Extinguishers news

USFA release two special reports regarding heating fires and portable heater fires in residential buildings The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has announced the release of two special reports regarding heating fires and portable heater fires in residential buildings. An estimated average of 54,500 heating fires in residential buildings occurs each year in the United States. Annually, these fires are responsible for an estimated 190 civilian fire deaths, 625 civili...

"Take care in the kitchen" is the message from KFRS after a spate of fires in the Swale area "Take care in the kitchen" is the message from Kent Fire and Rescue Service after a spate of fires in the Swale area over the weekend. Two Sheppey appliances were sent to a fire at Clarence Row in Sheerness at 7.47pm on Sunday evening (24 January) after a cooker was left on and caused fat residues to ignite. The room was left smoke damaged. Meanwhile, Sittingbourne crews were tackl...

KFRS crews are advising residents to use smoke alarms after a man sustained burns at a house fire Firefighters are warning householders to cook with safety in mind following a fire in Minster, Ramsgate. Crews are advising residents to fit a working smoke alarm after a man sustained burns following a fire in his home in Way Hill, Minster. It is believed that the occupant, in his late fifties, fell asleep while using a chip pan, which caught fire shortly afterwards...

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Jill Halfpenny have launched the 'Fire Kills Campaign' Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with celebrity, Jill Halfpenny, to launch the latest 'Fire Kills Campaign' from the Department of Communities and Local Government. As part of the London launch of the national 'Don't Drown in Toxic Smoke' campaign, Jill Halfpenny, was placed in a simulation unit provided by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. She then exp...

The FIA encourages formal involvement from Government (CLG), CFRAU and CFOA The FIA set up a Fire Risk Assessment Council in November 2008 and invited any company/organization who 'trades' by providing Fire Risk Assessments, on a commercial basis, to join the association as a member. This step was taken as its current members were reporting that there was a diverse range of 'Fire Risk Assessors' in the market. These organizations were offering very differen...

Over 1 in 3 fatal house fires are started by cigarettes or other smoking materials The London Fire Brigade has warned against the fire risks associated with cigarettes and alcohol.In January, many people start thinking about New Year's resolutions, and, in a bid to become more healthy many give up smoking and drinking. However, most people don't realise that by cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol they will also reduce the chance of having a fire in their home. Londo...

Over one-quarter of residential fires result from improper maintenance of equipment Heating is one of the leading causes of residential fires. The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities has caused many Americans to search for alternative home heating sources such as wood burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces. Over one-quarter of these fires result from improper maintenance of equipment, specifically the failure to clean the equipment. Carbon monoxide...

London's firefighters are reminding you to take great care in your home  With forecasters predicting the coldest winter for 100 years, London's firefighters are reminding people to take great care in their homes during the big freeze. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner for Community Safety, Andy Hickmott, said: "When the temperature drops and it's freezing outside, the chance of you having a house fire increases. Sadly, you're also more likely to die...

  The scheme is designed to help companies obtain BAFE accreditation The FIA's 'Route to Certification' scheme is being officially launched in 2010 following a successful trial in 2009.Companies involved in the manufacture, supply or maintenance of portable fire extinguishers can receive assistance in securing membership of theFire Industry Association (FIA) and, in doing so, gain ISO 9001 registration and third party certification for their technicians. This scheme...

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has been praised for making Shropshire safer Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has been praised by an independent watchdog for making the county one of the safest in the UK with fires at a record low. Property fires are down, arson is "greatly reducing," businesses are safer with blazes also down and car fires cut, said the report from the Audit Commission's "Oneplace" which gives an independent overview of public services. "The...

The pioneering campaign won the Partnership Initiative of the Year prize at the SHP IOSH Awards The pioneering campaign included an online viral marketing presentation with a James Bond theme and a dramatic reconstruction of a fire in a student flat.The campaign won the 'Partnership Initiative of the Year' prize at the SHP IOSH Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions in the world of health and safety. The initiative was described by judges as 'a subtle, yet h...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging premises managers to review their fire safety procedures Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging managers of licensed establishments to review their fire safety measures to ensure compliance with fire safety law. The measure comes in the aftermath of a disastrous fire in Russia and a smaller restaurant fire in Swansea and the successful prosecution of a local nightclub owner. In the run up to Christmas and...

Drinking large amounts of alcohol and cooking is a "dangerous cocktail" at Christmas Drinking large amounts of alcohol and cooking is a "dangerous cocktail" at Christmas, warn community fire safety officers. Shropshire fire crews have been giving out the message at fire safety events across the county in a bid to prevent house fires during the festive season. "Our message is especially important at Christmas and the New Year as people celebrate and drink small amounts of a...

  Morrisons has installed smoke and gas detection technology from Chubb Fire   Sophisticated smoke and gas detection technology from Chubb Fire is protecting the staff and equipment at Rathbones, the bakery arm of Morrisons supermarket. Chubb Fire is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp (NYSE:UTX). The systems had to be installed without disrupting baking production. Pervez Khan, General Manager of Rathbones (Wakefield and Middlesbr...

London's firefighters have launched a Christmas fire safety campaign The aim of the campaign is to remind people to take care with candles and not to overload plug sockets this Christmas.London's firefighters have launched a Christmas fire safety campaign to remind people of the dangers of house fires over the festive season. The Brigade has just released new figures which show that electrical problems, such as overloaded plug sockets, and candles, cause more house...

