Fire Doors

Buildings are compartmentalised to delay the spread of fire from one area to another. The compartments are usually linked by doors to allow for passage of traffic around the building. Door sets have two important functions in a fire, when closed they form a barrier to fire spread and when open they provide a means [...]

Fire Door Hardware

It is a criminal offence to supply products that do not comply with the UK Construction Products Regulations. For fire door fittings intended for use against fire, markings will be the easiest method to demonstrate compliance. The Building Control Officer or other approved inspectors or a Trading Standards Officer, however, will require proof of this [...]

Portable Fire Extinguisher – General

Fires are classified in four groups A, B, C, and D Class A fires – are fires involving organic solids like paper, wood, etc Class B fires – are fires involving flammable Liquids. Class C fires – are fires involving flammable Gasses Class D fires – are fires involving Metals Electrical fires are not included, [...]

Types, Use and Colours of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Before you need to use a fire extinguisher read the label to make sure you fully understand the type of fire extinguisher it is. Also the type of fires it is appropriate and safe to use on. Water and foam based extinguishers should not be used on fires involving an electrical hazard, unless the power [...]

History of Fire Extinguishers

In about 200 BC, Ctesibius of Alexandria invented a hand pump able to deliver water to a fire and it is known that the Romans used bucket chains, buckets passed hand-to-hand to deliver water to the fire. Then, in the middle Ages, ‘squirts’ began to be used to apply jets of water to fires. The [...]

Phase out of Halon in Portable Extinguishers

An effective launch programme by the manufacturers emphasised that Halon 1211 was an all-purpose, efficient medium suitable for any class of fire due to: Its rapid knockdown Its efficiency in terms of the volume and weight of medium required Its safe use in occupied areas and on electrical equipment It being clean in use, with [...]

Fire Alarm Systems

The choice of fire alarm system depends on the building structure, the purpose and use of the building and current legislation. In new or altered buildings the enforcement body is the local building control, and the relevant guidance is explained in section new or altered buildings. All existing buildings except domestic premises are subject to [...]

Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting is lighting for an emergency situation when the main power supply fails.  The loss of mains electricity could be the result of a fire or a power cut and the normal lighting supplies fail. This may lead to sudden darkness and a possible danger to the occupants, either through physical danger or panic. [...]

Escape Route Signs

Index Exit sign design Introduction to BS 5499 Creating an effective sign systems Further information Exit Sign Design. The Euro-sign versus BS 5499 sign The Euro-Sign. The BS 5499 sign. This sign can be purchased as a composite sign or three individual signs. Ever since the introduction of the EEC Directive (EEC/92/58), the sign industry [...]

Fire Safety Signs

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 covers the provision of fire safety signs that are required in the workplace. These Regulations bring into force the EC Safety Signs Directive 92/58/EEC on the provision and use of safety signs at work. The safety Signs Directive which was adopted by all European Union [...]

Industrial Fire sprinklers

Fire Sprinklers were invented in the United Kingdom by Major Harrison in 1864. But like so many good things invented in the UK it was left to be developed abroad by Henry Parmelee in the USA, who wanted to protect his piano factory. Automatic sprinkler systems are used more than any other fixed fire protection [...]

Phase out of Halons

Under the Montreal Protocol Halon 1301, Halon 1211 and Halon 2402 is illegal in developed countries with the following exceptions. Use of Halon 1301 is permitted: in aircraft for the protection of crew compartments, engine nacelles, cargo bays and bays, and fuel tank inerting, in military land vehicles and naval vessels for the protection of [...]

Residential Sprinklers

When fire sprinklers were first invented 140 years ago the Insurance Industry was quick to recognise the benefits of a fire sprinkler system and they encouraged the development of the emergent Industry and still do to this day. However their interest was in property protection so the life safety aspect of fire sprinklers was ignored [...]

Fire Exits

All doors on escape routes leading towards a final exit should be quick and easy to open without the need for a key. In most situations this is the case, for instance you simply operate the door handle of the door leading from an office and pass through. In a hotel room you require a [...]