Fire Depot

What workplace fire safety products do I need?

lucy.green@senturagroup.com (Lucy Green) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:43:19 +0000

Trying to keep employees, visitors, and workers safe is both a legal and moral obligation for business owners, health and safety officers, and the dedicated ‘responsible person’. But workplace fire safety can be a confusing issue! Different regulations, options, and innovations can be hard to keep on top of. We’re here to help, with the essentials you need to keep your workplace fire safe.

Workplace Fire Safety Essentials

There are, of course, different requirements and suitable equipment for each industry. A qualified fire risk assessor can help you establish the risks of your workplace and provide advice on how to combat these risks.

There are some key essentials that every workplace needs, regardless of whether it is an office, warehouse, factory, or public building, though.

We’re going to focus on these workplace fire safety essentials in this blog but you can find out more about your industry specifically on the Firechief website.

Relevant Fire Extinguishers

Every workspace needs at least one fire extinguisher.

The number and different types of extinguishers required will depend on the size of your premises and the fire risks related to your office, factory, or warehouse.

There are lots of fire extinguisher options out there: foam, powder, CO2, wet chem, PFAS-free foam, water, water mist…and that’s before you start factoring in the difference in sizes!

Thankfully we have a useful blog that details which fire extinguisher/s are needed for each type of fire. From this, you’ll be able to judge which would best suit your workplace and the specific fire risks.

A quick round-up is as follows:

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguisher: Ideal for all electrical risks and where oils and spirits etc. are in use as it is harmless to delicate equipment and materials.
• Foam Fire Extinguisher: A good solution for multi-risk usage.
• Wet Chemical Extinguisher: Will cool burning oils and reduce re-ignition of the flames.
• Water Fire Extinguisher: A well-performing, multiple-purpose extinguisher.
• Water Additive Fire Extinguisher: Contains a powerful 'EcoSpray' additive and works well where manual handling restrictions apply.
• Powder Fire Extinguisher: Can tackle most fires which involve wood, paper, flammable liquids and electrics. Powder Fire extinguishers can also be used on vehicle fires and can be stored in cars or commercial vehicles.

Lithium-ion Battery Fire Fighting Products

Lithium-ion batteries power a vast range of devices we use daily, from smartphones and laptops to power tools and electric vehicles. While these batteries offer convenience and efficiency, they also carry a potential risk of fire when overcharged, improperly stored, or damaged.

A single battery malfunction can quickly escalate into a devastating fire, putting lives at risk and causing irreparable damage to your business.

There are multiple products that can help reduce the risk of battery fires, such as storage bags, and suppression granules, and products that can help fight the fires once they’ve started.

To find out more, there is a wealth of knowledge on batteryfiresafety.co.uk.

Fire Blankets

The majority of workplaces have a kitchen or canteen area.

No kitchen area is complete without a fire blanket to smother flames should the need arise.

But not just used for kitchens, fire blankets can also be used to smother flames on a person, for instance, when their clothes have caught fire.

A fire blanket is an adaptable and flexible piece of fire-fighting equipment. Available in a range of sizes and in either a hard or soft case, the blanket is accessed simply by pulling on the Velcro strips.

To learn about all things fire blankets, check out this blog.

Fire Alarm Systems

Fire alarms are a major factor in workplace fire safety. They are essential for every building in a business and should be tested weekly.

There is a wide range of fire alarm systems out there with both battery and mains power operation.

Visual alarms are also extremely useful for warehouses and factories as they offer a dual warning with the use of red LED technology as well as an audible alarm to draw the attention of all employees in its range.

The many options available can be confusing, we have a quick guide to commercial fire alarm systems here to help.

Fire Exit Signs

Fire exit signs are essential for all businesses to guide users to the correct exit.

Panic, and the instinct to use the usual exit when the fire alarm sounds, can lead to awful consequences. Minimise these risks as much as possible with clear, easy-to-follow signage which can direct people to the safest route.

