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Fire Blankets
Fire Extinguishers, Fire Blankets & Accessories
FIRE EXTINGUISHER SCAMS
The following article appeared in the Fire Protection Magazine summer addition
2009. Highlighting Fire Extinguisher servicing scams operating with in the country.
If you have been scammed please phone your local Member of Parliament or The
Office of Consumer Business Affairs.
Fire
Extinguisher Scams
Building owners and building occupiers are responsible for providing a safe working environment. Fire System Services can relieve the burden by providing a risk assessment service to determine your fire protection requirements, and once this is completed advise on the placement and types of fire extinguishers required to ensure compliance with relevant Australian Standards.
Fire System Services supplies high quality, easy to use fire extinguishers manufactured to the Australian Standards and warrants all new extinguishers for a period of 12 months. The manufacturer will extend this warranty to a period of two (2) years if the extinguishers are serviced and maintained on a regular basis every six months in accordance with Australian Standards 1851.
Fire System Services can offer a comprehensive servicing package, which means you can be confident that your fire extinguishers are maintained every six months. Our trained technicians, who are easily identifiable by their uniforms, will regularly visit your premises to ensure that your fire equipment is in proper working order and appropriate to your level of fire risk.
We service, test and maintain ALL BRANDS of fire extinguishers.
Fire Registers / Documentation
Documentation with in the field of building essential services is crucial in today's times. Here at Fire System Services we offer various solutions to help you keep on track with you maintenance requirements.
Upon completion of service, our technician will provide you with a Certificate of Inspection containing a report of all equipment inspected & serviced indicating the next five yearly hydrostatic pressure test dates, along with any comments, recommendations or repairs required.
In Accordance with AS1851 section 15.2.14.1
Where there are more
than 10 portable fire extinguishers located on or in a property a fire register
is
required. Fire System Services offer a service were we asses a site and set
up a fire register.
To View Example click blow
Fire
Equipment Register Header
Fire
Equipment
Register
Quick checklist for fire extinguishers
A: Fire extinguishers must be clearly visible & signage should indicate their location
B: They must be easily accessible
C: The correct type of extinguisher should be located near a fire hazard
D: They must be regularly maintained to Australian standards
This Podcast displays a dry chemical fire extinguisher being used.
DCP
Fire Extinguisher
Which extinguisher?
It is essential to recognise the different types of fire hazards, as the correct treatment for one can prove disastrously wrong for another. Fire System Services technicians can advise you on which extinguisher is required for your risk areas.
Fire Classes |
A |
B |
C |
E |
F |
Special Notes |
types of fire |
paper, wood, plastics |
flammable liquids |
flammable gases |
energized electrical equipment |
cooking oils and fats |
|
Water |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Dangerous if used on flammable liquid, energized electrical equipment and cooking oils and fats. |
Foam AFFF |
YES |
YES |
NO |
NO |
LIMITED |
Dangerous if used on energized electrical equipment |
Wet Chemical |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
YES |
Dangerous if used on energized electrical equipment |
Dry Chemical AB(E) |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
NO |
Look carefully at the extinguisher to determine if it is a B(E) or AB(E) unit as their capabilities are different. |
Dry Chemical |
NO |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Look carefully at the extinguisher to determine if it is a B(E) or AB(E) unit as their capabilities are different. |
Carbon Dioxide |
NO |
LIMITED |
NO |
YES |
LIMITED |
Not suitable for outdoor use. |
Vaporising Liquid |
YES |
LIMITED |
NO |
YES |
NO |
Check the characteristics of the specific extinguishant. |
LIMITED indicates that the
extinguishant is not the agent of choice for that class of fire,
but
that it
may have limited extinguishing capability. |
Fire Extinguisers
Halon BCF Fire Extinguishers
Halon
Legislation
The above link will give you an explanation with the requirements for Halon Fire Extinguishers.
Brands we stock & sell
We currently stock two major brands of fire extinguishers, Flameguard (Chubb) and Fireworld.
Extinguisher Selection
To assist you in making an informed choiced please read the following.
***IMPORTANT NOTE***
Fire extinguishers need to be selected & distributed according to the type
of fire hzard involved as per Australian Standard 2444. It is important to consider
the advantages & disacvantages of each type of extinguishant. The quantity
and type of extinguishers will vary according to the class & size of fire
hazard, size of premises, etc. This is best left to those who are experienced
in the fire industry and we recommend you contact us to obtain an assement of
your fire protection requirements.
Fire
Extinguisher Selection Chart
Note: All Material Safety Data Sheets kindly provided by Wormald Fire, link to Wormald MSDS Page.
Water
Water is the most commonly used extinguisher for Class
A fires involving carbonaceous materials such as wood, paper textile. Water
extinguishers cool the fire by removing the heat needed to sustain burning.
Advantages: Water is usually inexpensive and readily available. It is an effective extinguishant for Class A fires.
