Firex 2016

[Messy]

I have survived the first day of Firex

I particularly enjoyed some lively debate at one of the lectures. I found it very useful CPD wise, after all, nobody is ever too old to learn are they?

Anyone else attending this year??

[Fishy]

I have survived the first day of Firex

I particularly enjoyed some lively debate at one of the lectures. I found it very useful CPD wise, after all, nobody is ever too old to learn are they?

Anyone else attending this year??

Tomorrow, Southern Railway permitting!!!  I usually  find that it's an opportunity to renew acquaintance with at least one person that I've not seen for years, so it's a good networking opportunity.  Most of the stands are of no interest to me (I don't buy fire alarms or welly boots)!

[wee brian]

I'll be having a wander around today (wed 22).

[Messy]

I had a good couple of days at Firex and am particularly interested in two products that I hadn't seen before:

> Fire Pro suppression systems http://firepro.com/en/fire-suppression-technology

I am more than a little concerned re the toxicity and health implications of this product and need to look into this further, but it may be a useful solution for some critical power distribution cabinets and generator rooms across our estate

> The Commander Edge 3 litre foam. I can't find it on their website which is a shame, but this small 3 litre unit has the same fire rating for class A fires as it's 9 litre big brother (13A), plus 89B (compared to a 144B of the 6 l foam) and throws in a 40F rating too!

OK, the performance is not as good as the 6l AFFF, but for less cost and a reduce manual handling risk, I am considering this extinguisher for a low to medium (admin) areas


I would welcome any views on the above products - Thanks

[kurnal]

The only possible issue with  small extinguishers is their duration of discharge is usually limited and this may be a factor in untrained hands. Often people do not accurately predict the range and throw of the extinguisher and waste valuable time and content before they get the hang of it.

[colin todd]

I already attended, Davey, and you didn't as much as buy me a coffee.  I am mortally wounded and may never again reply to your posts.

[Messy]

I already attended, Davey, and you didn't as much as buy me a coffee.  I am mortally wounded and may never again reply to your posts.

That's not fair Colin. I intentionally sat at the front in order to be first to catch you at the end of the presentation, but I couldn't get near you as I was pushed aside by members of the CT Fan Club (recently merged with  the CT hecklers Club) who were excitedly waving their autograph books and photocopies of Article 2.

I was even waiting to ask a question that challenged the assumption by your fellow panel member Mr Jack and his graphs that the huge reduction in deaths and fires were due to a combination of the WP Regs, Furnishing Regs and FSO. I wanted to just remind him and the panel of the significant work done by fire crews in community fire safety in recent years, and dare to suggest it was this work that accounted for the lion's share of the reduction successes.

Sadly, the loud continuous noise from Mr Risk, the chair of the CT Heckler's Club, took up most of the Q&A time, so I was unable to introduce myself to you that way.

For the record , it pains me to agree with a considerable amount of what you said in terms of competence and training of risk assessors and enforcers - and if you had looked closely, I was smiling and nodding agreement with you.

So don't write off our friendship just yet, and just so I know for next time, are you an americano or latte man?

[kurnal]

Messy CTs only preference is that someone else should pay.

[AnthonyB]

13A 89B rated 3 litre foams have been around for well over a decade although it's only recently that Class F has been added as well - I'm guessing it's the Multichem range you refer to. TG Products also produce a 3 litre ABF model in their Gloria range and FireDepot also produce a 3 litre ABF model in their FireMax range.

Interestingly most manufacturers mark their ABF extinguisher as Wet Chemical in Canary Yellow, others as Foam in cream and yet others don't bother to get a B rating on their Wet Chemicals (even though they could) which can be very confusing especially when over a period of time a site or estate/chain mixes brands due to changes in service provider.

If they would mark them for electrical use as well you'd have a decent all rounder that's cheaper than Water Mist and with a better B rating.

Anything that simplifies things for users is good - instead of fire points with several types of extinguisher I try to use a single type (usually meaning having to use UK made Britannia extinguishers)

The shorter duration isn't really an issue - the minimal level of extinguisher training these days is such that if they can't put it out in 15-20 seconds they should be leaving it to the Brigade anyway

[Fishy]

I had a good couple of days at Firex and am particularly interested in two products that I hadn't seen before:

> Fire Pro suppression systems http://firepro.com/en/fire-suppression-technology

I am more than a little concerned re the toxicity and health implications of this product and need to look into this further, but it may be a useful solution for some critical power distribution cabinets and generator rooms across our estate
I would welcome any views on the above products - Thanks

Others will know for sure, but is this the same technology as caused all those deaths in Bangkok?
http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/14/eight-suffocated-to-death-after-fire-extinguisher-is-set-off-accidentally-5750357/

[Messy]

Thanks to all for the information.

I intend to research the 3l extinguishers further as it seems to make business and common sense to replace the many 100s of extinguishers we have with a smaller, lighter and cheaper version.

Why wouldn't we? In fact, why aren't these extinguishers commonplace??

[kurnal]

Doesn't it only make sense to replace them when they are due for discharge or replacement? The 3 L size is not so much cheaper as to make it economic to replace extinguishers that still have life in them?

[AnthonyB]

Thanks to all for the information.

I intend to research the 3l extinguishers further as it seems to make business and common sense to replace the many 100s of extinguishers we have with a smaller, lighter and cheaper version.

Why wouldn't we? In fact, why aren't these extinguishers commonplace??

It's a good question, I don't see why people still put in 9 litre plain water jet extinguishers anymore except for specific risks - the modern mixed risk environment with vast amounts of electrical equipment and the increasing trend towards reducing manual handling and making things easier to lift means that 3 & 6 litre spray extinguishers (be it plain water, water mist, water additive, AB or ABF foam) should be the standard

[AnthonyB]

I had a good couple of days at Firex and am particularly interested in two products that I hadn't seen before:

> Fire Pro suppression systems http://firepro.com/en/fire-suppression-technology

I am more than a little concerned re the toxicity and health implications of this product and need to look into this further, but it may be a useful solution for some critical power distribution cabinets and generator rooms across our estate
I would welcome any views on the above products - Thanks

Others will know for sure, but is this the same technology as caused all those deaths in Bangkok?
http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/14/eight-suffocated-to-death-after-fire-extinguisher-is-set-off-accidentally-5750357/

Similar technology, I've seen it used in transformer rooms at one site although I've had to warn the site to treat them in the same way as when they had the CO2 systems in - at least with clean agent systems you are supposed to be able to survive a discharge

[colin todd]

Davey,  I was inclined to explain to Mr Risk that all you will find in A2 is tautology as it defines risk by using the word risk.  I had always considered it was merely pointing out that the FSO was only concerned with life.  But then I thought that there was not enough time to explain the meaning of tautology.  I still dont see how any of this precluded you from buying me a coffee.  You remain absent from my Xmas card list.