Home / Fire Safety Equipment

Fire Safety Equipment

Tag: Fire Safety Equipment

Fire Safety

How To Ensure Workplace Fire Safety

General

Industrial fires and explosions can cost companies billions of dollars yearly, not to mention the loss of life that can’t be measured in monetary terms. Industrial sectors such as petrochemical, offshore oil rigs and power plants face particular threats due to their working conditions.

Regardless of the size, scale and type of business operations, fire hazards are a real risk. Though some industries may be more prone to serious fire accidents, devastating fires can occur in any situation.

While fires can be unpredictable, they are also preventable if you have a well-defined fire protection plan. Regardless of your industry or workplace environment, it is critical for business owners, facility managers and employees to have basic knowledge about fire safety preparedness.

Prevention of Industrial Fire Accidents

A robust and well-designed fire prevention strategy is a crucial element in mitigating fire threats. Identifying potential fire hazards and documenting them builds a strong foundation for a fire protection plan. The list of potential fire hazards varies from industry to industry, however there are common considerations that are vital to consider when formulating a plan. These include electrical outlets, storage of combustible materials and such utilities.

Undocumented fire hazards may result in a catastrophic fire accident. Even a small spark can escalate to disastrous effect when the sources are unknown and unplanned for. It’s essential to include all potential fuel sources and electrical outlets that could start a fire in your fire prevention audit.

Here’s a Workplace Checklist for Fire Safety

  • Make sure to report any electrical faults immediately to prevent fire accidents. Faulty or poor wiring poses a significant fire hazard, so it is crucial to identify and fix these faults immediately.
  • Ensure that the outlets and circuits are not overloaded.
  • Never use damaged or frayed electrical cords, as exposure to these poses a threat of electrocution and fire accidents.
  • Correct storage of flammable materials and other combustible chemicals prevents fires. Store the combustible materials away from any electrical equipment.
  • Ensure laboratories and other designated areas containing hazardous or flammable materials are identified and have clear safety procedures.

Keep Emergency Exits Clear and Easily Identified

Emergency exits should be kept clear at all times to ensure safe passage for personnel working on the premises. It’s also important to ensure that proper and well-drafted exit diagrams are posted at strategic locations and that emergency exit signs are lit well. In addition, it is essential to maintain clear visibility of the exit passages.

Install Fire Detection And Suppression System & Fire Extinguishers

One of the best defences against fire is installing fire safety protection. Moreover, ensure your premises have a regular testing, audit and maintenance schedule for fire detection and protection equipment.

Similarly, portable fire extinguishers are also an essential item for fire fighting. You will also need durable extinguisher cabinets and stands to keep them secure and easily accessible.

To successfully use the fire extinguishers, you should:

  • Conduct monthly inspections to ensure they are always ready for use
  • Ensure they are correctly stored in a cabinet and not blocked or obscured from visibility
  • Provide employees with training to properly use the extinguishers.

The Importance of First Aid Kits At the Workplace

A first aid kit is vital for any workplace that can be used in almost any emergency.

In case of a fire emergency, a first aid kit can mean the difference between a minor injury and a serious one, and help to buy critical time whilst awaiting medical assistance. From timely application of topical antibiotics to prevent infection and burn treatment to stabilisation of broken bones, being able to treat wounds immediately can be a literal life saver in an emergency.

A good first aid kit will contain items relevant to the specific requirements of your industrial operation. The first aid kit should be stored in a secure and easy-to-access location. Given the extreme importance of a first aid kit in an emergency situation, ensuring it is safely stored and well protected in heavy duty protective materials is critical.

If you are looking for plastic fire safety products, contact FSP Oz Products.

Fire Extinguisher Cabinet

Using Fire Extinguishers The Right Away

General

Knowing how to operate a fire extinguisher safely is a skill that everyone should acquire. Careful maintenance and proper use of fire extinguishers can prevent damage to lives and properties. Residential, commercial, industrial and public properties are required to keep fire extinguishers in good working order by using fire extinguisher storage cabinets or boxes. Fire can be brought under control with a prompt response within the initial minutes of ignition, and it can help you buy time until firefighters arrive.

