I am reviewing safe operating procedures for the company, the old ones talk about staff fighting fires only if it safe to do so and within their capabilities, I was off the understanding that fire extinguishers are there to aid your escape and not to fight fires, my advice would be to get out and stay out let the professionals fight the fire, advice please

As a H&S professional I agree that get out, stay out is best advice. However there may be valid risk management arguments for adequately trained and equipped personnel to take a more active role in fire control, depending on a variety of circumstances, including the immediate environment and consequences of uncontrolled fire spread. The proverbial "waste bin" fire generally can be dealt with by a skilled and practised individual using a readily available fire extinguisher but consider the scenario of a “swing bin” with a variety of discarded paper and plastic fully alight: flames would be shooting out of the top with the room rapidly filling with toxic smoke. Not something for the enthusiastic amateur to be tackling! A difficult decision for a risk manager to take which needs a very careful consideration of all the circumstances. What is in my opinion beyond doubt is that if personnel are expected to be taking that active role that they be able, willing, knowledgeable and skilled, trained and equipped and regularly rehearsed in whatever they will be expected to do.

In my opinion, I would say if there is an extinguisher to hand then attempt to put the fire out but don't go looking for one to do the job. I think it really depends on the situation at the time. In my experience from being in the Navy and having to deal with small fires I would attempt to put it out or at least control it for a period of time.

In normal situations fire extinguishers should be located on the way out of a building, they can be used by people who are exiting, but who can decide either to keep on going or to pick up the extinguisher and "have a go". Never enter a premises to seek an extinguisher, if you don't pass one on the way out just keep going. If a fire is still burning after emptying one extinguisher it is too large a fire so put down the extinguisher and get out. 999 always works for me.

When I read this thread earlier, and being a little mischievous, I couldn’t help but supress a wry smile! Some might argue (and with my tongue firmly in my cheek) that if ‘YOU’ don’t put it out, the Fire Service aren’t going to do it for you! However, mischievousness aside, I would tend to agree with Claire. Get out is always a good scheme but if there is a small fire then I personally would consider trying to put it out with FAFFA (if it is ‘safe’ to do so) rather than letting it develop into something more serious.

I've never understood why fire extinguishers are usually located next to fire exit doors - if you've got that far, keep walking! Better to locate them next to the risk, surely?

Because, as previously said, fire extinguishers' primary purpose is to assist in exiting a building should fire escape routes be compromised by fire. But yes they would also be expected to be close to known hazards such as chemical stores etc.

It always amazes me the responses that are made regarding fire extinguisher training and the use of fire extinguishers. How many deaths and major injuries have been suffered by trained people using a fire extinguisher? Safety practitioners work in industries where there is a multitude of dangerous machinery and yet everyone seems to get worried about the use of a fire extinguisher Most factories have a qualified first aider, they are trained to provide just that – first aid – and they know when a plaster will do or when an injured employee should be sent to hospital. A fire extinguisher is also a first aid appliance, in training on how and the type to use the training it should also include when not to use it. No one is expecting those trained to be professional fire fighters in the same way first aiders are not expected to be paramedics. It concerns me that human nature being what it is if someone sees a fire they will have a go at putting it out. Surely it is safer if they have been trained to use an extinguisher, why there be a distinction between that and other training involving hazardous materials or machinery? Of course the fire brigade are professionals in fighting fires, but why should the fire brigade have to put their fire fighters at risk just because an employee did not put out a small fire but which by the time of their arrival was then a massive fire? The Fire Industry Association back in 2010 (Newsletter issue 15) stated that 88% of fires are extinguished by a fire extinguisher with 75% not requiring fire brigade attendance. It could be argued that they have a self interest in the figures but even half their published figures would be considerable. Of course the insurance company will pay out for the damage and loss of profit but despite insurance payouts it is estimated that around 70% or more of businesses do not recover from a major fire. Many major companies take it as an opportunity to review production and decide not to rebuild a particular plant that has been severely damaged in a fire. It is all very well informing your co workers not to use a fire extinguisher but what do you tell them that thanks to your decision a small fire that could have been extinguished by a fire extinguisher has now burnt down their factory and they as well as you could well be out of a job. I would also refer to Article 13 clause 3 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005

Good morning all First - I must identify that I introduced a typo in my previous post for which I am providing a correction. The phrase "all Persons" should read "any persons affected". See "Article 15 - Procedures for serious & imminent danger""; especially 15(2)(a)+(b)+(c). Please note that 15(2)(b) is not qualified by "so far as reasonably practicable" but is presented as an absolute duty. The only area for discussion is what might constitute "serious, imminent & unavoidable danger" - ie - is a small bin fire within that employers definition or not! This will require the application of the RA process to identify & defend to the enforcer - whoever makes the decision must be competent to talk sensibly about the products of combustion given off by a fire that should not be there and how any relevant person is likely to be affected by exposure to those products. Frank Hallett