Disadvantages: Water is only suitable for Class A fires. It may be dangerous on other classes of fires and must not be used on fires involving energized electrical equipment.
AFFF Foam
MSDS
Foam AFFF
Foam fire extinguishers with AFFF additive, have the effect of improving a water based extinguisher, enabling it to fight Class A and Class B fires.
Advantages: Foam provides a lasting blanket to control the fire after the extinguisher discharge is complete. It can be used as a vapour-suppression barrier over flammable liquid spills.
Disadvantages: The extinguisher is an aqueous solution which requires to be cleaned up after use, particularly on painted surfaces, and must not be used on fires involving energized electrical equipment.
Wet Chemical
MSDS
Wet Chemical
Wet Chemical extinguishers contain a special potassium acetate based agent for use on fires involving cooking oils or fats.
Advantages: This extinguisher provides rapid knockdown of fires involving cooking oils or fats and provides a lasting foam blanket to control the fire after the extinguisher discharge is complete.
Disadvantages: The solution is usually alkaline, and consequently will corrode some metals, especially aluminium. It may also irritate eyes and skin. Prompt clean up is advised. It must not be used on fires involving energized electrical equipment.
Dry Chemical Powder
DCP
Fire Extinguisher
MSDS
Dry Chemical ABE
MSDS
Dry Chemical BE
MSDS
Dry Chemical D
MSDS
Dry Chemical Monnex
MSDS
Nitrogen
Multipurpose ABE powder is a versatile extinguishant which is used to extinguish Class A (carbonaceous) fires achieved by sealing burning embers, it is also used on Class B (flammable liquid) fires and Class E (electrical) fires.
Advantages: Powder provides a rapid 'knock-down' for a range of fires types. When dry it may be cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner.
Disadvantages: On discharge, the extinguisher forms a dense cloud of powder which may temporarily restrict vision and may cause respiratory irritation. AB(E) powder, when it contacts very hot objects, can melt and form a film which may be difficult to remove. After initial 'knock-down', it gives no protection against re-ignition of flammable liquid fires. While B(E) powder is not effective on class A fires, AB(E) powder is not effective on fires involving cooking oils and fats.
Commercial Vehicle Application
The 2.3kg dry chemical
fire extinguisher class ABE, is supplied with a hose & wrap
around vehicle bracket.
Making this fire extinguisher approved for commercial vehicle application.
NB: In accordance with Australian
Standard 2444 section 5.4.
For a car, caravan, small craft and the like, it is stressed that a fire extinguisher
is provided for the initial stages of a fire. To gain access to awkward locations,
consideration shall be given to the provision of an extinguisher fitted with
a hose.
For commercial vehicles, consideration shall be given to the type of vehicle, the cargo being carried and the requirements of the regulatory authority. Every fire extinguisher for use in commercial vehicles shall be of a type fitted with a hose to assist in gaining access to awkward locations.
Class D Dry Chemical
Class
D Fire Extinguisher
Class D fire extinguishers are specifically designed for combustible metal
fires. Fires involving metals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium and sodium-potassium
alloys are extinguishable with the Class D extinguisher. This is ideal for
a metal shop and other places where metals are heated.
Carbon Dioxide
MSDS
Carbon Dioxide
NB: In accordance with Australian Standards 2444 section 4.4.2 Significant
Swithboards.
A 5kg carbon dioxide extinguisher, or anther type of extinguisher having a minimum
classification of 1A:E and fitted with a hose, shall be provided and shall be
the extinguisher closest to the switchboard.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is used on Class B (flammable liquid) fires. CO2 is safe to be used on live electrical fires. CO2 fire extinguishers are available in a variety of sizes with light weight aluminium cylinders.
Advantages: Carbon Dioxide leaves no residue, is safe for use on fires involving energized electrical equipment, and is effective on fires in locations such as semi-sealed enclosures, which cannot be readily penetrated by non-gaseous extinguishants. It is the preferred extinguishant for use for in electronic environments.
Disadvantages: Carbon Dioxide has very poor 'knock-down', short discharge range and is almost totally ineffective in the presence of significant air movements. Because it displaces oxygen, atmospheres containing enough carbon dioxide to extinguish a fire do not contain enough oxygen to support life and could kill by asphyxiation. The carbon dioxide fire extinguisher discharges forming a cloud of very cold gas and some solids (dry ice). It produces a loud noise during discharge that may startle inexperienced operators.
Halotron "Vaporising Liquid"
Halotron
Product
Specs
Halotron
MSDS
Halotron is a “Clean Agent” HydroChloroFluoroCarbon
(HCFC) discharged as a rapidly evaporating liquid which leaves no residue.
It effectively extinguishes
Class A and B fires by cooling and smothering and it will not conduct
electricity back to the operator.
Halotron is pressurised with Argon gas and
is an EPA and FAA approved agent suitable for use on Class A, B and E fires.
