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A fire hose is made up of rubber and a powder coated drum, as well as a few plastic fittings on the outside. Over time the rubber will become less durable, which you’ll notice when you try to roll it back onto the drum. Eventually you’ll start to see small cracks on the hose, which, again, will only get worse with time until the hose will completely split under the pressure of the water flowing through it, rendering it entirely useless. This could prove devastating if it occurs in the event of a fire.

For the hoses that have plastic nozzles, the rate of deterioration is much faster than for those with brass nozzles, while the red drum itself will fade and rust over time, too, unless they’re properly maintained, which, unfortunately, very few businesses seem to do.

What can you do to extend the life of your fire extinguisher?

Invest in a good quality fire hose cover, and fit it to your extinguisher. It won’t last forever, as it’ll cop all the bad weather, but the cost of replacing a fire hose cover is negligible compared to the cost associated with replacing your fire extinguisher – never mind the cost to life and property should it fail during a fire due to a lack of maintenance.

Alternatively, you may decide to purchase a hose reel cabinet, with a lockable door. A hose reel cabinet is certainly the ultimate protection you can get for your extinguisher, but it doesn’t mean that your hose reel still won’t deteriorate with time. In addition to regularly maintaining your hose reel and having certain parts replaced as they begin to wear, you’ll also need to maintain the cabinet itself. It’s a good idea to clean and dust your cabinet regularly, and ensure its hinges are lubricated often to stop them from seizing and rusting.

Can you have a fire hose reel decommissioned?

One of the most common questions business owners have is whether they can have a hose reel decommissioned to avoid having to repair or replace it. The simple answer to this question is: no. When a building is first built, it’s usually assessed to determine whether it will require a fire hose reel, so if your building has one it’s because it was determined as necessary under the Building Code of Australia.

Having a hose reel assessed for decommission is a costly exercise, and requires a building certifier to do a full appraisal of the premises first, and in most cases, the answer is always no.

What other things can you do?

When it comes to selecting a fire service provider, shop around. No two service providers are the same, and they don’t offer the same service or do the job to the same standard. It’s important that you select a fire service provider that will take the time to discuss any problems that may occur to your fire host reel, and make recommendations as to how they can be resolved.

It’s also wise to regularly inspect your equipment yourself. Check for damage or leaks, and notify your service provider straight away. If start to suspect that there are issues that haven’t been brought to your attention when they should have, ask you service provider why or consider switching providers. If there is ever the need to use your hose reel and it fails, you insurance company may hold you responsible.

Extend the life of your fire hose reel – maintain it regularly, so you’re not caught out.

The post Tips and Advice for Fire Hose Reel Maintenance appeared first on Firechief.

Australian summers get really hot and although we only tend to think about how hot we are getting, it’s important to consider how hot our vehicles get under the relentless Aussie sun. Your car can reach extreme temperatures at this time of year which can sometime lead to mechanical failures and car fires.

When most people think of car fires, they think of it occurring after an accident when in reality only 1% of casualty crashes result in a fire. On the other hand, two thirds of vehicle fires are the result of mechanical or electrical faults.

So how can you be prepared for these kinds of dangers?

Always carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle.

Before grabbing the first fire extinguisher you see at your hardware store, consider that not every extinguisher is the same. Generally ones sold at hardware stores and auto shops have a lower fire rating than those from fire protection suppliers.

What type of fire extinguisher to buy:
– Aim for a 2kg or 2.5kg chemical powder extinguisher but the absolute minimum you should buy is 1kg.
– Make sure your fire extinguisher has a hose attached for protective use.
– Buy the biggest extinguisher you can afford.

How to use a fire extinguisher on a car fire.

An example of a more common car fire is when one occurs under the bonnet. To extinguish the fire, pop the bonnet latch and get out with your extinguisher. This is where you must be careful, if it is not too hot carefully lift the bonnet to its second latch but do not open it right up as the rush of air will fan the flames and you may become engulfed in flames. The best way to do it is to try and extinguish the flames by poking your fire extinguisher hose in the gap between the car body and bonnet and discharge the contents, this is why we recommend a fire extinguisher with a hose. Try not to use all of the contents as you may need it for a flare up afterwards, keep in mind you will only have about 8-10 seconds of powder in a 1kg extinguisher and 14 seconds in a 2.5kg.

Take care with what you wear.

Firefighters wear thick protective gear when extinguishing fires so your beach outfit might not be the best attire for putting out flames. Keep a non-flammable long sleeve top and pants in your vehicle to throw on before you try to use your extinguisher. It is also a good idea to keep a pair of leather gloves, a fire blanket and safety goggles along with your extinguisher.

Carrying a fire extinguisher in your car can save lives.

Whether it’s to put out a fire on your own car or to extinguish flames from a car accident you may have witnessed, having a fire extinguisher in your car is the best preparation for car fires. They don’t take up a lot of room but they could save lives and that is something money can’t buy.

Drive safely this summer – be prepared and fire safe.

