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Why It's Important To Have UK Approved Fire Extinguishers In Your UK Home

Written by Posted On Thursday, 05 December 2019 16:36
Why It's Important To Have UK Approved Fire Extinguishers In Your UK Home

According to statistics, deaths related to fire accidents in England has reached 334 since November 2010, the worst being the Grenfell Tower fire, which took the lives of 72 people. Between 2016 and 2017, fire-related fatalities increased from 263 to 334, and the majority of those occurred in single occupancy dwellings, such as flats, maisonettes, and houses.

It's important to always be ready with a fire extinguisher as well as equip you and your family with the right knowledge and skills on how to use it. Below are the important benefits of having UK approved fire extinguishers at home.

 

Keep Your Family Safe from Fire Incidents

By investing in a reliable fire extinguisher, you can safeguard your family from fire incidents. Of course, you should make certain that the fire extinguisher meets the UK standards to ensure that it will not malfunction or fail the moment you need to use it.

There are different types of fire extinguishers, and the most common ones, which are used in resolving electrical fires such as in residential areas, are CO2 fire extinguishers. The UK fire extinguisher regulations state that all properties with electrical equipment should have CO2 fire extinguishers (at least 2 kilograms).

But, which parts of the house necessitate fire extinguishers?

  • Kitchen: It's an area that involves grease, and remember that many home fires start in the kitchen.
  • On Each Floor: Mount a fire extinguisher on the wall of every floor, about four feet above the ground, and in a central location.
  • Garage and Workshop: These areas store flammable materials, such as gasoline, paint, oil, and solvents.
  • Other Parts of the House: Laundry area, patio and grill, bedrooms, fireplaces, and other sources of heat

 

Comply with Government Laws

There is no existing fire safety legislation just as yet that cover the domestic use of fire extinguishers. However, every homeowner is responsible for looking after the safety of the family. Maisonettes and flats are under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. If your home has been converted into other uses, such as a residential home, a halfway house, or a house with multiple occupations, it is subjected to fire safety legislation.

All domestic properties must comply with building regulations, including Part B and building codes of practice dealing with all fire safety measures. A builder can use the approved document, which explains the requirements that can be achieved, as stated in part B. However, as soon as the house is built, it is the responsibility of the head of the household to ensure that fire safety features are properly installed and maintained.

Here's a list of priority considerations when it comes to home fire safety based on the UK fire safety legislation:

  • Your first consideration should be creating a fire escape combined with proper placement of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
  • Keep in mind that any furniture is considered fire retardant, so before buying one, make sure that it meets furniture regulations.
  • Remove any highly flammable surfaces, such as polystyrene tiles and flock wallpaper.
  • Your electric wiring system should be regularly inspected by a licensed electrician to decrease fire hazard.
  • Ensure that you have ashtrays available in smoking areas of the house if you have family members who smoke. All content should be cleaned and thrown at the end of the day.
  • Never dry wash open fires. They must be protected using fireguards.
  • For kitchen fire safety, don't leave frying pans unattended if they are used.

 

shutterstock 762118324

 

Topmost Priority: High-quality Fire Extinguisher

It's important to have a high-quality fire extinguisher so you’re assured that it will do its job once a fire emergency arises. That's why you have to choose the UK approved fire extinguishers. Aside from investing in premium-quality fire extinguishers, it is also imperative to comply with annual servicing and maintenance requirements.

Every year, fire extinguishers in the United Kingdom need servicing to verify that it's still working and will be helpful during a fire accident. It's important for the UK approved fire extinguisher to meet the regulations.

Here are some important things you need to look for in a fire extinguisher to make sure that it has been serviced to UK regulations:

  • There's a label on the fire extinguisher (current year) that certifies that it has already been serviced. It also shows the due date of the next service.
  • The service label records the outcome of the recent service, such as the basic service received, or if it needs to be refilled or replaced.
  • There should be an “anti-tamper tag” to help prevent the pin of the fire extinguisher from being accidentally pulled out. But, there are also some designs that come with plastic pins, which must be replaced every year.
  • Also, look for the “O-Ring” to ensure that your fire extinguisher has an airtight seal.

 

Conclusion

It's crucial to have a UK approved fire extinguisher in every UK home because an Englishman is responsible and prioritizes the safety of his family. Expect a high-quality fire extinguisher if it is UK approved. Don't forget to check the labels and essential features of a premium quality fire extinguisher so you will not waste money buying a cheap and defective fire extinguisher that will fail you in case of fire emergencies.

 

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Elena Tahora

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