Knowing how to use an extinguisher can mean that you can control or even extinguish the fire, or, on the contrary, that it spreads more easily. The difference between knowing how to use it or not is increasing our security.
The basic recommendations before the use of fire extinguishers are:
- Fire extinguishers usually have a safety ring. The first thing to do is stretch hard with it.
- Stand at a safe distance, preferably a minimum of 2 meters. Keep in mind to have the exit closest to your back in case something goes wrong.
- Think with a cool head and manage your content.
- Stand the extinguisher upright and discharge it pointing toward the base of the flame. It is important to aim at the base and not at the flame itself since the fire originates at the base and that is where you have to eradicate it. Move the extinguisher hose from left to right.
- If you are outdoors, always empty it in the same direction as the wind.
- If you have several fire extinguishers, it is better to empty them one after the other.
- It is preferable that you empty one to leave it with half a charge, that extinguisher will have to be recharged again.
Remember, never turn your back on the fire while using a fire extinguisher, always ensure your safety.
Intrusion in the field equipment and systems maintenance sector
The economic crisis in which the country has been involved has exacerbated the problem of labor intrusion in the fire protection sector. The emergence of unauthorized companies and individuals, who offer maintenance of fire protection systems at prices below cost or practically free, has increased significantly during these years.
The sector that has suffered the most is the recharging and maintenance of fire extinguishers. There are many companies that offer low-cost maintenance contracts. This is because not registering as fire extinguisher rechargers, the necessary quality audits that the companies that legally dedicate themselves to this have to pass every year you save. They also do not meet the strict ISO quality standards, nor do they have a recharge workshop with their technicians on staff, nor, of course, civil liability insurance whose amount is quite high, minimum requirements requested by the General Directorate of Industry, in order to perform legal and responsible work.
fire protection installation
It is necessary to CLARIFY well that a Maintenance Company needs the ENABLING by the Competent Body of the corresponding Autonomous Community to carry out its activity in accordance with what is stated in the Regulation of Fire Protection Installations, approved by Royal Decree 1942/1993, of 5 of November.
Unfortunately, there are companies and people who, in a totally ILLEGAL way, carry out maintenance activities for fire detection and fire extinguishing equipment, without being authorized or prepared for it, and therefore DECEIVING customers, who in their good faith, do not enter in requesting the appropriate accreditations.
Therefore, it is important to warn of the security risk posed by maintaining these systems with companies that are not qualified to do so. It is important, before hiring any company, to verify whether or not this company meets all current legal requirements for maintenance and recharging of fire extinguishers and maintenance of PCI systems and equipment.
How to avoid the spread of fire?
Preventing the spread of fire in a fire is not an easy task.
However, it is necessary to avoid material and personal damage. To prevent the spread of fire, it is necessary to have security systems adapted to the space and correct signaling.
How does a fire spread?
We generally consider that a fire has two ways of evolving: horizontal expansion or vertical expansion.
In order to avoid horizontal expansion, we recommend it:
- Fitting fireproof elements such as fire doors
- Avoid combustible elements between rooms such as carpets or curtains.
To avoid vertical expansion:
- Determine expansion spaces such as stairwells.
- Avoid items such as wooden doors, curtains, or flammable items.
If you want to know more about how to prevent fire in the home, we recommend it.
