Posted By CW I thought their primary use was to prop open fire doors.

Posted By Bob Shillabeer Phillip is quite correct, they are essentially an aid to escape. The risk of using a fire extinguisher is they give the user the belief they are fighting the fire, they are not. They are trying to ensure a safe escape. Having said that a very (I Mean very) small fire can be reduced or extinguished using a fire extingisher (perhaps the title needs changing) but the devise is a means of securing an escape route. Fire fighting is for the fire brigade who are trained in that work. The main aspect of fire safety is about people safety and the reduction of the risk that may lead to fires. Far more activity needs to be addressed to this aspect (as required by the RRFSO). Ensuring the workplace is unlikely to catch fire is fire prevention which I suggest is another but related topic. Any discussion on fire prevention would be most interesting.

Posted By Dave Merchant If I'm in a room with a fire extinguisher and a burning waste paper basket, I'm not going to walk away simply because the exit is clear and watch the building burn down. Having said that, in an established compartment fire, 9 litres of water won't get you any closer to the door. It's a common-sense decision of fire size vs. equipment size.

Posted By Flic Yes and no. A fire extinguisher, correctly used, on a fire that has not progressed very far, can save the building. I have first hand experience of that. However, fire grows very quickly, and within a very short time it will be well beyond the capability of a fire extinguisher. Sometimes it starts that way - I have had first hand experience of that as well, where about 20 fire extinguishers were used on a fire with little effect on the fire (although they did facilitate the rescue of an injured person). If you want to know more about growth of fire, look at these graphs: http://projects.bre.co.u...ignfires/graphs/NFPA.gif Also ask yourself how it is that within about 3 to 4 minutes a sofa that is on fire is generating enough heat to cause everything else in the room to spontaneously burst into flames. A fire extinguisher will be fine for the first few seconds, after which you had best exit stage right, quickly. Flic

Posted By Renown II I train my marshals that if they find a fire, before considering using an extinguisher they must raise the alarm and evacuate first. Only then, if it is a small fire in a waste bin should they consider fighting it, and to always have someone with them in case of problems. If they decide they cant fight the fire, then to close the door and get themselves out quickly. The Fire Brigade will arrive within 5 minutes. A small bin fire may not sound much, but who knows what could be in it. As previously stated, the spread of fire is rapid, so my marshals are trained not to take any risks.

Posted By Bob Shillabeer In response to DKP when a fire needs to be extinguished, that is after it has started irrespective of size, the fire procautions/prevention bit has failed to do what it was supposed to do, the fire HAS STARTED. Prevention is about not letting a thing happen in the first place.

Posted By S T Fire extinguishers are there for safety purpose. Primary purpose is aid in escape, Secondary to tackle fire if safe to do so. So rather than arguing on a simple query, why don’t you emphasis on a simple assessment, ‘common sense decision’ as described by Dave. This will surely reduce the damage caused by the fire. ‘Assessment’ is the magic word in H&S after all. No offence meant ST

Posted By philip john Just looked at this thread since yesterday. DPK I understand what you are saying, it's all in the circumstances, fire size, training etc. I've undertaken fire risk assessments today and I informed the person, fire extinguishers are simply there to aid escape. But you have to remember some people will and some people will not fight a fire if they don't need to, (its the fight or flight response). Nothing to done with the question but hey there you go. PS I love FIRE.................Mitigation that is. Regards Phil

Posted By TonyB With regards to why they are placed by the exit - that's normally were you'd expect to find the alarm gas. Being new to the discussion forums I'm amazed at what triggers a long discussion. We live and learn. As to the original question. Consider 1. - you MUST (in most circumstances) have fire extinguishers. 2. - you MUST be trained to use an extinguisher before you can tackle a fire 3. - you are NOT required to train anybody to use a fire extinguisher. (Before anybody starts - yes, it is a very very good idea, but legally it is acceptable to state that you don't trained anybody to use them as you require that nobody should ever tackle a fire and evaluation is the only option provided to every employee) As a result of the above - the basic purpose of the extinguisher cannot be to tackle a fire - otherwise it would be a legal requirement that EVERYBODY is trained to use them. Therefore, the purpose must be to assist in escape - or hold the fire door open. Tony.

Posted By Crim I have always believed that fire extinguishers are work equipment and as such employees are required to be trained to use them. (Some not all). After all do you not train employees to use other work equipment? Further - fire extinguishers ARE provided to fight fire! There are extinguishers provided near to special risks. i.e. electricity sub stations, kitchens etc. and/or inside work areas due to the size of the workplace. These extinguishers are definitely not to aid escape from fire but to attack the fire. It can be said that if these fires are attacked then escape will be assisted for other employees, but the primary aim is to attack the fire. I agree that most extinguishers should be sited near to fire exits so that a decision can be made to get out or return with the extinguisher to "have a go" but that would only be by trained personnel. It does make sense to deal with a small fire rather than allow your worpkplace to be so fire damaged that you lose your job, especially in this current climate. I am ex fire service and know of occasions when the nearest fire station is unoccupied delaying the attendance time of the first fire appliances so don't rely on a rapid attendance, you should always anticipate the worst when you carry out your fire planning.

Posted By garyh In my view most employers provide extinguishers to comply with legal requirements, not to fight fires. Two separate issues. For instance, you might install a minimum number of extinguishers, but instruct employees not to fight fires. Incidentally I wonder how many posters on this issue actually manage fire issues, or have experience of serious fires?

Posted By Juan Carlos Arias Fire extinguishers are provided to fight small fires,however, only properly trained individuals who feel confident to do it. In my company we train all employees in evacuation procedures and briefly talk about the use of fire extinguishers, we do emphasise that unless the person has had further training in their use, they can be considered by them as decoration only and should be ignored. Fire wardens, which we have, are trained in how to tackle small fires and are encouraged to fight the fire if safe to do so. In the past, I fought a fire at work when I had to use 12 fire extinguishers. I will never again will something like that. Your company will not be likely to appreciate something like that. if the fire is big and everybody has been safely evacuated. let the place burn down. a single life is far more important than hundreds loosing their jobs due to a fire and insurance companies are there to pick up the pieces.