Hello, What is your opinion on having a fire extinguisher(s) in car which is used for work purposes. Thanks for the advice Katie

I guess if the question is to be asked why a company / car for work use and not generalise - should all cars have them? I'd say no - cars are safer now than they have ever been if required manufacturers would be looking at this not employers. plus ( I have no experience of this just guessing again) most car fires would be in the engines area and youd have to put your hand on the bonnet to open it - does not sound like a great idea to me.

Always a good idea to have an extinguisher handy in case od fire, however I do not have any in my car. Why not you may wonder? I was once confronted with a car on fire in a car park, it was blocking the exit so I "had a go". Extinguishers from shops nearby, 4 water then someone came out with a CO2. All emptied and still the fire burned. Two of us, both serving firemen and off duty but couldn't extinguish the fire. Then the Brigade arrived and with their equipment quickly dealt with the blaze. Car fires burn hot and even if starting in the engine compartment can quickly spread to the passenger area. If in the engine compartment the bonnet has to be released and opened which allows a blast of air to the fire which can rapidly increase in intensity. Which extinguisher do you use ?????????? Petrol/diesel, plastics etc. In my opinion fire extinguishers for car fires should be used to assist people to get out of the vehicle, what if they are trapped by feet in pedals or injured, fractures perhaps? Head/neck injuries, if the fire doesn't kill or maim them you probably will. The reason I don't have one is although an ex firefighter I am now 66 years old and my body is failing me. My basic common sense tells me to get as far away as possible, call the FRS, and stay clear. If I can assist I would do but I wouldn't want to make the situation worse. Food for thought I hope.

ok so we established with a detailed 1st hand account the dangers of supplying fire extinguisher in cars. if we do how are we going to train staff, what will this cover. who's going to inspect, and replace where necessary the appliances.

Why have them, 1 If you can't get out to use them, your dead. 2 If you can get out run! However it might just help people as Long as you use it to help people and not sabve the car from extensive damage. Me personally I wouldn't have one, you will very rarely have the time to bring this fire under control, better working on trying to get people to safety.

Supply assumes people will be trained to use it properly. There's a right and a wrong way to deal with a fire in the engine compartment. The little mickey mouse extinguishers you normally see for sale for use in private cars probably have a very slim chance of dealing with that. Training, maintenance, replacement (theft). On balance- is it worth it?

Hi I would (and do) advise to exit the vehicle by the nearest safe exit - err... that would be the drivers door. Then move to a safe place (up wind) and call the fire brigade. No need to have an extinguisher.