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Safety First

Ensure your Christmas lights meet Australian Safety Standards, this can be determined by the Australian Standards number printed on lights. If the lights don’t have this number then it is likely they are poorly manufactured and unsafe to use.

Indoor VS Outdoor

Never use indoor lights outdoors, they aren’t weatherproof and could cause a fire if it rains.

Time to Unwind

Be sure to unwind all electrical leads. Leaving them coiled up could cause heat build up and become a fire hazard. Also, always use extra low voltage globes.

Be Aware of Surroundings

What your Christmas lights are near is just as important as the lights themselves. Keep the lights away from flammables such as curtains, stockings and outdoor bushes. If you have a real Christmas tree then be extra careful, as they are more flammable than synthetic trees.

Power Safety

It’s imperative to upgrade all double adaptors to power boards, not just for Christmas time but also for year round fire safety. Even with a power board, take care not to overload it as they are not foolproof and can still be a danger if not used correctly. It is also a good idea to make sure your house has a safety switch to avoid dangers if children or pets play with the Christmas lights.

Fire safety is not difficult or expensive but a little bit of preparation can go a long way in protecting your family and your home. Be safe this holiday season and always look for ways to improve the fire safety in your home.

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An insurance survey some time ago showed that six in ten house fires start in the kitchen, 40% of which happened during cooking. There are over 11,000 house fires in Australia each year and over 50 deaths. One in five people will experience some form of house fire in their lifetime.

It was interesting to note the South Australian MFS attended 279 house fires in 2012 between April to September. The breakdown was that 221 were cooking fires, 47 home heating fires, 6 electric blanket and 5 clothes dryers. South Australia was the worst state for house fires and it was evident that most homes have no fire protection equipment at all.

Unfortunately every year the same warnings are issued yet people continue to ignore them. People seem to take more notice of an alcohol or junk food advert than the MFS warnings which is quite sad but typifies today’s society. Many families have no problem spending $50 at the local fast food outlet, yet refuse to spend the same amount on a fire extinguisher and fire blanket.

Ask yourselves, what fire protection equipment do I have in the house should there be:

• a kitchen stove fire
• clothing too close to a heater that catches alight
• the outdoor barbeque catches alight

If your answer is “nothing” then you mustn’t care about the safety of your family or housemates. A fire blanket and fire extinguisher could save your lives!

MFS response times are at least seven minutes and often much longer. In that seven minutes your kitchen or lounge room will be engulfed in flames, you now have a major house fire on your hands with significant property damage being the end result.

Much of this could have been avoided for a small outlay of just $50; the financial cost is minimal compared to the human cost that may result.

For those of you with children that get home from school and cook themselves something to eat by themselves, just ask – what would they do in the event of a fire? Most children have no idea how to use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket.

A fire extinguisher and fire blanket make a wonderful present for anyone, and nobody should feel embarrassed about giving them. Yes they may never use them but should that day come they will be thankful for your gift.

Just remember to always call 000 in the event of a fire however small it is, you may think you have put the fire out but fires can reignite. The MFS are trained fire fighters, you are not. If you are capable of fighting the fire with the appropriate equipment then do so but otherwise evacuate to a safe point.

Train your family how to use fire protection equipment as it is of no use at all if nobody in the house knows how to use it. Teach your children at an early age as there is simply no time to read the instructions when a fire occurs. Have a fire evacuation plan, go through a simulated fire evacuation at home, try it with the lights off, what you do today may save your lives tomorrow.

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The end result could be that in the event of an incident your fire extinguisher may not perform to its full capacity or may not perform at all. A quick visual inspection of your fire extinguisher each month is a great way to ensure that your equipment is in good working condition at all times.  See below some tips in keeping your fire extinguisher in good condition.

• Plastic fire extinguisher covers are the best way to keep your fire extinguishers free from the weather, they are inexpensive compared to replacement parts or new extinguishers.
• Fire hose reel covers are a great way to protect your hose reel if it is in full sun.
• Fire extinguisher cabinets are another good form of protection and also provide security for your equipment.

The post How can you make your fire extinguishers last longer? appeared first on Firechief.

It is always a good idea to do a quick visual inspection of your fire equipment on a monthly basis especially if you operate in a harsh environment.

Here are some helpful hints to assist you keeping your equipment in good working order.

• Make sure your fire extinguishers are off the ground or for those on vehicles in a secure bracket; this will reduce the chance of rust on the bottom of your equipment.
• Check that the gauge is in the green zone, see the photos provided, if it is not then call your fire technician as soon as possible. CO2 extinguishers do not have a pressure gauge and must be weighed.
• Ensure that the pull pin is in position and the plastic anti tamper seal is secured.
• Try and keep the head of the fire extinguisher clean and free from dirt, a plastic fire extinguisher cover is a good investment.
• For those of you with vehicles, boats, bobcats etc that have the dry chemical powder extinguishers it is a good practice to remove the extinguisher on a regular basis, turn it upside down and tap around the bottom and sides with a rubber mallet, this ensures that the powder does not compact in the bottom of the extinguisher.

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