Firefighters rush to student block blaze in Coventry
Firefighters were called to a reports of a blaze at a student accommodation block in Coventry. The fire crews were dispatched to Hillman House around 1.45pm on Sunday (20th November).
The fire crews who were dispatched from Coventry and Foleshill Fire Stations were called to the flats on Corporation Street. The crews managed to get the fire under control within an hour and left the scene shortly after.
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that the cause of the fire was a pan being left on the stove. Thankfully, the residents are said to have not been harmed in the incident.
Stories like this is why we stress prioritising fire safety in all homes and accommodations. Students are likely not educated on fire safety and different types fire extinguishers.
So for in those situations we recommend fire blankets and all firexo fire extinguishers as they do not require as much training.
Fire blankets are an excellent choice for any domestic properties as they can be used without formal training. A Firexo fire extinguisher can be used on any class of fire, so cannot be mixed up in a panic and used incorrectly.
Fire Safety Signs Regulations Summary
The basic fire safety regulations for signs are as follows. According to this legislation, workplaces should follow the below stipulations:
- All fire safety signs should clearly and effectively mark escape routes and exits
- Fire doors and escape routes must be clearly marked
- Signage must be displayed along an exit route
- All fire safety signs should be illuminated
- Escape route signs should feature direction arrows
- Emergency exit signs above fire doors should not have arrows
- All fire escape route signs should be in picture form
- Braille and tactile fire safety signage should also be displayed
- Signage should be visible from a distance and at an appropriate height
- Employees should be trained in the use of fire extinguishers
- Employees should be aware of the location fire alarms
- Employees should be trained in what to do in the event of fire
- All fire-fighting equipment must be clearly identified
What are the Fire Safety Signs?
Fire safety signs are designed to provide safety information, warnings about hazards, or to give information. Fire safety signs and symbols come in the different colours such as red, green, yellow or blue. In the fire safety regulations for signs it states how signs must be visible. Therefore quite often, fire safety signs are photo-luminescent so that they can be seen in the dark or through smoke.
There are four main categories of fire safety signs:
Fire Action Notice Signs
These signs provide information on what to do in case of fire. They will display the phone number of the fire brigade, what exits to use if there is a fire, where the assembly points are, and any additional information. Fire action notices must be displayed by fire alarms and at final exit doors.
Fire Exit, Fire Door and Fire Assembly Signs
Although some premises that have simple layouts may not require fire exit signs, they are mandatory for complex buildings. Some premises may require directional signs that show the shortest escape routes.
Fire doors must carry a sign that states: โFire door, keep shutโ. Some fire doors will require signage that provides instructions on how to open the door.
Fire assembly signs show where employees or inhabitants must gather once they have exited the building. The assembly point should be far enough away from the premises to avoid hazardous debris and ensure that the emergency services personnel can operate without hindrance. Assembly points should be accessible for old, young, or disabled people.
Fire Equipment and Fire Alarm Signs
If a fire breaks out, then employees will need to know what firefighting equipment they should use and where to access it. These signs will usually be affixed to the walls next to fire extinguishers or on the extinguishers stands themselves.
Fire alarm signs must be clearly positioned next to alarms and call-points. They will often have fire action notices next to them to provide information for the person who is raising the alarm.
Warning and Prohibition Signs
Warning signs alert employees to fire hazards on the premises. This can include flammable substances such as gas, chemicals or oil. Prohibition signs are used to stop people from engaging in activities that may heighten fire risks, for example, smoking or using naked flames. Warning and prohibition signs are often grouped together.
What do Blue Signs Mean in Fire Safety?
Blue safety signs contain information on mandatory actions that must be carried out to maintain fire safety. They are circular and feature white text or graphics.
What do Red Signs Mean in Fire Safety?
Red fire safety signs provide information on the location of firefighting equipment, supplementary information, or information on prohibited actions. Prohibition signs are circular with red borders, white backgrounds and black text and graphics. Fire equipment signs are square shaped with red backgrounds featuring white text and graphics.
What do Yellow Signs Mean in Fire Safety?
Yellow fire safety signs are warning signs that provide information on flammable substances in the immediate area. They are usually โ although not always โ triangular in shape with yellow backgrounds, black borders and black text and graphics.
