Expert Fire Solutions believes dry powder extinguishers should be used indoors unless specified by a Fire Risk Assessment.
Problems with Powder
- Loss of Visibility- when discharged, there’s a sudden loss of visibility, which could temporarily jeopardize escape, rescue, or other emergency action.
- Breathing Difficulties- the powder can cause breathing problems and trigger asthma attacks in some people if inhaled.
- Clearing Up- it’s real messy, the fine powder will get into every small nook and cranny making cleaning-up difficult and time-consuming.
- Electrical Damage- the powder can cause significant damage, destroying stock, machinery, electrical equipment including computer hard drives.
- Property Damage- if left in-situ the powder can adversely affect almost every material it comes into contact with, stonework, fabrics, and metals.
- Food Contamination- if set off in a kitchen environment, the powder will contaminate food which will need to be thrown away.
Massive Clean-Up Operation
In 2009, £250,000 worth of damage was caused after a single dry powder extinguisher was used in an act of vandalism in a Grade 1 listed church in Lincolnshire.
The extensive clean-up involved dismantling and re-building the organ, scaffolding had to be erected to allow for the specialist cleaning of stonework and windows. The Diocese of Lincoln recommended the replacement of all dry powder extinguishers in churches.
Dry powder extinguishers
Dry powder extinguishers are great on fuels as they have a very fast knock-down effect to quickly extinguish flames
Having dry powder extinguishers on the premises could potentially invalidate insurance unless the fire risk assessment states that a particular risk within the building cannot be protected by any other type of extinguisher.
There is a place for dry powder extinguishers; they are great on fuels as they have a very fast knock-down effect to quickly extinguish flames.
Generally speaking, dry powder extinguishers are often used in industrial environments, factory-type buildings, outside, or open areas. Again, it must be stressed that they should only be installed if the fire risk assessment deems them necessary.
How to Help?
It’s odd to think of a fire extinguisher doing more harm than good buts it’s so important to have the right extinguisher in the right place. As well as having a suitable extinguisher in place, knowing how to use them is vital should the worst ever happen.
Expert Fire Solutions can offer fire training courses with hands-on live fire training. The BAFE trained engineers know their extinguishers and which ones are right for the business.