating, potentially endangering lives during an emergency.
Close up of modern wooden care home doors.
The Role of Fire Door Closers in Care Settings
A fire door closer serves a critical function in care homes by ensuring doors return to their closed position after use, maintaining compartmentation integrity. However, standard overhead closers can create significant challenges for care home residents and staff. The force required to open a door against a traditional closer can be prohibitive for elderly or frail residents, potentially limiting their independence and quality of life.
Free-swing door closers offer an innovative solution specifically suited to care environments. These devices allow fire doors to operate like standard doors with no resistance during normal use, while automatically engaging to close the door when the fire alarm activates. This technology removes the physical barrier that traditional closers present and maintains full fire safety compliance.
When selecting a fire door closer for care homes, consider the EN power size carefully. While EN3 is the minimum for fire doors, care homes often require higher power sizes due to heavier door construction and the need for reliable closure despite potential obstructions. Variable power closers allow fine-tuning to achieve the perfect balance between accessibility and safety.
Fire Door Retainers: Improving Accessibility and Safety
Fire door retainers represent one of the most significant advances in making care homes both safer and more accessible. These devices safely hold fire doors open during normal operations, improving ventilation, easing movement for residents and staff, and reducing the temptation to prop doors open illegally. When the fire alarm sounds, the fire door retainer releases automatically, allowing the door closer to shut the door completely.
For care homes, different types of retainers offer various benefits. Acoustic retainers like the Dorgard system work independently, listening for the fire alarm sound and releasing when triggered. These wireless, battery-powered units are ideal for retrofitting existing doors without complex wiring. Electromagnetic retainers connected to the fire alarm panel provide fail-safe operation, releasing doors when power shut-off is triggered by the fire alarm panel.
The Fireco Pro System offers particular advantages for care facilities, allowing multiple doors throughout the building to be controlled centrally. This networked approach ensures all doors close simultaneously during an alarm, crucial for maintaining compartmentation across large care home complexes. The system’s ability to integrate with existing fire alarm infrastructure makes it especially suitable for comprehensive fire safety strategies.
Maintenance and Inspection Requirements
In care homes, where residents rely heavily on phased evacuations, maintaining fire doors in perfect working order is paramount. Every component – from fire door strips to closers and retainers – must function flawlessly when needed. The maintenance requirements for care home fire doors often exceeds those of standard commercial buildings due to the vulnerability of residents.
Fire door inspections by qualified professionals should occur annually, with functionality checks by competent persons every six months. However, in care settings, more frequent informal checks are advisable. Staff should be trained to identify obvious issues like damaged fire door seals, malfunctioning closers, or doors that don’t close properly. Any problems must be addressed immediately – there’s no room for delayed maintenance when vulnerable lives are at stake.
Documentation of all inspections, maintenance, and repairs is essential for legal compliance and best practice. Care homes should maintain detailed records showing that fire doors, including all fire door strips and closers, meet required standards. This documentation proves due diligence and helps identify recurring issues that might indicate the need for door replacement or system upgrades.
Meeting Accessibility Needs Without Compromising Safety
The Equality Act 2010 requires care homes to make reasonable adjustments for disabled residents, but this must never compromise fire safety. Installing appropriate fire door furniture and accessories that improve accessibility and maintain fire integrity requires careful planning and expert advice.
Electronic door closers with adjustable opening forces can reduce the effort needed to open doors during normal use while ensuring reliable closure during emergencies. Hold-open devices eliminate the need for residents to struggle with heavy doors, improving their independence and dignity. These solutions demonstrate that accessibility and safety aren’t mutually exclusive when properly implemented.
For residents with specific mobility needs, consider the door’s full opening cycle. A fire door retainer might hold the door open, but if residents need to close it for privacy, they still face the resistance of the door closer. Free-swing closers address this by removing resistance entirely during normal use, allowing residents to operate doors independently.
Legal Responsibilities and Best Practices
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places clear obligations on care home operators regarding fire doors. Failure to maintain fire doors, including ensuring functional fire door strips, appropriate closers, and proper fire door seals, can result in prosecution, especially if inadequate maintenance contributes to injury or death during a fire.
