According to Checkfire, our leading supplier of fire safety equipment, “during the winter months, it’s vital that extra consideration is given to maintain fire safety and protect lives.”
The company goes on to say that when fire extinguishers are exposed to extremely low temperatures, their contents can freeze, rendering them ineffective in the event of a fire. BS 5306 stipulates the importance of protecting all fire extinguishers in public access environments from accidental damage, tampering and adverse weather conditions.
Many settings, such as garage forecourts and holiday parks for example, may need to keep fire extinguishers outdoors to ensure fire safety. In addition, multi-occupancy residential properties or shared offices may keep a fire extinguisher near the fire exit or in stairwells where there is no heating. The risk during winter is that cold temperatures will freeze the contents of fire extinguishers, rendering them unusable in the event of a fire. Read full article here.
With this advice in mind, the team at Hartson Fire has come up with the following guidelines for protecting your fire extinguishers during the colder months which always bring harsher weather conditions.
The most cost-effective way of keeping your fire extinguisher protected from the elements is to invest in a fire extinguisher cover. These covers purchased from us cost just £6.45 + VAT for small size and £7.95 + VAT for the large size and will keep your equipment dry and covered from the rain to prevent corrosion.
Our covers are made from quality PVC with a clear viewing panel so you can identify the correct fire extinguisher should you have several different types in place. They give full protection in a harsh environment and the Velcro fastening make it easy to remove the cover in case of an emergency
These covers can be used to cover extinguishers which are fitted onto walls. In fact, a cover can be left on all year round as they are effective in the prevention of any tampering or accidental damage as well as free from dust and debris.
Similar to covers, fire extinguisher jackets are also great protection from the weather but tend to be used in specific environments such as a garage workshops or construction sites to protect equipment from sparks and flames.
Another option is to purchase a cabinet to protect your fire extinguisher from potential damage or of any kind, including bad weather conditions. Though more expensive than a cover, with prices from £55 + Vat for a single cabinet, they are solid, durable, long-lasting and shatter proof.
Our cabinets come with weather seals which protect them from rain, snow and ice as well as preventing unnecessary corrosion. Cabinets can be use both indoor and out, can also be fitted to walls and can be alarmed and locked too. These security measures won’t hamper the use of an extinguisher in case of a fire as keys are visible and accessible from the front of the cabinet.
As well as fire extinguishers, covers, jackets and cabinets at Hartson Fire we stock a range of other fire equipment accessories including stands, trolleys, fire buckets and key boxes. These products can be ordered directly from us by calling the number below or ordered online here.