You can get emergency exit boxes and exit hanging signs which use long-life LEDs for maximum durability in the case of a fire. There are many options to suit every workplace.

A comprehensive guide to fire safety signs can be found here.

Emergency Lighting

During a fire, there is an increased risk of the main power supply cutting out.

Emergency lighting can be crucial for employees and customers to exit the building safely.

But the function of emergency lighting is not to illuminate a building when the power goes out. The role of emergency lighting is to illuminate key areas that are required in an emergency.

There are lots of options to choose from, and many can operate in emergency mode for up to 3 hours, or maybe more in some cases!

You can read this blog for more information on this important subject.

Fire Safety Logbooks and Cabinets

Each workplace has essential documentation relating to fire safety that should be kept secure.

It is crucial to keep all documents that a fire officer would need, such as Fire Safety Logbooks, fire equipment maintenance records, and plans relating to the building, in a safe place.

Logbooks and lockable fire safety document storage cabinets can be bought online or in stores to ensure that all your information is in one place.

Not convinced? Read our full blog here.

First Aid Kits

Accidents of all kinds occur, and having a first aid kit with all its contents intact is essential.

Over the years, various bits and pieces may have been used but not replaced.

However, not only are you responsible for supplying a first aid kit, but you are also accountable for replacing expired or used products within the kit, so regularly take note of what is missing to ensure that your business is prepared for any accident!

Useful Workplace Fire Safety Resources

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years, we know the fire protection and prevention business inside out. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any of our fire safety products. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.uk or visit https://www.firedepot.co.uk/ to see our full range of fire safety products.

The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.

Startling statistic in fire safety for tradespeople study

lucy.green@senturagroup.com (Lucy Green) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 08:00:49 +0000

Tradespeople, such as locksmiths, electricians, and builders, face many fire risks throughout their work but a shocking statistic from an IronmongeryDirect study looking at fire safety for tradespeople shows that 85% of tradespeople wouldn’t know what to do in the event of a fire at work.

On top of this, only 12% of workers have access to a fire extinguisher at all times and 85% do not have one in their vehicle at all.

Fire Safety for Tradespeople

As detailed in the ‘Protect My’ section of the Firechief website, each industry and trade has its own specific set of challenges when it comes to fire safety and prevention.

A thorough risk assessment needs to be undertaken for each workplace, as the Fire Industry Association CEO, Ian Moore, points out: “A fire risk assessment should determine, through thorough inspection, any potential risks or hazards so that they may be resolved.”

Whether part of a large business or a sole trader, each and every tradesperson should be aware of the risks they face every day and have some knowledge and training in fire safety and actions to take should a fire ever break out.

Fire Risks in the Workplace

There are a multitude of risks associated with the construction industry and trades. Fire risks in the workplace are often overlooked even though they can be deadly.

Electrical equipment powered by Lithium-ion batteries, such as mobile devices, laptops, and tools, present a unique risk (you can read more about it here.)

EduCare also points out that dust can also be a cause of fire in the workplace, with wood and plastic build-up able to cause equipment breakdown or failure.

Hot work such as flame cutting, welding, grinding, soldering, or paint stripping also all pose fire risks.

Other fire risks in these environments can include processes using flammable substances; faulty electrical apparatus or machinery; faulty or unattended equipment in portacabin kitchenettes and tea rooms and carelessly discarded smoking materials coming into contact with flammable items.

Staying Safe in the Workplace

The survey found that 86% of tradespeople wouldn’t know the difference between electrical, gas, or chemical fires. This knowledge is crucial in knowing how to effectively fight a blaze so educating yourself or others on the differences and how to fight them is essential (you can find our handy blog here!)