Beyond legal compliance, care homes have a moral duty to protect their vulnerable residents. This means going beyond minimum requirements where necessary. If your risk assessment specifies FD30 doors, consider whether FD60 doors would provide better protection given your residents’ evacuation capabilities. Similarly, while basic fire door strips meet regulations, combined fire and smoke seals offer superior protection for those who cannot evacuate quickly.
Staff training is crucial for maintaining fire door effectiveness. All staff should understand why fire doors must never be wedged open, how to identify problems with doors or their components, and the importance of reporting issues immediately. Regular fire drills should include checking that all fire doors close properly when retainers release, ensuring the entire system works as intended.
Creating a Comprehensive Fire Door Strategy
Developing an effective fire door strategy for care homes requires careful consideration of resident needs, building layout, and evacuation procedures. Start with a thorough fire risk assessment that considers your specific resident population, including their mobility levels, cognitive abilities and medical needs. This assessment should inform decisions about door ratings, the type of fire door closer systems to install, and where fire door retainers would be most beneficial.
Consider creating zones within your facility with different fire door specifications based on risk levels and resident capabilities. High-dependency units might require FD60 doors with sophisticated retainer systems, while independent living areas might manage with FD30 doors and standard closers. This targeted approach optimises both safety and cost-effectiveness.
Regular reviews of your fire door strategy ensure it remains appropriate as resident needs change. What works for today’s resident population might be inadequate tomorrow. Building modifications, changes in care levels or new regulations all necessitate strategy updates. Maintaining flexibility while ensuring compliance requires ongoing attention and expert guidance.
Fire doors in care homes represent a critical life safety system that must balance stringent fire protection requirements with the practical needs of vulnerable residents. Through careful selection and maintenance of fire door closers, fire door strips, fire door seals and fire door retainers, care homes can create environments that are both safe and accessible.
The investment in proper fire proof door systems for care homes, including high-quality components and regular maintenance, pays dividends in resident safety, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. When every second counts during an evacuation, properly functioning fire doors with appropriate closers, intact fire door strips and reliable retainers provide the time needed to ensure every resident reaches safety.
Remember, fire safety in care homes isn’t just about meeting regulations – it’s about protecting society’s most vulnerable members. By understanding and implementing comprehensive fire door systems, care home operators demonstrate their commitment to resident welfare while creating environments where safety and quality of life coexist harmoniously.
A fireproof box protects your valuable documents from fire and flood damage for under £100, potentially saving you more than £1000 in replacement costs and countless hours of admin. It’s one of the smartest investments you can make for peace of mind.
House fires and floods don’t give you a warning. When disaster strikes, you’ve got seconds to get your family to safety. There’s no time to hunt for birth certificates or passports. That’s where a fireproof box becomes your silent guardian, protecting what matters most when you can’t.
A fireproof box protects important documents from flames and floods
What is a fireproof document box?
A fireproof box is a lockable case (often waterproof too) designed to keep your important documents safe from fire and flood. You might also hear them called a fireproof safe or ‘deed box’ – named after house deeds that people traditionally stored in them.
These fireproof boxes for storage protect your most important papers. Think passports, marriage certificates, insurance documents and bank details. Anything you’d struggle to replace or can’t afford to lose.
A fireproof safe protects important documents, digital media, cash and valuables from flames and floods.
What can you store in fireproof boxes for important papers?
Fireproof safes for documents and data media aren’t just for legal paperwork. They’ll protect anything with sentimental value too. Some home and office document safes are certified to protect digital media like disks and hard drives.
A fireproof box for photos makes perfect sense if you’ve got irreplaceable family pictures. These fireproof boxes and chests come in various sizes, up to 18.5L capacity. Whether you need a fireproof box for house deeds or a comprehensive fire proof box for documents, there’s a size that’ll work.
There is no time to find personal or valuable documents in an emergency
Why is a fireproof safe important?
When your house is on fire, everyone needs to get out fast. Stopping to collect valuables is incredibly dangerous and should never be done. But this means your important documents are left behind in the flames.
Flash floods happen quickly too. You might not have time to locate and rescue personal belongings. Fireproof safes give you protection and peace of mind. You can escape to safety knowing your documents are secure.
Fires and floods can happen when your house is empty too. Fireproof safes and boxes are the only way to ensure your important documents survive when no one’s around to save them.
