Fire Blankets Come In a Range Of Sizes For Different Applications

We’ve probably all seen a fire blanket in public buildings and even in homes but do you know why they’re useful if there’s a fire?

Fire blankets come in a variety of sizes, each size is best suited to a certain application.

• Small fire blankets, e.g. 1m by 1m, are a good size to keep at home in the kitchen and can be used to extinguish small fires that may occur when cooking. Ideal situations include chip pan or grill fires.
• Large fire blankets can be used in places like laboratories and are ideal for extinguishing small chemical fires or fires caused by machinery.

Fire blankets are made of fire retardant material and are usually only suitable for one use as the efficacy of the blanket will probably be reduced when exposed to fire. Materials that are commonly used for fire blankets are fibreglass, kevlar and wool coated in a fire retardant liquid.

For a fire to burn effectively it must have three sources – heat, fuel and oxygen. Removing one or more of these fire sources will cause the fire to extinguish. For example, when the fire service sprays water onto a burning building they are trying to cool the burning materials (the fuel) so they don’t burn as easily. Some fire extinguishers spray foam over a fire and this prevents oxygen in the air from reaching the fuel and heat. Fire blankets work on the same principal, when you cover a fire with a fire blanket you are preventing air from getting to the fire thus removing the oxygen element and extinguishing the fire.

Fire blankets are suitable to use when the fire is still small and manageable and only if you are confident enough to use them. Extinguishing a fire as early as possible can save thousands of pounds worth of damage and even lives. However, if you think the fire may be too large and you might risk harming yourself call the fire service immediately and raise the fire alarm if you have not already done so.

Discount Fire Supplies sell fire blankets in a range of sizes as well as fire extinguishers.

Ignoring Fire Safety Legislation Cost This Takeaway Over £24,000

A takeaway restaurant in Chester has been fined more than £24,000 after pleading guilty series of fire safety rules.

The owners of Buffet City, located in Chester, admitted committing six offences that put staff sleeping on the premises in danger if a fire was to break out on site.

At Chester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 17 January the takeaway proprietors were found guilty of the following offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005:

1. not having a working fire alarm;
2. failing to undertake a fire risk assessment;
3. not providing a fire exit that could be used in an emergency without a key;
4. storing combustibles on the means of escape;
5. no working escape lighting;
6. failing to plan and have appropriate procedures.

In addition to the fines that were served court costs payable exceeded £4,000.

A spokesperson for the local fire and rescue service in Cheshire expressed the service’s determination to take fire offences such as these seriously:

“This was an extremely serious case of a business putting the lives of their staff at considerable risk from fire. Staff sleeping in a workplace must be able to escape safely in the event of a fire.

“We are determined to protect the lives of those living and working across Cheshire and so we will continue to take action when businesses, large or small, do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously.”

Discount Fire Supplies sells a range of fire equipment that could have prevented the owners of this takeaway receiving such a hefty fine. Visit our online shop to see our range of fire alarms and accessories.

When did you last test your smoke alarm?

Following a fatal fire in Freckleton, Lancashire, fire services have seen an overwhelming response to smoke alarm awareness activities.

On 7th January 2012, 4 children were killed in a fire at their home in Freckleton, Lancashire including four-year-old twins. It has since emerged that the house did have smoke alarms installed but they were not working. The tragedy of this fire and the fact that the loss of life could have been prevented if the smoke alarms in the home were working prompted Lancashire Fire Service to carry out a day of local smoke alarm promotion.

During the day they carried out over 10,000 smoke alarm and fire safety checks in the community. Activities also included giving away free smoke alarms at local Fire Stations and maintaining a presence at supermarkets, shopping centres and football grounds.

The success of this day will hopefully save many lives in the future.

Are your smoke alarms working? It is important to test them regularly, some authorities recommend testing smoke alarms at least once a week, to ensure they are working. If your smoke alarm needs batteries, these should be changed once a year without fail, usually on a memorable date.

Discount Fire Supplies has a range of domestic smoke alarms, including 1-year and 10-year life options.

Take A Carbon Monoxide Detector With You On Holiday

A new initiative has been started in Cornwall to encourage campsite and caravan park owners to sign up to a carbon monoxide awareness register.

Owners who sign up to the register will receive information packs on the dangers of carbon monoxide as well as portable carbon monoxide detectors for their customers to use. They will also receive posters and leaflets to educate guests and generally make carbon monoxide something people consider a lot more seriously.