The Best Fire Extinguishers for Cars
What is the best fire extinguisher for cars? To answer that question, first the features of a great fire extinguisher for cars must be looked at. So for an Extinguisher to be the right fit for a car, it has to be able to deal with:
- Class A Fires (Wood, Paper or Any Carbonaceous materials)
- Class B Fires (Flammable Liquids)
- Class C Fires (Flammable Gases)
Bearing this in mind there are only a few extinguishers that can combat all of these classes of fire.
This then makes a Dry Powder fire extinguisher the most suitable and affordable choice. These extinguishers however arenโt recommended for use within a confined space so should be avoided for use inside motorhomes and caravans when there are people close. But instead for those cases a AFF Foam fire extinguisher is recommended.
Here at Fireology we have a great range of products that would be suitable for use in cars, caravans and motorhomes. It is important that the right type of extinguisher is used on each fire, we aim to aid that choice with our expertise here at Fireology.
Our pick of the best fire extinguisher for cars is :
- CommanderEDGE 1kg ABC Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher
Or
- CommanderEDGE 2kg ABC Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher
In the UK fire extinguishers aren’t required by law, but in other European countries they do. So to find out what safety equipment is required in different countries across Europe, click the link here and find our blog post about safety regulations whilst driving across Europe.
A Guide to the Classes
Introduction
This is a guide into all the different classes of fire that our extinguishers aim to combat. This guide is designed to help you make the correct decision with fire safety. When it comes to choosing the correct type of fire extinguishers for your specific needs, we are here to help.
This guide of the classes will show what the differences between the classes are and what makes each class of fire unique. We will also tell you what extinguishers are able to combat each class of fire.
Class A Fires
Class A fires are generally caused by a naked flame or items of high temperatures coming into contact with combustible materials. Class A fires are fires involving solids such as paper or cardboard, any carbonaceous item fires are defined as Class A fires. This is the most common type of fire as these items are the most combustible and are the most common type of fuel.
Almost all premises are at risk of Class A fires due to the common use of such materials. There are many types of fire extinguisher that can be used on Class A fires. These are: Water, Foam, MultiCHEM, Powder, Wet Chemical and Water Mist.
Class B Fires
Class B fires are fires involving flammable liquids, these can be any of the likes of:ย Cleaning fluids, Solvents, Fuels, Inks, Adhesives and Paints. Class B fires only make up for 2% of all fires but make up a massive 21% of all fire deaths. This Class of fires are extremely dangerous, this is why many different types of extinguisher aim to tackle them to try to protect the users. The main key to staying safe from Class B fires is prevention, this is why up to date COSHH assessments are key.ย For the initial stages of Class B fires, a fire bucket could be used, link to our blog post on fire buckets here.
Many settings may have a risk of a potential Class B fire. This is why most locations must have a fire extinguisher that is fit to fight such a fire. Fire extinguishers suitable for Class B fires are: MultiCHEM, Foam, Powder and CO2.
Class C Fires
Class C fires are fires involving flammable gases. This could be natural gas, LPG or any other gases forming a flammable or explosive atmosphere. Class C fires can be tackled with fire extinguishers. Although, the best method of stopping these types of fires is shutting off the supply of the gas.
Manufacturing and industrial warehouses, chemical plants or anywhere that stores large quantities of flammable gases are at particular risk of Class C fires. Class C fires must be tackled using a Powder fire extinguisher.
Class D Fires
Class D fires are niche so therefore are not covered by the conventional types of fire extinguishers. Class D fires are fires involving combustible metals such as potassium, lithium and magnesium. This type of fire is uncommon but is more prevalent in laboratories, warehouses and metal fabricators.
Only specialised fire extinguishers are suitable for use on Class D fires. These are: L2 and M28 fire extinguishers.
Electrical Fires
Electrical fires aren’t their own class of fire because they are seen as more a form of ignition than a fuel. Electrical fires are a risk to all premises that use electricity. They occur when live electrical equipment is involved in a fire. They must not be tackled by a liquid-based fire extinguisher. This is because water is a conductor and will spread the current across a greater area if used. This could potentially endangering the user of the fire extinguisher.
As a result, only Powder (for electrical currents under 1000v) and CO2 fire extinguishers are suitable here, as they do not rely on a liquid agent.
Class F Fires
Class F fires are fires involving deep fat frying and spillages of flammable oils near heat sources. This type of fire poses the highest risk to restaurants and kitchens. These types of fires can be made significantly worse by using a liquid-based agent to extinguish it.
As a result, specialised MultiCHEM, Water Mist and Wet Chemical fire extinguishers are essential. These extinguishers are used in settings that use cooking fats or oils.