There’s no time to find personal or valuable documents in an emergency.
Are fireproof boxes for storage worth the investment?
A simple A4 safe, like The Sentry Safe CHW20101, costs less than £100. These lockable boxes offer 30 minutes of fire protection up to 843 °C and protect against flood damage for up to 72 hours. This model is UL certified for A4 paper documents and digital media (hard drives, CDs, DVDs), with a 7.84L capacity. It comes with a lifelong after-fire replacement warranty, making it a solid long-term investment.
Let’s look at what this might contain for a family of three, and the replacement costs:
£43.00 +/- (depending upon exam board / institution)
(5+)
Total:
£1080.50 – £1230.50
Table showing replacement costs for important documents (2024)
Table showing replacement costs for important documents (2024).
The total replacement cost could easily top £1000, or much more for larger families. This doesn’t include the time and energy you’ll spend on admin. Sentimental items or digital media might never be replaceable.
Even if your home insurance covers these documents, there’s significant admin needed to get copies. Having intact insurance documents will speed up your claim after a fire or flood. The cost of the best fireproof document box is tiny compared to replacement costs and hassle.
Passports are important personal documents, and expensive to replace
Buying the best fireproof safe for home use in the UK
Investing in fireproof boxes for important papers could save you over a thousand pounds and hours of admin time. A fireproof box in the UK can protect sentimental papers and digital media that can’t be replaced. A fireproof box for documents in the UK offers the peace of mind that comes with knowing your most important papers are safe.
Get free delivery today and enjoy the peace of mind that a quality deed box provides.
Don’t wait for disaster to strike. A fireproof box is cheap insurance against catastrophic loss. For less than £100, you’re protecting documents worth over £1000 and countless hours of your time. Contact our friendly customer service team or call us on 0800 612 6537 for more information.
Glossary of Terms
Deed box: Traditional term for a fireproof safe used to store house deeds and other legal documents.
Fire rating: How long a fireproof box can protect contents at specific temperatures (e.g. 30 minutes at 843°C).
Fireproof box: A secure, fire-resistant container to protect documents and valuables from fire and water damage.
Fireproof safe: Another term for a fireproof box, often referring to larger or more secure models.
UL certification: An independent testing standard that verifies a fireproof safe’s protection levels for different types of media.
Water resistance rating: How long fireproof boxes and chests can protect contents when submerged (e.g. 72 hours underwater protection).
All information is correct at the time of posting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the best fireproof safe for home use in the UK cost?
The best fireproof document box typically costs under £100 for a quality A4-sized model. For example, the Sentry Safe CHW20101 offers 30 minutes of fire protection up to 843°C and flood protection for 72 hours. When you consider that replacing important documents can cost over £1000 for a family of three, a fireproof box represents excellent value. Fireproof safes and boxes have lifelong after-fire replacement warranties, making them a wise long-term investment.
What’s the difference between fireproof safes and fireproof boxes and chests?
The terms fireproof safe and fireproof box are often used interchangeably. Both refer to fire-resistant containers designed to protect your valuables. Home and office document safes might be slightly larger or have more robust locking mechanisms, but they serve the same purpose as fireproof boxes for storage. Whether you choose fireproof safes for documents and data media or simpler fireproof boxes for important papers, the key is finding one that meets your capacity and fire rating requirements.
Can I use a fireproof box for photos and digital media?
Absolutely. Many fireproof safes for documents and data media are certified to protect both paper documents and digital storage devices. A fireproof box for photos will safeguard your irreplaceable family pictures, while the same fire proof box for documents can protect hard drives, CDs and DVDs. Look for models with UL certification for digital media protection to ensure your precious memories and important digital files survive fire and flood damage.
What documents should I store in my fireproof box for house deeds?
A fireproof box for house deeds should contain all your most important legal and personal documents. Store house deeds, passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, insurance documents, bank details and vehicle log books. You can also use fireproof boxes for important papers to protect qualifications like degrees and A-levels. Remember, these documents would be expensive and time-consuming to replace, some costing hundreds of pounds each.
Where can I buy a fireproof box for documents in the UK?