Tower blocks or high rise buildings are designed to hold back fire and stop it from spreading Firefighters in London are specially trained to respond to fires in high rise buildings, and are regularly called out to such fires.Following the fire at Lakanal House in Camberwell this year, some reports in the media may have left you confused about what to do if a fire starts in your building. Tower blocks or high rise buildings are designed with walls, ceilings and doors that h...

The aims of this seminar are to alert all sleeping accommodation premises owners The seminar aims to create awareness on the benefits of incorporating fire safety management protection measures. Fires in commercial sleeping accommodation premises, especially those catering for the elderly, infirm or those people not familiar with the building present their own serious hazards. In particular evacuation of the building at night with limited staff may prove difficult especi...

EU countries have now agreed to set a new "fire safer standard" for all cigarettes sold in the union Fires caused by smokers' materials are more likely than other domestic fires to cause death or serious injury. In London it is estimated that around 40 per cent of all fatalities in accidental house fires are caused by smoking materials, while nationally this figure is a third. Throughout 2007 the London Fire Brigade worked as part of the RIP coalition,(Reduced Ign...

LFB is dedicated to ensuring that fireworks are always stored, sold and used in a safe and responsible way Hundreds of people across Britain are injured in incidents involving fireworks each year and more than half of those injured are children.London Fire Brigade is dedicated to ensuring that fireworks are always stored, sold and used in a safe and responsible way, and they work with partner agencies across London in preparation for major events such as Guy Fawkes Night, Di...

  London Fire Brigade has welcomed new government guidance on sprinkler systems for new buildings   The London Fire Brigade has welcomed new government guidance for new buildings with sprinkler systems. The guidance would ensure that new and refurbished school buildings, including those built under the Building Schools for the Future programme, are likely to have sprinkler systems. They will be working to make sure that decision makers and the general public...

  The CFOA president has called for adopting sprinklers as a significant measure to protect life CFOA says that the wider use of sprinklers in domestic, commercial and residential premises will support the environment and save the economy millions of pounds. CFOA President, John Bonney, in his address at the launch of the ABI paper 'Tackling Fire - a call for Action' spoke of the valid and significant contribution sprinklers could and should be making in...

FEMA is excited to announce the second webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series FEMA's second webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series begins December 14. The webinar series provides up-to-date information on community preparedness topics and resources available to citizens, community organizations, and Citizen Corps Councils. This LIVE webinar is scheduled for Monday, December 14th at 2pm EST and will provide information on the Resolve to Be...

FEMA has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared This year Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared. Emergencies can happen at any moment; these gifts can serve as a great starting point to ensure that your friends and family have an emergency communications plan, a disaster supply kit, and stay informed about emergencie...

The FIA has announced the first company to achieve ISO 9001 quality accreditation and BAFE certification Western Isles Fire Protection was formed as a new business in February 2009 by Mark Robb.The company provides fire extinguisher supply, service and maintenance throughout the Western Isles from its base in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Mark, who had successfully achieved registration under the BAFE ST104 Portable Fire Extinguisher Service Technicians Sche...

KFRS has provided tips to protect homes for festive fire safety Kent Fire and Rescue Service urges all residents to stay safe this Christmas, and ensure that the celebrations don't end in tragedy. Latest figures from the Fire Kills campaign show a rise in the number of accidental fire deaths and injuries over the festive period. In 2008 there were 33,000 accidental house fires, 10% of which occurred in the run up to Christmas Day. People often get distracted by...

Two separate incidents of cooking-related fires in Kent have led to two residents being treated for burns Two separate incidents of cooking-related fires in Kent have led to two residents being treated for burns. In both incidents - at Rochester and Tonbridge - the occupants were alerted by working smoke alarms but firefighters are reminding people of the dangers of leaving cooking unattended. The first incident happened at 10pm on Friday 4 December when Tonbridge crews we...

ARA Safety Inc develops and distributes life safety technology The Board of Directors of ARA Safety Inc. has appointed Michael Anderer and Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez as Directors of the Company.Dr. Gonzalez is an international affairs specialist who has spent the majority of his professional career at the forefront of US foreign affairs and international security policy issues. Currently President of Indra USA, Dr. Gonzalez recently served as Director of United States C...

A Margate man suffered serious burns after a fire started by tea lights A Margate man suffered serious burns after a fire in his home. Twenty firefighters from Margate, Ramsgate and Thanet were sent to the Grosvenor Road property at 4.50pm after the fire - started by tea lights - broke out. The occupant was asleep when the fire started but managed to escape. He sustained severe burns and smoke inhalation as a result. Firefighters, using breathing apparatus, entered the h...

It took five fire appliances to tackle the blaze caused by a candle The fire was caused by a candle, but tragedy was avoided by a smoke alarm. At 1.55 Sunday morning (29th November, 2010) Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to a house fire in Penshurst Road, Penshurst.The occupants were already out when the fire service arrived but the fire required five appliances to help tackle the blaze, which was located on both floors.It was discovered that a candle had caused...

Canterbury firefighters are urging residents to 'watch what they heat' after a fire Canterbury firefighters are urging residents to 'watch what they heat' after a fire, which was caused by unattended cooking, left student accommodation damaged. Two fire crews were sent to Heaton Road, Canterbury just after 9.30 on 26 November after control room operators received a distressed emergency call from the residents. Once at the scene, firefighters in breathing apparatus made the...