Another fire extinguisher topic but this one has some substance. Have a look at this article http://www.fia.uk.com/en...34-4639-B0BE5536BAF07A4B I know statistics can be massaged to suit but there must be something it this.

My jaundiced eye notes the web site address... However, the point still is valid and I have no reason to doubt the validity of the findings. Sure most successfully extinguished fires were down to the fact that a fire extinguisher was used. Strangely enough, we are currently installing a fire supression system on my current construction project and they are going to be using a chemical gas/liquid (heptafluoropropane) to "suck" the energy from the fire. This was new to me as a method of controlling a fire and further to discussions previously regarding asphyxiation of nearby humans this system claims to be harmless. Interesting I thought. Sorry if I'm going off topic...

A simple addition to your employee induction course indicating where the fire extinguishers are and how they operate, i.e. "pull the pin, point and press the lever".

Interesting terminology... The headline claims "Almost 9 out of 10 fires put out by portables" Hmm, that's impressive... But then in the substance of the report... "88% of fires THAT WERE TACKLED BY PORTABLES were put out." So the article could be viewed as saying "over 10% of people who deployed portable fire extinguishers did so unsuccessfully and put their lives at risk for no good reason" I know that's an oversimplification, but so is the original headline!

A very generic article I think. How many of these fire were in office blocks or residential blocks?? How many were in 'high' risk workplaces? Had the operative receive any training? What type of fires had been extinguished? There is most definitely a need for extinguishers in the work place. Where it is declining would be low risk offices and due to various reasons including vandalism, cost, training, residential buildings has seen a decline. The fact the sponsors of this article would most probably be extinguisher company's makes me suspect. We have competent risk assessors now don't you know who can decide through risk assessment if extinguishers are needed or not, this amongst other things lessen the burden on employer (Part of the reason for FSO). How many have come to a building where the extinguisher company has gone OTT to the extent there are extinguishers every 1 meter, at every door, every exit costing bucks to the employer who could be best spent spending on passive fire protection measures or event stopping the fire in the first place...