You can purchase a fireproof box in the UK from Safelincs with free delivery. We stock a range of fireproof boxes for storage that are suitable for different needs and budgets. Whether you need a compact best fireproof document box for essential papers or larger home and office document safes for extensive document storage, we’ve got options to suit. Contact our friendly customer service team or call 0800 612 6537 for advice on choosing the right model.
How long will a fireproof safe protect my documents during a house fire?
Most quality fireproof safes provide protection for 30 minutes at temperatures up to 843°C. This timeframe typically covers the duration of a house fire affecting the area where your fireproof box is located. Fireproof boxes and chests are designed to maintain internal temperatures low enough to prevent paper documents from burning or becoming damaged. The fire rating varies between models, so check the specifications when choosing the best fireproof safe for home use in the UK.
Are fireproof boxes for storage also waterproof?
Yes, most modern fireproof safes and boxes offer fire and water protection. Quality fireproof boxes for essential papers typically provide flood protection for up to 72 hours when fully submerged. This dual protection is crucial because firefighting efforts often result in significant water damage. A fireproof box that’s also waterproof ensures your documents stay safe from flames and the water used to extinguish them, giving you complete peace of mind.
Fire extinguisher commissioning is the initial inspection of new fire extinguishers by a qualified fire extinguisher engineer. This inspection involves looking for visible faults, or signs of damage to the extinguisher which may have occurred during transit. It is essential that these inspections are done on-site where the extinguisher will be installed, as a damaged extinguisher may not be effective in an emergency. Depending on the type of damage it could even cause harm to the user if deployed.
British Standard BS5306-3:2009 specifically requests on-site commissioning to be completed after transportation. Suppliers will deliver new extinguishers containing the required fire fighting medium, meaning that they are technically ready for use. However, fire extinguishers must never be used, or installed, until a qualified engineer has commissioned the unit. This is because no matter how strong the supplier’s quality checks are, there can be no guarantee that the unit is safe for use, as it may have been damaged in transit.
To ensure that new fire extinguishers are fit for purpose, they should always be purchased through a reputable supplier which has third party certification. This includes BAFE accreditation, which can only be obtained by organisations that have demonstrated that the services and products they provide conform to recognised standards. This provides peace of mind about quality and compliance.
No reputable fire safety company will supply pre-commissioned fire extinguishers. While this option may appear convenient, in practice, it could mean that the extinguisher will not work if a fire breaks out. The extinguisher may have been deemed safe for use at the suppliers warehouse, there is no way to guarantee that the unit has not been compromised on its way to the end user. Some issues may be obvious, and could be picked up by a member of staff on arrival. However, some damage may be more subtle, and can only be identified by a qualified engineer.
On-site fire extinguisher commissioning is therefore a requirement which protects the user. While providing organisations with peace of mind that their extinguishers will be fit for use in the event of a fire. The practise of pre-commissioning puts the customer both at the risk of injury and exposes them to substantial legal liabilities.
Risks of pre-commissioned extinguishers
Cylinders may be dented, which may impact the medium they contain
Tubing can become detached or damaged, meaning the medium cannot be expelled effectively, or at all
Handles and safety pins can get bent to a degree that they cannot be used in an emergency. This often happens when low quality fire extinguishers rest on their heads in transit
Extinguishers containing CO2 can leak during transit. This type of extinguisher does not have a pressure valve, and so only a careful weight test during commissioning (removing the horn and measuring with precision scales) will reveal any loss in pressure and weight
End users require a certificate by an engineer to state that their premises are covered in accordance to the British Standard. A pre filled in servicing label on the extinguisher does not certify that the extinguisher is installed in the correct position, or that it is in fact the right extinguisher for the risks present at the location
Fire extinguisher commissioning vs servicing
Fire extinguisher commissioning must be done by a trained engineer upon installation, to ensure that it is fit for purpose. This includes ensuring that it is the right type of extinguisher for the risks present in the area, and that it is not damaged or otherwise compromised. Commissioning must be done before the extinguisher is used, as it may not be safe to discharge, even in the event of a fire.