Carbon monoxide (or CO2) is an odourless poisonous gas that’s created when fuel does not burn properly. When exposed to this gas humans, and pets too, may experience feelings of nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Prolonged exposure can even be fatal.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have been working with Carbon Monoxide Awareness to make holiday site owners aware of carbon monoxide poisoning in response to several cases of CO2 poisoning in the area – particularly an occasion when a number of holidaymakers were hospitalised after taking a smouldering BBQ into their tent. The fumes from the BBQ, which hadn’t been fully extinguished, contained carbon monoxide which made those involved in the incident very ill.

Unfortunately it’s not guaranteed that every holiday site you visit will have a carbon monoxide detector for you to use. Whether you’ll be holidaying in Cornwall, elsewhere in the UK or abroad this year it’s a great idea to buy your own portable carbon monoxide detector to protect you and your family.

Carbon monoxide detectors are small, light and can be easily packed to take anywhere in the world. They’re very similar to a smoke detector in design and operation whereby if the unit detects CO2 a very loud alarm will sound.

When you’re at home you can keep it near the boiler or gas hob to detect any harmful fumes and if you’re going on holiday you can simply pack it your bag and keep it in your hotel room or tent. In fact, we think a carbon monoxide detector should be as essential as your sun-cream!

Discount Fire Supplies sells a range of affordable carbon monoxide detectors.

Electrical Fire Safety Week 23-29 January 2012

Electrical Fire Safety Week is a joint initiative between Fire Kills and Fire Authorities around the country. A week of heightened publicity about the dangers of electrical fire will take place next week over January 23rd – 29th 2012.

In colder weather you might have more electrical items like space heaters and electric blankets in use so it’s especially important to be aware of the dangers of electrical fire at this time of year.

In 2010/2011 half of the accidental house fires in the UK were caused by faulty or misused electrical equipment and 40 deaths were caused by electrical fires in the same period.

Electrical fires have many causes, including faulty electrical items, poorly wired plugs and old wiring.

You can be more aware of the dangers of electrical fires by looking for tell-tale signs that the appliance in question could be faulty. Signs that an electrical appliance could be faulty include overheating, an unusual smell, sparks and intermittent working order. You may even see scorch marks on plugs and sockets.

You can also help to prevent electrical fires by taking some simple fire safety precautions:

• don’t overload plug sockets
• regularly check for worn or frayed wires
• unplug appliances when they’re not in use
• keep appliances clean and service them regularly
• keep water and items like wet clothes away from electrical items

If a fire does start in your home or office it is important that it is caught early to prevent it spreading and causing serious harm and damage. In the home you should test your smoke alarms and heat detectors regularly to make sure they’re working optimally. In the workplace there should be a fire alarm system in place to detect fire, for your own peace of mind you could ask your employer or the person responsible for the system how often the fire alarm system is tested.

According to the British fire alarm system standard BS5839 what is a manual call point and where should they be installed?

If you need assistance choosing the right BS5839 fire alarm system feel free browse the range of fire alarm products we supply or call us on 01792 452 700.

A responsible person should perform your Fire Risk Assessment.

Many fires on business property, like factories and construction sites, could be prevented annually if businesses carried out more effective fire risk assessments.

A fire risk assessment is designed to highlight the failings of a property when it comes to fire safety. This document, when completed properly, will identify areas for improvement so that a business can take any necessary actions to ensure the property is safe for everyone using it.

It’s tempting to whizz through the fire risk assessment so that you can just get on with running your business but, as we’ve documented on this blog several times, the law takes a harsh view of employers who put employees and members of the public at risk of fire.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Act 2005 will tell you everything you need to know about fire safety in the workplace or public premises but we’ve put together a brief guide on things you could take into account when performing or reviewing a fire risk assessment.

Who Should Perform A Fire Risk Assessment?

• A responsible person should perform the Fire Risk Assessment. This is usually the building owner or employer.
• The responsible person should familiarise themselves with the appropriate Fire Safety Guides. These are provided by the government and are designed to assist you in performing a Fire Risk Assessment for a variety of applications.

What Should The Assessor Consider?

• Identify Hazards: This includes any flammable items that could be a source of ignition for a fire including fuel, oxygen, electricity and the possibility of arson.
• Identify People At Risk: This includes people who work in the building, people who may visit the premises and members of the public. Also identify if there are any high-risk personnel such as disabled people and people who aren’t familiar with the building or site.
• Evaluate & Protect: Can you improve the way the hazards you’ve identified are stored or used? Can you put provisions in place to protect vulnerable workers or visitors? If a fire does start, are your fire alarm and emergency lighting systems safe and suitable?
• Remove & Reduce: Can you reduce risk by having machinery and electrical systems tested and serviced more regularly? Can you remove potential fire hazards by having waste collected more frequently?

These are just a few points to consider. It is important that if you are ever in any doubt about your fire risk assessment that you contact your local fire service.

You can even employ the services of a specialist risk management company to perform the fire risk assessment for you and make recommendations on how to improve your property’s fire safety.