Properly Using a Fire Extinguisher:

Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher properly allows an individual to respond confidently in fire emergencies. There are different types of portable fire extinguishers, which can be identified by their colour, coding, and labelling. Knowing what type of fire extinguisher you need to use for a specific fire type is essential. For example, a water extinguisher must never be used on any fire that involves electrical equipment.

Here are four basic steps for using a modern portable fire extinguisher, which are described with the acronym PASS:

Pull:

The first step of using a fire extinguisher is pulling the pin at the top and breaking its seal. When an extinguisher is stored in a fire extinguisher storage box, the pin prevents the handle from being accidentally pressed. Test the extinguisher immediately, aiming away from the operator This will ensure that the extinguisher is in working condition and enable the operator to know how far the stream travels.

Aim:

Approach the fire from a safe distance and aim the extinguisher’s nozzle at the base of the fire.

Squeeze:

Squeeze the extinguisher handles together to discharge the agent inside. Release the handles to stop the discharge.

Sweep:

As you approach the fire, sweep the nozzle from side to side, keeping the nozzle’s direction at the base of the flames. Once the A Class fire is extinguished, identify and approach the smouldering hot spots that could reignite the fuel.

Different Class of Fires and Respective Extinguishers:

There is a total of six classes of fires; let’s take a look:

Class A fires:

Class A fires are caused by the ignition of flammable solids, such as wood, paper, and fabric.

Class B fires:

A fire caused by flammable liquids such as petrol, turpentine or paint is considered a Class B fire.

Class C fires:

A fire involving flammable gases such as LPG, hydrogen, butane or methane is a Class C fire.

Class D fires:

A fire caused by combustible metals such as magnesium, aluminium or potassium is in Class D.

Class E fires:

A fire that involves electrical equipment is in Class E. Once the electrical equipment is removed from the site, the fire changes the class.

Class F fires:

Class F fire is caused by cooking oils, typically a chip-pan fire.

Types of Fire Extinguishers and their Applications:

Water Extinguisher:

Class A water extinguishers are the most popular across Australia. All water extinguishers are painted in rich red colour, and they don’t have any colour band wrapped around the top of the cylinders. Water fire extinguishers are for Class A fires only and should not be used on Class B or Class C fires.

Dry Chemical Powder Extinguisher:

Dry chemical powder extinguishers are also known as DCP, BE and ABE fire extinguishers. Dry Chemical Powder Extinguishers (ABE) are effective on Class A, Class B, and Class E fires, and they extinguish the fire by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. BE dry chemical extinguishers are only for Class B and Class E fires. Dry chemical extinguishers can be identified with their red body with a white colour band wrapped around on top of the cylinder.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher:

Carbon dioxide extinguishers put out the fire by removing the oxygen element of the fire triangle and removing the heat with its cold discharge. They can be identified by their red bodies and a black colour band wrapped around the top of the cylinders. These are used on Class E and Class B fires and are usually ineffective on Class A fires. All carbon dioxide extinguishers must be serviced every six months and are required to undergo hydrostatic testing and recharge every five years.

Foam Extinguisher:

Foam extinguishers are used for extinguishing Class A and Class B fires in Australia. To identify a foam extinguisher, look for a cylinder in rich red colour with a blue band colour wrapped around the top of it. They extinguish the fire by forming a thick layer over the top of the burning substance and stopping the oxygen access.

Wet Chemical Extinguisher:

Wet chemical extinguishers contain a solution of potassium, which smothers the fire and eliminates heat by creating a barrier between the fuel elements and oxygen. They are used for extinguishing Class F fires in commercial cooking operations and also for Class A fires. They can be used indoors and outdoors and can be identified with their rich red colour with an OATMEAL colour band wrapped around on top of the cylinder.

Why Choose Plastic Fire Extinguisher Cabinets?

Plastic fire extinguisher cabinets are lightweight, sturdy, and provide optimum protection to the fire extinguishers. These cabinets ensure the extinguishers remain safe and in perfect working condition when needed.