Fire extinguisher servicing often involves similar checks by a trained engineer, but is not required upon installation. Depending on the type of extinguisher and its age, this can sometimes involve disassembly and refilling. To comply with British Standards, steel fire extinguishers need to be serviced annually. Failure to do so puts lives at risk, and there could be legal action if the servicing has not been completed. Especially, if an extinguisher fails to discharge, or causes harm to the user in the event of a fire. Servicing also ensures that the Responsible Person is made aware when their extinguishers are nearing their end of life, so that replacements can be sourced in good time.
Service-free extinguishers do not need to be serviced annually by an engineer. However, they must still be commissioned on site upon installation, and visually checked by a trained member of staff annually.
Servicing and Commissioning Options
Always ensure that fire extinguishers are supplied by a reputable company with third party accreditation, and commissioned upon installation by a qualified engineer. This ensures that the extinguisher is fit for purpose, and ready for use in the event of a fire. Commissioning and annual servicing in line with British Standards also protects organisations from legal action in the event of a fire, particularly if an extinguisher is damaged or faulty when required.
For more information about fulfilling your extinguisher installation and maintenance requirements, contact Safelincs on 0800 612 4827 or email support@safelincs.co.uk.
Dangling wires, unsupervised charging devices, trailing cables and lights can lead to pets either playing with, chewing or tripping over them. To prevent fire risks, secure wires out of reach and avoid leaving devices charging where your pets can access them. Hair accessories such as curling tongs and straighteners can also easily be knocked from their heat mats by pets. Ensuring they are never left unsupervised when turned on is crucial. Also keeping out of reach and turning them off once finished with, is extremely important.
Pets and heaters or log fires
Portable heaters can easily get knocked over and open log fires can be caught whilst passing which can lead to a fire. Invest in a fire guard, never leave pets unattended near heat sources, and place portable heaters safely to reduce fire risks.
Pets and candles
Candles can be easily knocked over while lit, potentially causing fires. To prevent this, use battery-powered candles. If you light traditional candles, keep them out of your pets’ reach and always extinguish them before bedtime or leaving the house.
Dogs and ovens or hobs
Dogs, especially curious or energetic ones, can accidentally create dangerous situations in the kitchen. One common risk is that pets might bump into or play with oven and hob dials, accidentally turning them on. This can cause the stove to ignite, leading to a fire hazard, especially if there are flammable items nearby like dish towels, paper, or grease. To prevent this, keep pets out of the kitchen while cooking or purchase stove knob covers.
Pet fire safety in the garden
Open fire pits and camp fires are a risk towards pets, alongside patio heaters which can be knocked over. Be especially careful with pets around BBQ’s as they may have the temptation to steal meat or fish which could lead to knocking over the BBQ. Keep pets away from these areas or have limited access within the garden to prevent this.
Install working smoke alarms
Ensure smoke alarms are installed on every floor of your home, including the basement and attic, to ensure you’re alerted to a fire as soon as it starts. By installing working smoke alarms on every floor of your home, you significantly increase your family’s chances of escaping safely in the event of a fire.
Regularly test smoke alarms
Testing your smoke alarms regularly is a vital part of maintaining home safety. Smoke alarms are only effective if they are in good working condition, and regular testing ensures that they can reliably alert you in the event of a fire. We can offer you help with our smoke alarm reminder service, reminding you via SMS or email at your chosen frequency to test your smoke alarms.
Pet fire safety escape plan
Develop a comprehensive fire escape plan that includes provisions for your pets. Ensure that every member of your household knows and regularly practices the plan, so they are prepared in an emergency.
Keep fire extinguishers and blankets handy
Have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket readily available for emergencies. A water or water mist extinguisher is ideal as they are pet-friendly, containing no harmful substances and leaving no residue.
Keep Hallways and Exits Clear
Ensure hallways and entrances are free of clutter, allowing a quick and safe escape in case of a fire. Facing obstacles whilst trying to escape during a fire can cause injuries and prevent escaping in some scenarios. This also helps firefighters easily access your home and rescue pets or family members inside.
Yasmin is a content creator at Safelincs. She is involved in event planning, partner marketing and creates content for Safelincs social media. She also provides support to HR with internal, recruitment and community initiatives.
There are different types of emergency lights; some function as a normal light and others only as an emergency light. You should know what type of emergency light you need to install. For example; do you want a maintained emergency light (stays on constantly) or a non-maintained emergency light? For more information read our blog on maintained or non-maintained lighting.
