green-foam

I will leave the rules / regulations to Harry / Tom, but I think you are missing the point / misunderstanding. An extinguisher should be in the cab as opposed to being in the back for several reasons. If the vehicle is in a rear end collision and the extinguisher is required and it is "in the back" how will you open the door/s to get at the extinguisher? If the cab "goes up" (as you put it) I would have to ask you "who is asking anyone to stay in the cab?" The idea is the driver / passenger vacate the vehicle taking the extinguisher with them to extinguisher the fire from outside. In general you carry a suitable fire extinguisher as "first aid" against fire. You can either extinguish a small fire and save the vehicle and its contents or watch it all go up in flames. I know which I prefer. With regard to lifting the vehicle bonnet up and letting in more oxygen you are right, but that is one of the things you do not do. I would suggest that all of your staff are given training on how to use a fire extinguisher.

To add to the above. You do not see many emergency lights with a RED led, but I did see one. And below is the more common emergency light with a green LED

Typical, so far the ones I have seen are all under 5 years old.

Hello Julie, it really depends on the make of the emergency light as to what colour the LED should be. Originally they were red but in recent years they have changed to using a green LED. There are some emergency lights with an "auto self test" feature, most of these have two LED's one green and one red, IF you have these normally you should just see the green LED on constantly, the red LED is to indicate fault conditions, it does this by flashing various sequences. I strongly suspect that you have a mixture of old and new emergency lights, none with the self test feature. However, just because the "little light is on" does not mean the unit will function correctly when required. The emergency lights should be tested once a month, AND once a year they should all be tested for 3 hours, any lights that are not on 3 hours after the test started will require attention / replacement.

Just my opinion. If your brother does not want to move if there is a fire, what do you expect his carer to do about it? No, really, what do you expect one carer to actually do? One carer on their own can not lift anyone. If the carer stays in the room and is overcome by smoke, how will the fire brigade know there is some one in the building, if your brother wants to stay put, then the carer can go out and inform the fire brigade he is in the building and where he is. You don't mention in what you say has been written about the doors being locked, but to a point I agree. It will stop your brother from moving from where he is, so the fire brigade will not have to search for him.

I travel around quite a lot, I often see fire extinguishers that are old (over 5 years) some even over 10. I would say that the service engineer can only advise the customer an extinguisher needs replacing, but if they do not want to pay for it, I can not see what the engineer can do. I will make a note and post back with some dates of extinguishers I have seen.

Sorry to disagree Tom, but I would say any height you like / find easy. (I say this because as the the OP said, "override device" it's not for a fire alarm, but to over ride an access control system. So is NOT covered by the fire regulations)

Michael, I would like to personally say "well done" for teaching your family what to do in the event of a fire, its not something most folk do. An even bigger "well done" for buying safelincs fire extinguishers and showing your family how to use them, I only hope they never have to use them for real. I would also like to make a small suggestion. Since fires break out at any time, I suggest you activate a smoke detector and everyone evacuates the home at an hour they would normally be asleep.

Tip for breaking an extinguishers tamper seal. Most demonstrations you will see the tamper seal being pulled, this does work if you have the "OK seal" But if it has the "normal" seal, these do not break easily if pulled, but do break easily if twisted, which is easier for most folk.

I doubt it. 99% of engineers do NOT take the hose off to inspect it, they merely look at it and look to see if the nozzle is free from obstruction.

Hello, you are right, you can not put a fire extinguisher in the normal waste, however you could try and see if your local recycling centre will take it. You may also wish to consider putting them on an auction site for COLLECTION ONLY There is an interest in old extinguishers.

What you say is how most people carry out a fire alarm test. However the panel that Morag mentions is an analogue addressable panel. (For any one reading this who does not know what that means, in short every device on the fire alarm, be that a manual call point, smoke detector, heat detector, electronic sounder, flashing light etc has its own unique address. All devices in one area are connected to the same cable loop. The idea is that you can identify which detector has initiated the alarm by its address. The fire panel will display something like "Fire, smoke detector main corridor" With this type of panel it is possible to make any sounders activate differently than others. For example: A device in a large building operates, sounders in the "same area" as this device could signal: Fire, immediate evacuation, where as sounders on the other side of the building could signal: Fire, prepare to evacuate. How it does this depends on the system, some have different coloured lights, some even have voice messages etc) Like wise, it is possible to programme different sounders with different timings. I suspect that this is what has been done in Morag's situation. Its only analogue addressable fire alarm panels that can do this (Even then, some of the features are only on the bigger panels) The most common fire panel is called "conventional" and operates on the principal of "one out, all out"

Hello Morag. The panel you mention HAS the ability to have the sounder duration of any specific sounder(s) altered. However it is carried out via the programming options, so would require the services of someone who is familiar with that panel.

I have to ask, are you sure you haven't got 4? another one in say, the loft? If not, you could try taking all 3 down at the same time, keep them down for a long while and see which one beeps.