Discount Fire Supplies stocks a wide range of fire equipment such as emergency lighting, fire alarm system components and gas detectors to help you meet fire safety requirements.

Thermostat Protectors Are Now Available In A Range Of Sizes

A range of Safety Technology International thermostat protectors are now available to purchase at discountfiresupplies.co.uk.

A thermostat protector (or cover) may be a necessary purchase if you have ever experienced vandalism on your property or you have located thermostats or similar devices in a public place. The cover will protect your device from unwanted attention and malicious intent but won’t inhibit the operating functions of the thermostat.

STI thermostat covers are made from high-quality, durable moulded polycarbonate that can withstand attack or accidental damage. Two of the thermostat covers we are now stocking have key locks while another has a frangible lock.

Air holes in the frame of the thermostat case allow air to circulate freely around the thermostat so that you can be assured your thermostat is responding correctly to changes in temperature.

Each thermostat protector also comes with an installation kit for flush mounting.

We have three sizes of thermostat cover in stock:

• Small Thermostat Protector With Lock
• Medium Thermostat Protector With Key Lock
• Large Thermostat Protector With Key Lock

We’re sure that you’ll be able to select the right size of thermostat protector for your application, see the full range on our website in the Thermostat Covers category.

Former Lord Mayer Fined £4,000 For Fire Safety Breaches

Former Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Mohammed Munir, has recently been found guilty of fire safety breaches relating to his quilt manufacturing factory and sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.

Fire protection officers from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service initially visited the premises after concerns were raised about its safety by fire crews.

Officers identified a number of key areas for improvement and issued an enforcement notice to Mr Munir outlining what steps must be taken to make the building safe for employees.

Officers visited the factory on further occasions to see what progress was being made and to assist the owner, Mr Munir, in making the building fire safe. In addition to spending time with the defendant explaining his duties, extra time was granted to allow Mr Munir to effectively comply with the enforcement notice.

When it became apparent that Mr Munir had not met the deadline set by the fire service and continued to endanger his employees the prosecution process was initiated.

Mr Munir was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday 4th January. He pleaded guilty to six offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, these offences included:

• failing to carry out a sufficient risk assessment of the building
• failing to comply with an enforcement order
• failing to provide an effective means of escape from the premises
• failing to ensure that exit routes were clear at all times
• failing to provide adequate emergency lighting along escape routes and exits
• failing to ensure fire-fighting equipment was accessible

Magistrates sentenced Mr Munir to 26 weeks imprisonment (suspended for 2 years) and also ordered him to pay £4000 costs and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

It could be surmised that this sentence may have been more lenient if the lives of employees had not been so carelessly put at risk for such a length of time.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Fire Service expressed regret that the case had to go this far after officers took time to make sure Mr Munir knew what was expected of him and what he had to do to meet requirements.

Be Fire Safe In 2012

The Discount Fire Supplies team is now back in the office after a brilliant Christmas and New Year. We hope you had a great time this holiday season too and we wish you all the best for 2012!

Even when we’re not in the office we like to keep up to date with the fire industry and any fire stories that make the news. Over the festive period there were a number of stories that caught our eye:

Unsafe Christmas Lights At Nelson Mandela House

A tower block in Bristol, which was famously used in the comedy series Only Fools and Horses, puts up Christmas lights every year to get residents in the festive spirit. However, this year the council had to intervene in the interests of fire safety.

Internal wall sockets had been overloaded, an external socket had been left exposed to the elements and lights had been wired directly into a ceiling circuit without a circuit breaker.

Each issue here could have caused a fire and when combined the chances of accidental fire are much higher. This story reminds us that it’s really important to have lighting displays installed by a qualified electrician to help prevent fires.

Christmas Day Fire Leaves Family Homeless

A family home in Belfast was gutted by fire at lunch time on Christmas day. Luckily the family, a young mother and her six children, were visiting relatives at the time of the fire but all of their possessions, including all of the children’s Christmas presents, were destroyed.

The fire is thought to have been caused by a faulty kitchen appliance and neighbours were alerted to the fire when they heard the smoke alarm and saw smoke seeping out from under the door.

The local community has rallied round the family and are fundraising to help get the family back on their feet.

Pembroke Dock Fireworks Cause Blaze

Stray fireworks from a New Year’s Eve display at Pembroke Dock are likely to be the cause of a fire that spread over 3 nearby houses.

A witness saw the offending firework land in the eaves of one house and it is thought that the fire then took hold in the roof space. Luckily the homeowners were not inside the building as there was considerable heat and smoke damage.

Fireworks displays, whether they are organised by a council or neighbours, should always be well organised and closely observed to help prevent fires like this.