As the responsible person it is your legal obligation to ensure that emergency lighting is installed. Covering all the escape routes and exits from every area of the building with a minimum backup duration of up to 3 hours.Emergency lighting is essential to light escapes routes for emergency evacuations when normal mains-power failure. Power outages are likely in a fire / flood due to electrical damage.
Emergency lighting lights the way to guide occupants to the nearest exit
When installing emergency lights, take into account any hazards along the evacuation route, such as corners, stairways or uneven flooring. You must also ensure that fire alarm call points and equipment used for firefighting, such as extinguishers or fire blankets, are adequately illuminated to be easily seen or located. Some areas will require continued operation (e.g. a chemical processing room, operating theatre etc); higher continued lighting requirements must be considered in these areas.
A sub-category of emergency lighting is fire exit signs, which are green ‘running man’ signs with arrows that guide people towards the nearest exits. These are either internally lit or if sufficient other lighting is available, they can be photoluminescent. These ‘glow-in-the-dark’ signs store energy from either natural or artificial light and releases this stored energy when the light source is no longer there, emitting a yellow / green glow to illuminate the text on the sign.
You should refer to your fire risk assessment to ensure that you have covered all the essential fire escape routes and addressed any hazards on your site that were highlighted in this assessment. It is a legal requirement to carry out a fire risk assessment and you should refresh this assessment if the activities within your premises change or if significant changes to the layout are made. You can find authoritative guidance in the government's fire risk assessment guides.
As with all fire safety equipment, regular testing of your emergency lights must be carried out to ensure that it is working correctly. You should test that the lights are triggered when the mains supply is cut, and also that all the lights are illuminated as they should be. This can be done with the use of a fish key.
You will need to test your lighting once a month and ensure that a full discharge test is carried once a year. Log the results as any other fire safety equipment tests in your fire safety logbook.
If you would like to know more about emergency lighting our emergency lighting guides can provide you with useful information.
Free reminder service
Sign up to our free reminder service to receive text or email reminders to regularly test your emergency lighting.
Angie Dewick-Eisele is co-founder of Safelincs Ltd, one of the leading fire safety providers in the UK. Angie was Marketing Manager for many years and as Director is these days responsible for Content Management.
Trauma kits are used when specialist equipment is required to help stop severe bleeding. Typically, in a trauma kit you will find specialist items such as haemostatic gauze which is a type of bandage that helps the blood start to clot quicker. A tourniquet is a device that is tied, then tightened, around a limb to slow down or even cut off the blood supply. Preventing an injured person from losing too much blood until the emergency services arrive and can take over. Chest seals are another type of bandage that has been developed for deep puncture wounds to the chest, neck and abdomen. A chest seal does not stop a wound from bleeding. Rather, it works to close off the wound to prevent air from entering the chest cavity. Many versions also have a vent mechanism to allow any air that’s already trapped in the chest to leave.
What is a catastrophic bleed?
This is an increasingly common ‘umbrella’ term for a life-threatening bleeds, arterial bleeds and non-compressible bleeds i.e. not controllable by ordinary means. A catastrophic bleed is when the bleeding is so severe that it is not possible to stop it with direct pressure. It usually occurs due to a damaged artery and someone can bleed to death in a matter of minutes. When dealing with a catastrophic bleed, stopping the bleeding takes priority over everything else – including CPR.
Trauma kits have been created in conjunction with medical professionals, counter terrorism officers and military experts. They contain specific products to help stop major bleeding allowing the first responder to treat major blood loss.
Martyn’s Law
After the Manchester arena bombing, Figen Murray the mother of Martyn Hett who tragically lost his life along with 21 others, has been campaigning to have better protection against terrorist attacks in public places. It is estimated that on that evening around 800 people were hurt, and 112 were hospitalised for their injuries. The legislation that is due to become law, requires that public venues are better equipped to deal with mass casualties. Part of the requirements will be to have trauma kits to help stop catastrophic bleeds. In the case of a terror attack, there tends to be a lot of casualties that can often overwhelm the emergency services. By having trauma kits on hand that can be used by anyone the hope is that more people will survive.