Keeping fire extinguishers in working condition is vital to handle fire emergencies effectively in residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Constant and more prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, rain, moisture, and other elements can cause damage to the fire extinguisher, so storing appropriately in a cabinet can prevent this. Storing fire extinguishers in cabinets also prevents any tampering.

Plastic fire extinguisher storage cabinets are lighter, easy to install and have low shipping costs compared to wood and steel cabinets. Advanced fire extinguishers cabinets can be customised according to your premise’s specific requirements, such as locking options and a plexiglass front display. Industrial-grade fire extinguisher cabinets are made using high-density polyethylene, making them highly durable and resistant to heavy impacts. Plastic cabinets are easy to maintain as they don’t rust and are easy to clean.

As a leading manufacturer and distributor of fire safety equipment in Australia, FSP Oz Products  offers a wide range of fire safety equipment for various industries. We use advanced manufacturing technology to deliver the finest quality products at competitive prices.

Conclusion:

Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is essential in handling emergencies. At the same time, it’s also vital to know what type of fire extinguisher should be used for the specific Class of fire. To ensure the optimum functionality of the fire extinguishers, they should be stored in heavy-duty plastic cabinets, which are a more affordable and reliable option compared to wood and steel cabinets.

For more details on fire safety equipment, kindly contact FSP Oz Products.

Fire Sefety

Understanding Fire Safety in Australia For All Business

General

No matter what type of business you operate, a fire outbreak can wreak havoc. Containing fire outbreaks isn’t as difficult as you might imagine, but negligence and ignorance can end up causing disasters. In Australia, the onus of adherence to fire safety standards lies with the employers and the owners of commercial properties.

Commercial Buildings all over Australia must meet specific state guidelines and comply with the correct fire legislation. Critically, you must ensure you have the correct fire safety equipment on your premises. Once the fire safety equipment is in place, you must also conduct regular safety inspections and test the fire protection systems. Non-compliance will lead to failure of safety inspections, but could also endanger the lives of the people on your site.

The majority of commercial fires can be contained if the right plastic fire safety products are first procured and placed at the appropriate locations. Fire safety systems like sprinklers and alarm systems can help buy vital time until professionals arrive at the scene. Having the right products and maintaining them is just the first step. Keeping the premises safe from fire hazards is a necessity in every workplace. Fire evacuation processes and regular practice of these with all staff are also essential aspects of your fire safety plan.

FPAA – Fire Protection Association Australia

Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) is a non-profit organisation working to improve community fire safety. FPA Australia is the national peak fire safety body that supports and represents the fire protection industry and draws members from some of the leading companies that offer a range of fire protection services. FPA Australia delivers technical information, services and education to support both the practitioners and the broader community.

FPA Australia has developed a code of practice for all signatories to follow. The Code prescribes principles, standards and service delivery requirements that help enable the best possible outcomes when protecting life from fire-related emergencies. The Code helps maintain a national standard for the manufacturer and distribution of fire safety equipment.

With almost 1900 members, including manufacturers, firefighters, and building owners, FPA Australia is working with the fire protection community to provide a safer environment.

Designing Fire Safe Buildings

All life is precious. While building new and complex buildings, architects are responsible for ensuring that the structures are fire-safe. Working with a fire safety engineer early in the building concept design process ensures that optimised solutions can be delivered. Detailed information about the facility, its intended use, and any potential hazards helps them identify areas for improvement before they begin drafting up their drawings.

When designing a fire safety system, it is essential to consider all the different factors that influence fire and smoke behaviour, and how they interact. For example, understanding the source of fire to predict where smoke movement will occur or how much heat will be transferred into building structures when there is an incident will impact its design. Considering fire safety design can help make arrangements for the most effective evacuations, and guide locating the critical points for fire and safety equipment placement.

Why do Commercial Buildings Fail Fire Safety Inspections?

Cutting corners in the maintenance of fire safety systems and equipment will lead to a failure in fire safety inspection and more importantly, puts building occupants and employees at a higher risk. Although there could be innumerable reasons to fail a fire safety inspection, a few common reasons are seen rather more frequently compared to the others.

