It is not unheard of to see fire extinguishers being used as temporary doorstops, especially in conjunction with exit door misuse – but they are also prone to theft and when discharged unnecessarily can cause harm to the environment.
Providing a solution for this common issue, STI created a series of products to help keep in line with emergency exit door and fire extinguisher regulations.
Exit Stopper® door alarm
The Exit Stopper® door alarm is a unique and highly effective way to alert to any unauthorized exits or entries through emergency exit and fire doors; it also serves as an inexpensive security device and helps to prevent theft. The virtually indestructible UV-stabilised polycarbonate housing provides an explicitly visible deterrent.
Fire doors need to be closed to stop the spread of smoke and fire; however, it is worryingly common for fire doors to be dangerously held ajar with 64% of premises visited by the Fire Service having their fire doors wedged open – universities halls of residence, hotels and residential homes are among the worst offenders.
Fines due to breaching health laws
If a person prop opens a fire door and it is seen to put lives at risk, they could suffer large fines
If a person prop opens a fire door and it is seen to put lives at risk, they could suffer large fines, have insurance void, or even face a prison sentence.
In May 2010, a Norwich landlord was fined and jailed after a tenant almost died in a blaze, it was the third time Mike Billings had been prosecuted for breaching fire and health and safety laws – which included wedging open fire doors, showing a disregard for the emergency exit and fire extinguisher regulations.
Automatic silence function
If the protected door is opened, the electronic Exit Stopper will emit a powerful 95/105 dB warning alarm. Once the door is closed several reset options are available including an automatic silence function, this feature is particularly useful for fire doors that are in regular use but are at risk of misuse. A key for authorized personnel can be used to override the alarm.
With multiple fitting options, the versatile Exit Stopper can protect single or double doors with any style of door mounting, the device can be installed and protect your doors within minutes. Units are available in red or green.
Wireless technology
Universal sound symbols and ‘on and off’ function marks have been added for worldwide recognition
The Exit Stopper is available with STI protocol wireless technology enabling wireless monitoring of exit doors that are fitted with the unit. Transmitters are fitted into each of the devices allowing for remote monitoring via a small wireless receiver.
Several new features were introduced in 2018 that have further enhanced the Exit Stopper. Alongside the audible warning alarm, all models are supplied with a visual flashing beacon. Universal sound symbols and ‘on and off’ function marks have been added for worldwide recognition.
Upgraded features
The upgrade includes a low battery indicator and dual-language warning instructions. While all models will still be supplied with English; the housing of the unit has been updated to create space for one of 21 additional language labels to be installed, allowing one model to be used globally.
Mrs. Pawar from the Island Residential Home said, “The residents at the home were continuously leaving the emergency exit doors open. Since the Exit Stoppers were installed, it has proved very successful in deterring the residents from misusing the emergency exits. It has also given the staff piece of mind especially during the night shift.”
Fire extinguisher regulations
Fire extinguisher regulations state that fire extinguishers should be either mounted to a wall or placed in a stand to discourage people from moving them around. However, this advice is regularly ignored with extinguishers commonly used to prop open exit and fire doors due to their frequent proximity.
Required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, appropriate fire-fighting equipment must be provided where there is any risk of fire, with a responsible person in charge of maintaining a fire management plan. Should you fail to meet extinguisher regulations you could find that your insurance will not payout in the event of an incident.
Fire extinguishers are also prone to theft and when discharged unnecessarily pose a risk
Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are also prone to theft and when discharged unnecessarily pose a risk, both to the environment, and nearby persons: ‘fumes from CO2 extinguishers can asphyxiate’ and powder extinguishers have the potential ‘to impair vision'.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 makes the misuse of an extinguisher in the workplace an offense for which someone can be criminally prosecuted, stating in Section 8: “No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.”
Misusing fire extinguisher
In 2017, a Belfast teenager was handed a suspended jail sentence for stealing a fire extinguisher, with the Judge commenting: “The theft of a fire extinguisher is in my mind the equivalent to the theft of a lifebuoy in that it put lives at risk.”
The Theft Stopper® can be used alongside the Exit Stopper to put a stop to this potentially lethal misuse of life safety equipment.
Theft Stopper
The alarm is also convenient in the case of an actual emergency acting as a pre-alarm, helping to alert people
The Theft Stopper is a sturdy, tamperproof, self-contained device that prevents the theft, misuse, and vandalism of fire extinguishers. Strong PVC coated metal rope wraps around the neck of the extinguisher and when removed from the unit will activate a piercing 95/105 dB alarm to alert to any misuse or removal.
The unit will leave the extinguisher accessible for emergencies and will not interfere in the event of a real fire – the alarm is also convenient in the case of an actual emergency acting as a pre-alarm, helping to alert people in the surrounding areas to the fire before an official alarm has sounded.
Easy installation
The compact design of the UV-stabilised polycarbonate unit means it mounts easily next to a vulnerable fire extinguisher, the Theft Stopper is easy to install and a deactivation cable is supplied for ease of servicing the extinguisher.
Recently transitioning from the Extinguisher Stopper® to the Theft Stopper, the STI-6200 model can be used to protect automated external defibrillators (AED), evacuations chairs, and more.
Remote monitoring
Following the same style as the popular Exit Stopper, the newly updated Theft Stopper will feature universal sound symbols and space for 21 different language labels. Wireless options allowing for remote monitoring are available using STI protocol.
Alan Patmore, Fire & Safety Office for the Luton & Dunstable Hospital, said, “Having fitted the Theft Stoppers we no longer have any equipment being stolen over holidays, weekends, and nights. Anybody wanting to protect extinguishers will certainly find value for money by using the Theft Stopper.”
Mini Theft Stopper®
The Mini Theft Stopper® is an inexpensive yet highly effective way to protect fire extinguishers and a wide range of other life safety equipment from theft. The device is compact, highly effective, and extremely versatile – it does not interfere with legitimate operation in any way, and aids in complying with extinguisher regulations.
The simplicity of the design contributes to a high degree of reliability utilizing tough ABS construction; with a magnetic reed switch activation for cabinets and display cases, and unique steel contact clip activation for fire extinguisher pins, and other free-standing equipment.