It has a low GWP of 0.04 - 0.24, low ODP of 0.014 (twelve times lower than
the EPA maximum allowable ODP of 0.20)
and a low Atmospheric Lifetime (31/2
to 11 years).
Halotron is intended for use in areas formerly protected by Halon 1211 (BCF)
hand portable extinguishers such as computer rooms,
telecommunications facilities,
clean rooms, data storage areas, offices (for protection of sensitive
electronic equipment), boats and vehicles.
Aviation Application
For the aviation industry, Halotron is available 1.2kg size cylinder which
makes it ideal for installation with in cockpits.
The fire extinguisher is supplied
with a wrap around bracket.
Automatic Dry Chemical Powder Extinguishers
6kg automatic powder extinguisher
330mm high, 240mm diameter. Comes complete with
bracket.
Easily mounted. Fires automatically once the temperature reaches 63degrees
Celsius.
Ideal for flammable liquids areas or other unmanned flammable areas.
9kg automatic powder extinguisher
400mm high, 240mm diameter. Comes complete
with bracket.
Easily mounted. Fires automatically once the temperature reaches 63degrees
Celsius.
Ideal for flammable liquids areas or other unmanned flammable areas.
Fire Blankets
Sizes Available |
1.0m x 1.0m |
1.2m x 1.2m |
1.2m x 1.8m |
1.8m x 1.8m |
NB: In accordance with Australian
Standard 2444 section 6.2.
Where a "human torch" fire is considered part of the risk, a fire blanket of
size 1.2m x 1.8m or 1.8m x 1.8m shall be provided.
Fire Blankets are a flexible sheet of non flammable material which can be used to smother small contained fires and may also provide a thermal barrier.
Advantages: Light manageable protection against a number of fire risks, including clothing fires, and the blanket requires minimum maintenance.
Disadvantages: The effectiveness of a blanket against a cooking oil or fat fire depends on obtaining a good physical seal between the blanket and the rim of the container. If any physical constraints of either the user or the shape or size of the container make this unlikely or impossible then the effectiveness of the blanket will be greatly reduced. Smaller sizes of blankets may not be satisfactory for clothing fires on adults.
Accessories
We offer a full line of accessories to compliment
our fire extinguisher line.
Hand Held Sirens
The SHH (alloy construction) and the SHHP (plastic construction), are
light hand held sirens perfect for use in office, school, domestic, camping/hiking
and marine applications. When the handle is wound the siren makes a typical
“air raid” style sound, lower pitch if rotated slower and higher
if rotated faster with a finger control for volume control.
The hand wound operation means that siren is always ready for use: requires no batteries or electrical power. The operation is simple with little or no training required.
Cast aluminium and moulded plastic versions which are available to suit the requirements of robustness for heavy or light use or weight for ease of carrying and for smaller users such as children. A storage/carry case is provided with each unit.
Rated 105-110dB @ 1mt
Weighs 0.7Kg Plastic & 1.2Kg Alloy
Anti Theft Devices
Fed up with replacing or recharging misused fire extinguishers?
Here is an effective way to stop such theft and vandalism! This stopper
uses a time-tested,
steel-cable-operated switch mechanism. It allows the extinguisher to be used
for fire fighting at any time, but sounds a piercing alarm when the extinguisher
is moved from its normal position. Easy to install
and fits all fire extinguisher models. Its highly visible "stop sign" design
is a deterrent itself.
Also an extremely effective way in letting every one within an mediate area know that there is a fire happing and a fire extinguisher is been taken to be used.
How it works.
If the protected fire extinguisher is moved from its normal position, the
device emits a piercing alarm.
Also, the highly visible stop sign design and
the words "STOP, EMERGENCY USE ONLY" discourages wrongful use.
The
device is easy to install and a deactivation cable is supplied for ease in
servicing the extinguisher. Includes a 9-VDC alkaline battery.
Recommended
operating range 32ºF to 120ºF (0ºC to 49ºC).
Product
SoundTheft
Stopper Data SheetTheft
Stopper Installation Sheet Cabinets
Plastic Fire Extinguisher Cabinets
We offer both non lockable plastic cabinets suited
for
both indoor & outdoor
applications. Our outdoor cabinets are manufactured with an ultra violet rated
cover so the extinguisher is not effected by outdoor conditions.
Metal Fire Extinguisher Cabinets
We
offer both non lockable & lockable metal cabinets suited for both indoor & outdoor
applications.
Heavy Duty Vehicle Brackets
Vehicle brackets are manufactured in plain galvanised
or powder coated matt black finish. Their application is suited for 4.5kg to
9.0kg
extinguishers.
Outdoor Covers
We can offer both vinyl outdoor covers or clear plastic
covers, this application is mainly seen on various trucks.
Signage
We carry a large manner of fire signs including illumines exit signs.