It depends on which type of powder is in the extinguisher as to if it would be suitable or not. (Each extinguisher has markings to show what category of fire it can be used on) The Christmas tree would come under the category of class A, some powder extinguishers are only suitable for class B and C (not class A) so an extinguisher for class B and C will not work on a class A fire. (Class B and C only extinguishers are ideal for vehicle engine fires, but not textiles, paper etc) Powder extinguishers do leave a residue and can temporarily reduce visibility in a confined space, for that reason I would suggest a 2 litre foam extinguisher which you can buy from Safelincs for home use.

The only problem caused by operating a light switch is, if there is the presence of a flammable gas, operating a switch on or off may create a spark igniting said gas. But for a fire evacuation, I for one do not see a problem with turning the lights on. (Assuming they still work)

Your "project" should also take into consideration how will your idea work with existing smoke alarms, bearing in mind that you can buy a brand new smoke alarm from safelincs just over a fiver As Tom said, But folk who buy smoke alarms from safelincs can also sign up to the free reminder service.

I have to agree with Tom (But in more, smaller words) From what you say it is not clear (To anyone reading this) where the pots are, in relation to everything else, and how big they are and what is in the pots. You could have small heavy pots with tall plants in them, the plants will make it easier to topple the pots. Also (Again as Tom says) Just because the pots have been there 13 years does not mean its safe / correct. The problem arises if an evacuation is required. When everything is "normal" folk will see the pots and walk round them, in an evacuation folk do not always think strait and if its "dark" or a visitor to the area has to evacuate the pots may "be in the way" so some poor soul could fall over them, and the next person fall over them etc, all because of "a few flower pots" 13 years ago people didn't have smoke alarms in their houses as standard (OK, new builds and extra work its now compulsory) they thought a fire will never happen. That is why we have risk assessments.

To change the code you should follow the instructions below: 1. Press button C 2. Enter the current passcode (this may be the factory default 1,2,3,4 or a previously set user code of 4-16 digits) 3. Press button # (a melody will sound to confirm your code) 4. Turn the knob to open the lock 5. With the lock open, press the # button 6. Enter the code from step 2 (the default factory code 1,2,3,4 or previously set user code) 7. Press the # button 8. Enter a new 4-16 digit code 9. Press the # button. Your code is now set to the one entered in step 8

Sorry to disagree, but round here they only install a detector IF you fit into the correct category, they do not "maintain" them. Taken from our Fire Brigades website Smoke Alarms can be purchased from as little as £5 per alarm from a range of stores across Your county If you live in Your county and are unable to safely fit your own smoke alarms or believe that you are in one of the risk categories shown below we will supply and fit smoke alarms for you absolutely FREE. Our uniformed officers will visit you at home by appointment and deliver a FREE home safety package, specially tailored to your needs. This includes giving you expert advice and, as an extra bonus, we'll supply and fit FREE smoke alarms where necessary. I appreciate that you never said that they (The fire Brigade) will maintain them, (They even state that to have one fitted is a bonus) but my point is they only fit them and probably just the one brand. As you yourself mentioned, there are a whole variety of smoke alarms out there, I would not expect the FB to know them all. I once asked a fireman do you know the water pressure of your hose, he had no idea, and went on to point out that he has no need to, he also said he could tell me about a lot of things, but as for specific detail of any one item, they do not need to know. I have also known firemen to see that the LED on an emergency light is on and then say "That light is ok because the charge light is on" When the supply was removed for said light the light illuminates for less than a minute. Firemen are good for rescuing and extinguishing fires, because that's what they train for.

HI, Tom, guess I will have to move to Tewksbury then. "Quotes from our council website" What legal action can be taken? We have legal powers to stop a smoke nuisance caused by a bonfire. If a person causes a smoke nuisance, we will serve a notice. A person who ignores the notice commits a criminal offence which can result in a fine of up to £5000." Can I have a bonfire after 7pm? Some people believe the law allows them to have a bonfire after 7pm. This is not the case as causing a smoke nuisance at any time is against the law. Can I use a garden incinerator? Burning waste materials in a garden incinerator can also cause a smoke nuisance, so we are asking residents not to use them.

There is one sure way to check if you should keep your emergency lights, turn all the other lights off, can you see your way out?

As the doors are to become "fire doors" I have to ask are the doors suitably rated? is your husband aware of the regulations in respect of fire doors? If the answer is no, he can not issue a certificate, and will regretfully have to sub contract the work to a fire door specialist company. To read more information about fire doors for future reference CLICK HERE

I don't like to disagree with Tom, but a fire station is the last place you should call in regard to a smoke detector beeping, the fire service may / do install detectors, but they are by no means an "authority" on how to change a battery in one. I do however agree that the make and model needs to be known before the correct advice can be given, in aid to that Safelincs do have a youtube channel showing how to change some batteries, perhaps one is what MJ has? The Safelincs youtube channel can be found if you CLICK HERE

I don't like to disagree with Tom but in quite a few places around the country it IS ILLEGAL to have a bonfire, as the area you live may be a "smokeless zone" Even though it is November the 5th its still illegal, but there are so many fires today they give up, but you may want to bear it in mind for future reference.