Here’s a list of things you should keep in check to comply with all rules and regulations and clear the safety inspections:

  • Emergency Exits:

    Every second is crucial during evacuations. If the exit doors are difficult to open or access, it would lead to a disaster. Obstructed or hard-to-open emergency exit doors are one of the most common reasons for failing a safety inspection.

  • Obstructions in Exit Routes:

    Similar to the exits, obstructions in the stairways and pathways make evacuation harder. Temporarily placing packages, furniture and other obstructions in an exit route could also lead to failure of safety inspections.

  • Emergency Lights and Signs:

    Maintenance of the emergency lights and signs is crucial. These signs are life savers when the buildings are filled with smoke and fumes, and finding the path leading to the exit can be extremely difficult.

  • Exposed Electrical Junctions and Wires:

    Electrical appliances and fires can be a lethal combination. Partially covered or exposed electrical junctions and wires can exacerbate any hazardous situation and wreak havoc on an entire building. It is absolutely crucial to ensure all electrical works are safely maintained and installed.

  • Maintenance and Availability of Fire Extinguishers:

    Fire safety doesn’t end with purchasing a fire extinguisher. They must be appropriately placed, regularly checked and recharged when necessary. Faulty, expired, and misplaced fire extinguishers are other common reasons for failing safety inspections.

  • Faulty Fire Alarm System:

    Though you may find it surprising, a fire alarm system that has not been tested in more than a year is not unusual. Regularly testing and servicing the fire alarm system by a licensed fire alarm company is necessary to ensure meeting the requirements of the fire safety inspections.

Fire Safety Education for Employees to Create Safe Workplaces

A tool is only as good as its user. In emergencies when every second counts, you cannot simply wait for the professionals to arrive on the scene. With adequate fire safety education, you may be able to save property and even lives. Teaching employees the basics of how to use fire extinguishers, making a fire safety plan, and nominating a fire safety warden (depending on the expanse of the property) will help manage and guide people during emergencies.

In the event of a fire at your business, make sure you have an evacuation plan in place. Your staff should know where all exits are and you must ensure that emergency lights like smoke or heat lamps work so people can find their way out quickly.

With a fire safety plan in place and regular maintenance of the fire safety systems and equipment, you can safeguard your business and your employees.

Fire Safety in The Mining Industry

General

With over 10.4 per cent share of the Australian economy, mining is a major contributor to the overall national GDP. It employs over 0.13 million Australian blue and white collar workers in roles with varying degrees of difficulty and danger.

Over the years, authorities have formulated a strict legislative framework to improve the health and safety of the personnel working on mining sites. However, it remains one of the higher-risk industries to work in. According to an estimate, the mining industry has the third highest fatality rate, with nine workers dying yearly in the country.

Potential Risk Areas on Mining Sites:

Mining and quarrying involve high-level risk activities that can cause fatal injuries to employees and people in the vicinity. In addition, accidents can damage the site’s expensive machinery or powered haulage. Some of the potential hazards are:

  • Ground failure/rock fall
  • Mobile plant roll-overs and collision
  • Fire and/or explosion, including plant fire, misfires, and wild flyrock
  • Respirable dust exposure, including crystalline silica
  • Loss of ventilation, including blast fumes and confined spaces

Fire threatens underground and surface mining operations, particularly conveyor belt entries. Additionally, fire can be caused by equipment malfunction, spontaneous combustion, welding, lighting and frictional ignition.

Safety Tips To Reduce Mining Accidents:

Flammable liquids, combustible materials, high voltage cables and heavy machinery contribute to the fire risk on mining sites. The remote nature of mining sites further compounds the risk of damage should a fire occur.

Fire protection within the mining industry requires comprehensive risk assessments, detailed plans and effective execution to minimise the potential harm and damage caused by fire onsite. There are a few simple measures that mining companies can take and prepare themselves to minimise risk:

1. Meticulous Risk Assessment

An extensive and intensive fire hazard assessment is the first step in formulating an effective fire protection plan and reducing fatalities and damage.

The nature of fire hazards varies between surface and underground mining operations. They also vary according to different factors such as size, structure, material, equipment and number of personnel.