High risk work places
Trauma kits are also invaluable for certain high-risk industries such as agriculture, forestry, construction, wood working, and glass cutting. It is possible use some of the equipment yourself which would be especially good for lone workers. Our range of trauma kits come in different sizes depending on your requirements.
Chip pans, or deep fat fryers, are the leading cause of injury from home fires in the UK. Nearly 20 people are killed or injured every day by chip pan fires. These cause damage to homes, and severe burns to users.
Why are chip pans dangerous?
Chip pans are dangerous because they use large amounts of heated oil to cook food. Fires can happen if the oil in the pan becomes too hot and catches fire. They can also start if the oil splashes or spills onto the hob. Either of these can happen very quickly, and are very difficult to prevent.
This is incredibly dangerous because cooking oil fats cannot be extinguished with water. Attempting to do so can cause the burning oil to splash and spread, and can even cause explosions. Watch this video to see what happens when water is added to a cooking oil fire.
The risk of chip pan fires becomes even higher when they are used in households with children and pets, by adults who have been drinking, or when they are left unattended.
Water Mist Extinguishers on Class F Fires
Do not try and put out a chip pan fire with a standard water extinguisher, as it can cause splashing. However, small Water Mist fire extinguishers for household or small kitchen use often have F class ratings. Because water mist extinguishers dispense de-ionised water in microscopic droplets through the special nozzle, they prevent splashing. This makes them suitable for use on hot cooking oil.
To extinguish a chip pan fire, apply the fine spray to the blaze in slow circular movements. This allows the curtain of water mist to fall gently onto the surface of the fire without causing the burning oil to splash and spread. The mist also cools the flames to extinguish the fire.
What to do if my chip pan catches fire?
Hot oil in chip pans can quickly catch fire
If your chip pan or deep fat fryer catches fire, do not attempt to put it out with water. Where you have a fire blanket or F Class fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and it the fire is still contained within the pan, you may attempt to extinguish the blaze.
If the fire has already begun to spread, or an attempt to safely extinguish it is unsuccessful, evacuate the building and call the emergency services immediately. Do not stop to collect your belongings – chip pan fires can spread very quickly and you may become trapped in the burning building.
How to use a fire blanket
If you need to use a fire blanket, turn off the heat source if it is possible to do so.
Pull the black dangling tapes downwards to release the fire blanket from its container.
Wrap the corners of the blanket around your hands to protect them from the fire, then place the blanket over the object that is on fire.
Leave the blanket in place until the fire is out and the object is cool.
The best way to reduce the risk of chip pan fires is not to use them at all – opting for oven cooked chips or using an air fryer is a much safer option. Particularly if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the safest option is to order takeaway chips.
If a chip pan or deep fat fryer is being used, here are some ways to mitigate the risks:
Read the instructions carefully – ensure you do not over fill the pan
Have a working heat detector in your kitchen, and working smoke alarms throughout your home to alert you to fire quickly – these should be tested regularly
Fit a Class F fire extinguisher – water mist or wet chemical units can be used on chip pan fires
Ensure that the chip pan has the full attention of a responsible adult when in use – this equipment should never be used by children, or adults who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Improving fire safety in the home
Chip pans pose a significant fire risk, causing more than 20 fires a day in the UK alone. However, this is not the only way that home fires can start. To learn more about fire risks in your home, and how to reduce them, use our free Home Fire Safety Check tool. This quick survey provides personalised tips and advice tailored to your home and its occupants.
Securing your building against unauthorized entry whilst maintaining a swift and safe fire escape can be challenging. Magnetic locks (also known as maglocks) are designed for this purpose, to provide secure access control into a building.
Access Control Systems & Magnetic Locks
How do magnetic door locks work?
Maglocks use a strong, electrically powered electromagnet to hold the door closed. If the power fails, or is interrupted by a fire alarm signal, the magnet loses power and releases the door. During normal use, the door is released by pressing an INSIDE button, with external keypad overrides available.
Of course, if the fire alarm is activated, the maglocks will be released automatically in any system. The maglock devices are powered by a 12V power supply.
We have a range of magnetic access control kits that keep out uninvited guests. Linking up with fire detection units and releasing doors in the event of a fire. These kits also come ready to be installed by a qualified electrician.
For a range of other access door control equipment, take a look at our exit door securityrange.
