A few blog entries back, we delved into the fire extinguisher myths. With so many myths flying around when it comes to the topic of fire safety, we wanted to help our readers to stay knowledgeable and, most importantly, safe.
Most myths are harmless, but some can be dangerous!
When it comes to fire extinguisher myths, most are harmless. However, there are some myths that can be dangerous if they feed listeners with misinformation. Fire safety is not a topic to be taken lightly. So here are a few more myths we have previously heard from our lovely customers:
Myth 1: CO2 extinguishers must be replaced after 10 years
FALSE. It may be more profitable and less time consuming for the engineer to do this. However, what is actually required after 10 years is an overhaul. This involves a hydraulic pressure tests, to ensure the unit meets legislation, and a new valve. An overhaul is actually better for the environment as it is recycling an existing unit. It is also cheaper than getting a new one, which only has 10 ears before needing an overhaul anyway – so there is no longer a lifespan advantage.
Myth 2: Every ‘kitchen’ requires a fire blanket and extinguisher.
This is also untrue. Whether you need an extinguisher or not is risk based. Think about it… most ‘kitchens’ in premises like offices are fairly small with kettles, microwaves, possibly a dishwasher etc. so the risk is not that great. We would always recommend having one in any office ‘kitchen’ environment regardless of whether you regard your fire risk as being small. 
A powder extinguisher is not effective on enclosed electrical equipment such as microwaves and can cause severe secondary damage. A CO2 extinguisher on theses would be more appropriate. Wet chemical extinguishers are needed in full working kitchens where there are fryers in use.
As for fire blankets; if there is no small Class F fire risk, i.e. no cooker with hobs that a frying pan/chip pan can be used on, it is not needed.
Myth 3: Fire extinguisher service personnel are all experts
Unfortunately, like with most trades, for every competent engineer, there are several who are unqualified or cut corners. There are some who will just use any excuse to sell you new equipment. After all, you can’t put a price on safety!
We would always advise you, should you decided to go with another provider than ourselves, to take extra care when choosing them. Should you need to know what your extinguisher requirements are, it is best to obtain a fire risk assessment from an unbiased source of advice.
Myth 4: Has my extinguisher engineer serviced my equipment properly?
Okay so this one isn’t exactly a myth, but many people seem to think that just because someone is an engineer it means they are 100% sure on what they are doing, and the myth lies in this thought process. Corners are sometimes cut to save time or money or simply just through ignorance. There are some engineers out there who just ‘shine and sign’ a term for wiping the extinguisher down so it looks like it has been attended to and filling in the label. This is why it is super important to research your provider and be sure you are going with one you can trust.
Total Safe want to keep YOU safe…
At Total Safe, our passion is fire safety. Health and safety measures can really save lives. This is why we aim to make sure all of our clients are 100% compliant, 100% of the time. Our engineers are BAFE certified professionals and will check and service your extinguishers and carry out fire extinguisher maintenance with a detailed and thorough examination. It is our responsibility to ensure your safety with regular maintenance and checks.
