Author Topic: Extinguishers in blocks of flats  (Read 14576 times)

Offline woody5746

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Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« on: December 30, 2010, 03:32:10 PM »
Is their a particular standard or number of extinguishers that are required in residential flats? i was in a 7 storey block the other day and although there was a riser and reel there were no extinguishers to be seen yet i have seen them in other blocks i have visited?

Offline nearlythere

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2010, 03:35:22 PM »
Woody. If you placed extinguishers in the common areas of blocks of flats how long would they last?
We're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland.

Offline woody5746

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2010, 03:38:10 PM »
whoops there's me forgetting not everyone is as respectful of property.... however this was quite a smart small block, whilst i admit no point putting them in basra i would ask if anyone knows if there is any legislation regarding this?

Offline Dinnertime Dave

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2010, 03:47:49 PM »

The provision of firefighting equipment should be assessed via the fire risk assessment. however, should you choose to provide them i would ask who you are providing them for? the old BS5588:pt12 questioned the reasons for providing extinguishers in sheltered housing schemes.

Offline nearlythere

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2010, 04:42:20 PM »
This matter was discussed at length at one time and maybe someone who keeps an index of the Forum topics might be able to point you to it.
We're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland.

Offline colin todd

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2010, 12:05:04 AM »
If its a purpose built block of flats, forget it, they are not required.
Colin Todd, C S Todd & Associates

Offline AnthonyB

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2010, 01:25:24 AM »
As CT says, not needed. No legal requirement, no risk (or there shouldn't be), no trained users, risk of theft and vandalism. If the occupiers want to buy themselves one from B&Q that's up to them.

The only people who say you need them are often those who are also selling them, or people who don't really know what they are on about.

In the years I've been doing this job extinguishers are starting to appear to stupid levels in the wrong places, in too many numbers and inappropriate types and I'm actually requiring more to be ripped out than put in these days. My clients need to target their money at training, passive FP and fire detection and warning not loads of extinguishers that serve no purpose than making someone money.

And I am very pro extinguishers usually, but it's getting beyond a joke now, too many suppliers doing 'risk assessments' to try and sell as many extinguishers, blankets and glow in the dark signs as they can (& still they get it wrong, I've seen firms happily put water & CO2 extinguishers on plain concrete unfurnished, undecorated, unused except to evacuate, fire stairs, yet try and cover a 45 litre cooking oil fryer with a blanket and ABC Powder extinguisher!)
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Offline nearlythere

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2010, 07:33:33 AM »
As CT says, not needed. No legal requirement, no risk (or there shouldn't be), no trained users, risk of theft and vandalism. If the occupiers want to buy themselves one from B&Q that's up to them.

The only people who say you need them are often those who are also selling them, or people who don't really know what they are on about.

In the years I've been doing this job extinguishers are starting to appear to stupid levels in the wrong places, in too many numbers and inappropriate types and I'm actually requiring more to be ripped out than put in these days. My clients need to target their money at training, passive FP and fire detection and warning not loads of extinguishers that serve no purpose than making someone money.

And I am very pro extinguishers usually, but it's getting beyond a joke now, too many suppliers doing 'risk assessments' to try and sell as many extinguishers, blankets and glow in the dark signs as they can (& still they get it wrong, I've seen firms happily put water & CO2 extinguishers on plain concrete unfurnished, undecorated, unused except to evacuate, fire stairs, yet try and cover a 45 litre cooking oil fryer with a blanket and ABC Powder extinguisher!)
It's the powders still being placed in kitchens that gets me.
We're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland.

Offline fireftrm

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2010, 08:18:46 PM »
Also, whatever the occupancy (unless you need Class B cover) then a hosereel is entirely suitable, indeed better than an extinguisher
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Offline kurnal

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2011, 07:37:56 AM »
Also, whatever the occupancy (unless you need Class B cover) then a hosereel is entirely suitable, indeed better than an extinguisher

In the hands of a trained firefighter a hosereel is no doubt better than an extinguisher.
But for use by the public or employees they also bring numerous disadvantages which outweigh any potential benefits arising from an inexhaustible supply of water.

Offline fireftrm

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #10 on: January 01, 2011, 12:32:17 PM »
.........as does an extinguisher.
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Offline kurnal

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #11 on: January 01, 2011, 12:35:41 PM »
A recent survey by the FIA indicates that 89% of all fires are put out using portable extinguishers - theres a lot to be said for first aid firefighting  and extinguishers are clearly doing a good job in that respect. However its horses for courses.

Offline fireftrm

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2011, 06:24:08 PM »
Another recent survey, by the Statistical Institute found that 85% of people do not believe statistics and that 70% are made up.
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Offline Mike Buckley

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #13 on: January 01, 2011, 06:28:09 PM »
To quote G. K. Chesterton " There are lies, damned lies and then there are statistics".
The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it.

Offline kurnal

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Re: Extinguishers in blocks of flats
« Reply #14 on: January 01, 2011, 06:54:20 PM »
Heres the data on which the press release was based.Haven't done the arithmetic myself.

http://www.fia.uk.com/fia/filemanager/root/site_assets/news/others/pfe_questionnaire_data_2009_all_fia_data_141209.xls

 
Prejudices subsist in people's imagination long after they have been destroyed by their experience.  (Ernest Dimnet)

« Last Edit: January 01, 2011, 06:58:42 PM by kurnal »