Fire safety and protection are important in the home, business or in heavy industry and mining. All premises should be equipped with warning devices in the form of fire and smoke alarms, as well as fire extinguishers, fire blankets and, in the case of industry, other fire fighting and fire prevention equipment.
Let’s take a closer look at fire extinguishers, blankets and other equipment to learn more about them and to increase your awareness of fire safety.
To discover more about fire safety, it’s a good idea to get in touch with the fire safety and prevention service. The quickest way to find one near you is to search online for your area – “Fire protection services Brisbane” is an example.
Table of Contents
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are one of the most common pieces of equipment when it comes to fire safety. It’s often the fire extinguisher that is used first when a fire breaks out. If a small fire is attended to quickly and doused with a fire extinguisher, it will prevent the fire from spreading and becoming an all-consuming blaze.
While portable fire extinguishers are designed to be quick and easy to use, receiving training in the proper and most effective use of a fire extinguisher is important. For example, the nozzle of the fire extinguisher should direct the ejected fluid at the fire’s fuel source to extinguish it quickly, rather than merely spraying fluid all over the top of the flames.
There Are Also Different Types Of Fire Extinguishers For Different Fires. Let’s Briefly Look At The Different Classes Of Fire:
- Class A: Combustible Materials Such As Paper Or Wood.
- Class B: Combustible And Flammable Liquids Such As Paint.
- Class C: Flammable Gasses.
- Class D: Flammable Metals Such As Magnesium.
- Class E: Electrical Fires.
- Class F: Combustible Cooking Oils And Fats.
In Australia, there are different types of fire extinguishers for the 6 different classes of fire, so it’s important to use the right fire extinguisher or you could make the fire worse rather than extinguishing it.
Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are typically made from woven glass fibre fabric and contain a layer of fire-retardant material. The main role of the fire blanket is to cut off the oxygen supply to a small fire before it gets out of control. Fire blankets are extremely effective in extinguishing a small blaze almost instantaneously.
Common in commercial environments, especially commercial kitchens, fire blankets are often the preferred choice over a fire extinguisher when something like a pot or frying pan catches on fire. While a fire extinguisher makes a mess, a fire blanket does not. Fire blankets for commercial kitchens are designed for Class F fires.
There are also fire blankets designed for people. If someone’s clothing catches fire, it can be wrapped in a fire blanket. Once the affected person has been wrapped, they then need to drop to the ground and roll to extinguish the flames. Personal fire blankets can prove to be the difference between sustaining only minor injuries as compared to receiving third-degree burns.
Other Fire Safety Equipment
Another piece of equipment that you’ll find in most apartment buildings and commercial buildings is the fire axe, usually encased within a glass cabinet. While a fire axe isn’t going to put out a fire, it does have several very important uses. If you’re trapped in a room or some others are trapped in a room, the fire axe can be used to break open doors and smash windows. The fire axe could prove to be the difference between life and death in extreme circumstances, so it’s a very important piece of kit.
Many buildings are equipped with fire hoses coiled up inside a cupboard and ready to unleash. The fire hose is useful for blazes that have gone beyond what a fire extinguisher can handle. With a fire hose blasting a constant jet of water, it can even be used to save the lives of people trapped by creating a safe passage and even wetting down evacuees to keep them protected from the heat and flames.
The Wrap
The equipment mentioned above is some of the most common fire safety equipment you’ll find in residential and commercial buildings. Ensuring your business is equipped with these is a simple way to protect the premises and staff from fire dangers.
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