What Is Health and Safety?

You may not think at first that practising how to use of a fire extinguisher is actually much use. But come the time when you might actually need to locate and use one, you could be very glad that you were made to practice the act of using and handling an extinguisher in the first place.

The fact of the matter is that there are many different types of fire extinguisher, not only in terms of operation, but also in terms of the chemicals actually inside the extinguisher. This is basically because the different types of extinguisher have been designed for different types of fire, including chemical fires, and electrical fires.

The thing is that you cannot just pick up any old type of extinguisher for use on any old fire, because if you pick up the wrong type, it can actually make the fire much worse, by either spreading it, or by adding to its ferocity. So you need to learn the rules, and the best way to do so is by attending a fire extinguisher course whereby you will be taught how to select the correct extinguisher to tackle a specific fire, how to actually operate that extinguisher, and how to direct the extinguisher to best put out the fire.

Another very important element of our fire extinguishers is where they are positioned within the building. Most local fire brigades have specialist advisers who will visit the premises to give you best advice on where to position your extinguishers. They will also be able to give you professional advice on which types of extinguisher are more appropriate to your building and the nature of your business.

Once installed, you should have your extinguishers inspected regularly, they should also be included on an asset register as they are classified as a company’s assets. Labelling fire extinguishers is not only helpful from a health and safety asset point of view, but it is also essential from a practical point of view in terms of selecting the right tool for the job, and extinguishing the blaze at the earliest opportunity.

Practising using a fire extinguisher may help to alleviate any fears and as the saying goes ‘practice makes perfect’, so like many things the more you practise the adept you will become at using a fire extinguisher, which could help to save lives.