Having fire extinguishers in your building is all well and good but if your occupants are not sufficiently trained to use them, it will not improve fire safety. It is super important that employees undergo an appropriate fire extinguishers course or training (a Practical Use of Extinguishers course ideally) specifically designed for the building they are in. This is even more imperative if they are the designated Fire Marshal for the premises.

Any sound training course will cover more than just the basics of how to use an extinguisher. It should also help trainees to feel more confident in identifying sources of fire within the building.

 

The best fire extinguisher courses (like ours!) should include…

 

Understanding Key Fire Risks

The structure of a building and its purpose are crucial in determining its fire risks. For example, an office would have vastly different sources of fire risks compared to a hospital. It is im

portant that the training course is tailored to the individual. It should reflect the fire events or scenarios that each individual on the course is most likely to face.

By the end of the course, trainees should be able to identify key fire risks within the building. They should also have a sound knowledge of what elements work together to ignite and sustain a fire.

Classes of Fire and Corresponding Fire Extinguishers

There are different types of fires and not all fire extinguishers will work on them. If the wrong extinguisher is used, it could worsen the fire. It is important that trainees understand this as the consequences could be disastrous if they don’t.

Course teachers should be able to advise you as to which fire extinguishers may be needed in certain buildings/areas and ensure your company remains compliant with current legal obligations.

How to Locate Fire Extinguishers

This part of the course should inform trainees where in the building they need to look for fire extinguishers in the event of an emergency. This is important as locating an extinguisher quickly will give them a better chance of bringing the fire under control. They should also be taught the skill of identifying whether or not an extinguisher is fully charged. They should also be taught to look for any damage to the unit that would prevent it from functioning properly.

Assessing a Fire Situation

Guidance on making the decision to either fight or abandon a fire should also be given on the course. The size of the fire, whether it will get out of control quickly, the level of heat inside the building, the existence of any thick smoke/fumes, and whether fire exits can be reached easily or not are all things that should be taken into consideration when making this decision.

How to Operate a Fire Extinguisher

Probably the most obvious point. But the foundations of any Practical Use of Fire Extinguishers course should be based around learning how to use one. People have a tendency to panic in an intense situation, so having the confidence to correctly use the extinguisher is crucial. the more hands on time you get using extinguisher on your course, the better!

Total Safe Fire Extinguisher Course

As you can see, there are so many things to consider when it comes to using an extinguisher – ensuring a sufficient number of employees are trained up in these situations can really be the difference between life and death.  Book a fire extinguishers course to ensure your family and employees stay safe – call the Total Safe UK office on 01375 265950 or email [email protected].