Fire Extinguisher

[sheri1000]

what type of fire extinguisher should i get for a gas heated flat with gas cooker and electric oven?

[GJMSurrey]

Just a quick thought, some councils now recommend NOT to put a fire extinguisher ina property as this can lead peple to try to fire fight rather than try to escape.

Fire blankets are always recommended though.

Sorry to answer your original question though

[jeffrey]

Presumably CO2-filled, to cope with electrical fires.

[TenantsLuvMe]

If you contact your local fire station, they will come round and assess the property and what your fire protection needs should be.

I wouldn't take advice from this site unless the respondents are qualified Fire Marshalls/Fighters.

[jeffrey]

Just a quick thought, some councils now recommend NOT to put a fire extinguisher ina property as this can lead peple to try to fire fight rather than try to escape.
More elfansafety cobblers. Choose between:
a. trying to fight fire; and
b. burning to death.

[sjp20]

2kg Powder is the most suitable for a kitchen and a fire blanket.

We own a fire prevention services company and do this for a living (when we are not dealing with our few rental properties) although we don't usually bother with residential properties and deal with mainly small business.

You can get both of these in most local stores ie b&q etc, we supply them as a pack also, if you want to email info@fire-preventionservices.co.uk.

By the way it is worth noting for other landlords out there that all HMO's have to have extinguishers on each landing, for more info you can also email us and for info on how to conduct your fire risk assessment.

It is not law that you have to have this equipment, however I would rather have it there than take the risk, its not about fighting the fire, no one is asking the general public to fight fires, its about using the equipment to help you to get out safe. Nearly all local fire stations have open days and will happily show the general public how to tackle a kitchen blaze ie a pan on fire with a fire blanket, I have never once heard them say, leave the pan blazing until it turns into a full scale house fire.:eek:

[mind the gap]

Confusing advice. If it is 'not law that you have to have them', how come 'all HMOs have to have' a fire extinguisher on each landing?

We have a licensed HMO, we comply with all fire regs and we do not have to have a fire extinguisher on each landing. Nor was there any mention of it in the H & S /fire prevention/protection requirements when we applied for our HMO licence.

[jeffrey]

Confusing advice. If it is 'not law that you have to have them', how come 'all HMOs have to have' a fire extinguisher on each landing?
Must be more of them there 'guidelines'. Is there an HMO-FT?

[red40]

Councils and fire and rescue authorities should develop local guidance on this point.

I agree with MTG that many councils dont ask for extinguishers for licensable HMO's as the risk of vandalism, theft and horseplay is far higher in bedsits, etc due to the nature of the clientele.

I have no problems with a small multi-purpose extinguisher located within a kitchen, as its a high risk room, but communal ones in bedsits as far as I am concerned is a no go. But HMO's don't have to have them, its all about risk assessment and if you have a fully operational smoke detection system, emergency lighting, good seperation of the means of escape then that would be adequate for the purposes of any fire risk assessment under the RRO.

[mind the gap]

Councils and fire and rescue authorities should develop local guidance on this point.

I agree with MTG that many councils dont ask for extinguishers for licensable HMO's as the risk of vandalism, theft and horseplay is far higher in bedsits, etc due to the nature of the clientele.

I have no problems with a small multi-purpose extinguisher located within a kitchen, as its a high risk room, but communal ones in bedsits as far as I am concerned is a no go. But HMO's don't have to have them, its all about risk assessment and if you have a fully operational smoke detection system, emergency lighting, good seperation of the means of escape then that would be adequate for the purposes of any fire risk assessment under the RRO.

Quite. We have one just as you describe, in the kitchen, with a fire blanket wall-mounted next to it. Instructions for use of both items are clearly displayed yet this did not stop one tenant asking us why he would ever need to wrap the extinguisher in a blanket.:confused:

Four A levels at grade A.

[kayak]

Our council doesn't insist on them being present, even in HMO's but they do insist on them being serviced if they are present.

[JK0]

Sounds like another operation of 'The law of unintended consequences.'

There must be other HMO owners who like me would be perfectly happy to buy a fire extinguisher, but draw the line at paying some chancer a fee to go round and look at it every 6 months.

Therefore our HMO's do not have fire extinguishers, or fire alarms either for the same reason.

[kayak]

Therefore our HMO's do not have fire extinguishers, or fire alarms either for the same reason.

I believe the servicing is annually, I think we charge around £25 but I'd need to double check.

I think not having any automatic fire detection system is on very thin ice. I'm going from memory but I believe LACORS state that 'there is no risk low enough not to install any automatic fire detection system'.

Under the HHSRS (HA 2004), Local Authorities have the power to serve formal and informal improvement notices to install and maintain these alarm systems (in accordance with BS5839). The LACORS document recommends what types of system to go in specific properties.

I see fire extinguishers and automatic fire detection systems in very different light.

[bullybantam]

2kg Powder is the most suitable for a kitchen and a fire blanket.



Powder is most suitable for a kitchen, but....

They leave a right mess when used:(

[jeffrey]

Powder is most suitable for a kitchen, but....

They leave a right mess when used
Fire leaves more of a mess, however.