Rank: Forum user 
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Hi All, I would appreciate any feedback from healthcare specialists or others regarding policy towards fire extinguisher training in hospitals. I know policy in some hospitals is to instruct staff in how to use extinguishers- i.e. show them where the extinguishers are, describe and identify the different types and what to use them for but not to actually physically discharge them during training. The reasoning behind this has been that the fire strategy is about containment within fire compartments & callling the professionals rather than tackling fires; which may make them worse or fill a corridor with smoke. This approah has been developed with Fire Service input.
I am hearing from others who are taking a different tack and looking to train staff in physically using extinguishers. I would appreciate knowing what your policy is?
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Rank: Super forum user
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I have never seen the point of fire extinguisher training that does not involve discharging an extinguisher. The things that impressed me the first time I did it was 1) how fast the extinguishing agent came out and 2) how quickly it was all used up. We only encourage staff, who are familiar with extinguishers and confident in their use, to attempt to use them on a fire. We are not a hospital so we don’t have any patients at risk and we take a less aggressive approach to dealing with a fire- if in doubt get out!
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Rank: Super forum user
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So, here we go again!!!
There is no exemption from the requirements of the FSO for healthcare establishments that I'm aware of, so if there is, could someone please make it public!
Before we can decide on who may require FE training [I believe that it's everyone who may have to use them - FSO requirement] we really do need to decide on our strategy for use.
Why are you providing FEs? What is the corporate strategy on the use of FEs?
Only after you've addressed those questions can you reliably determine who may, or may not require training; and what that training should consist of.
Frank Hallett
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Rank: Super forum user
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A Kurdziel wrote:I have never seen the point of fire extinguisher training that does not involve discharging an extinguisher.
I can't argue with that aspiration, but how would you deal with a large city centre office block with 4,500 staff and no suitable space for discharging an extinguisher.
We train around 100 security staff, FM engineers and other in discharging extinguishers off site in a neighbouring office's car park, and everyone else gets e-learning instruction or in the case of fire wardens a non discharge 'show & tell' presentation)
Its just to expensive to provide hands on training for all, so we aim at staff in higher risk (of fire) jobs/roles
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Rank: Super forum user
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Same in retail mssy - e learning and information. Many large retailers can employ 20k + staff and have a 50% annual churn.
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Rank: Super forum user
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mssy wrote:A Kurdziel wrote:I have never seen the point of fire extinguisher training that does not involve discharging an extinguisher.
I can't argue with that aspiration, but how would you deal with a large city centre office block with 4,500 staff and no suitable space for discharging an extinguisher.
We train around 100 security staff, FM engineers and other in discharging extinguishers off site in a neighbouring office's car park, and everyone else gets e-learning instruction or in the case of fire wardens a non discharge 'show & tell' presentation)
Its just to expensive to provide hands on training for all, so we aim at staff in higher risk (of fire) jobs/roles
Exactly which is why we only give it to key people not everybody.
The training we do give them is hands on like you said.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I work in a hospital and I train all staff in fire safety, site specific and part of this training is in the use and practical discharge of fire extinguishers. The message in training is "get the hell out" but this is not always practical when you have to evacuate people with mobility issues. It does not take up much space so you could cordon off a small section of carpark or garden to use. A good piece of kit is important though!
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