Some of the typical mining fire hazards include:

  • Welding and cutting operations
  • Inadequate flammable and combustible liquids like lubricating oil, hydraulic fuel and more.
  • Combination of coal dust and methane gas

Once you have comprehensively assessed the potential fire risks associated with mining operations, selecting and installing the proper safety equipment becomes essential.

2. Install Proper Fire Safety Equipment

Investing in proper fire safety equipment is vital to mitigate potential hazardous operations. High-quality, UV resistant, lightweight and durable safety equipment is essential. There is a wide variety of fire safety equipment for mining sites. While safety requirements will vary from mine to mine, some fire protection equipment to consider includes:

  • Fire Extinguisher Cabinets
  • Fire Extinguisher Storage Box
  • Fire Cabinets
  • Hose Reels

3. Audit and Maintenance of Fire Safety Equipment

While the installation of appropriate fire safety equipment is essential, it is useless if the equipment is not maintained and appropriately audited. Inspecting, auditing and maintaining fire protection safety is essential to reduce the risk of malfunction when needed in an emergency situation.

Which Type Of Fire Needs Which Type Of Extinguisher?

Fires will burn and also be extinguished differently according to the fuel they burn and the conditions they form in. You will need specific fire extinguishers to put out fires depending on the fuel they are burning. These different fuel types are referred to as “classes.”

The Classes of Fire:

There are six classes of fire:

  • Class A fires are caused by flammable solids, such as wood, paper, and fabric
  • Class B fires are usually caused by flammable liquids that include petrol, turpentine or paint
  • Class C fires are caused by flammable gases such as LPG, hydrogen, butane or methane
  • Class D fires are caused by combustible chemicals such as magnesium, aluminium or potassium
  • Class E fires are started by faulty electrical equipment
  • Class F fires are caused by cooking oils, typically a chip-pan fire

Water Extinguisher

Water-based extinguishers are used for Class A fires only. These extinguishers should not be used for fires involving electrical equipment, flammable liquids or gases, or cooking oils.

Dry Chemical Powder Extinguisher

Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguishers are primarily used to extinguish the fire by hindering the fire’s chemical reaction. These are effective on Class A, B, and E fires. These extinguishers contain a mono ammonium phosphate chemical powder, which acts as a barrier between the oxygen and fuel elements.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher

Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by removing the oxygen element and removing the heat with its cold discharge.

CO2 fire extinguishers contain a non-conductive and non-corrosive extinguishing agent and therefore will cause no damage to electrical equipment. Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B & E fires, and are usually ineffective on Class A fires.

Foam Extinguisher

Foam fire extinguishers form a layer over the top of any burning substance to stop the fire by cutting off access to oxygen, and these are effective in combating Class B fires.

Wet Chemical Extinguisher

Wet Chemical Extinguishers contain a solution of potassium which smothers the fire removing the element of heat. Generally, these are used for Class A and F fires in commercial cooking operations.

Why Are Fire Extinguisher Cabinets Important For Extinguishers?

As fire extinguishers are the first line of defence in a fire accident, keeping them in a secure and easy-to-access location is critical. High-quality polyethylene fire extinguisher cabinets have a sight glass for easy gauge inspection and are usually available with locking and non-locking handle options. Additionally, these cabinets have a fitted step that assists with quickly removing the extinguisher during an emergency.

Preventing Fires in Mining Sites:

Underground mining operations can expose the personnel to fire threats and can be particularly dangerous due to the enclosed space. An underground mine fire can escalate to a catastrophic event. It is, therefore, crucial to have specific safety measures in place to protect the on-site and underground mining workers.

Know the Fuel Source

Once you have identified the fuel and ignition source, it becomes easy to determine the nature and quantity of heat, smoke and fumes. This may considerably impact the consequences and reduce the risk level.

Location of the Fire

The location of an underground fire significantly affects the hazard level; for example, a fire in the central intake airway can pose a significant risk compared to one in exhaust airways.

Proper Mine Ventilation

Proper mine ventilation needs to be considered when evaluating the threat of potential underground fires. Good underground mine ventilation allows the harmful dust and gas in case of a severe fire.

If you are looking for high-quality plastic fire protection equipment, contact FSP Oz Products.

Add to cart