The main advice given by IronmongeryDirect following the survey is to:

Follow regulations
Regularly maintain all equipment
Store tools in a safe place

Liked this blog? You might find some of these helpful:

How to use an extinguisher safely and effectively

Firechief hot work kit

What is a fire risk assessment

5 common mistakes when putting out a fire

How to mitigate the risk of a lithium-ion battery fire

Lithium-ion battery fire suppression granules for the workplace

“Over a third of businesses do not have suitable fire risk assessments in place,” new survey finds

Lithium-ion Battery Fire Suppression Granules for the Workplace

lucy.green@senturagroup.com (Lucy Green) — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 08:29:48 +0000

Workplaces have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their premises and staff. A rising issue for business owners, health and safety officers, and responsible people, is the threat of Lithium-ion battery fires in a multitude of industries. This is where Lithium-ion battery fire suppression granules and Lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers can give peace of mind and protection.

Understanding the Risks

As you may know, the increasing use of Lithium-ion batteries in various devices has undoubtedly brought numerous advancements. However, with this technology’s growth, the risk of fire incidents has also risen significantly. A single battery malfunction can quickly escalate into a devastating fire, putting lives at risk and causing irreparable damage to your business.

Organisations at risk include emergency fire and rescue services, courier services and logistics providers, recycling centres and consumer recycling points, transport operators and passenger hubs, and aerospace OEMs.

Introducing Firechief PyroFlow Fire Suppression Granules

These Lithium-ion battery fire suppression granules are specifically designed to smother and suppress lithium-ion battery fires rapidly. Their unique composition acts swiftly to eliminate the flames at their source, minimizing damage and reducing downtime in your workplace.

Firechief PyroFlow is a new and environmentally friendly suppression agent made from expanded glass granulate. It can be used for firefighting and preventative fire protection. It contains tiny internal pores which form a partially closed cell structure. Since the granulate is 100% mineral-based, it is non-combustible.

There are two products in the range: Active and Passive.

The PyroFlow Active Fire Suppression Granules can be used to fight and suppress fires in Lithium-ion battery cells and flammable metals. It is used once a fire has broken out, effectively binding liquids and filtering gases.

Alternatively, the PyroFlow Passive Fire Suppression Granules can be used as a thermally stable packaging filler when Lithium-ion batteries are present. The granules will melt in the case of thermal runaway, smothering, suppressing, and encapsulating the Lithium-ion battery or batteries.

The Firechief Pyroflow products are the most affordable, effective way to contain and isolate Lithium-ion battery fires.

They are eco-friendly, non-toxic, easy to use and lightweight.

New Lithium-ion Battery Fire Suppression Granules Video

Firechief have produced a new video to assist in the process of choosing, purchasing, and using the Firechief PyroFlow range.

This range is essential for many workplaces, not only giving peace of mind in transporting and storing Lithium-ion batteries but also giving employees and business owners an effective tool in the event of a Lithium-ion battery fire.

You can find out more in the video or on the Firechief website.

Lithium-ion Battery Fire Extinguishers for Small Devices

lucy.green@senturagroup.com (Lucy Green) — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:18:20 +0000

Lithium-ion battery fires can occur unexpectedly due to overcharging, improper storage, or physical damage to the battery.

Introducing the FLE500 and FLE1

The Firechief Lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers are compact and user-friendly. These extinguishers are suitable for home offices, workshops, and commercial spaces, offering unparalleled protection in case of emergencies.

The compact and lightweight FLE500 is a 500ml Lith-Ex fire extinguisher that is suitable for use on smaller Lithium-ion battery devices such as tablets and mobiles. Simply dropping or crushing your mobile phone can cause it to catch fire. Overcharging and charging malfunctions can also cause your mobile phone to catch fire. Lithium-ion battery fires can quickly exceed temperatures of 800°C – three times hotter than an oven!

This 500ml extinguisher is popular as a home or office fire extinguisher as it is effective but smaller in size.

Similarly to FLE500, the FLE1 lith-ex fire extinguisher for lithium-ion batteries is small and lightweight. Also designed specifically for use on lithium battery fires, it comes with CE certification, is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, includes a 5-year warranty, and is suitable for use on laptops and tablets.

Securing your workplace

Fires in the workplace can lead to immense damage, loss of productivity, and even injury. Ensure your customers’ workplaces are equipped with the FLE500 and FLE1 extinguishers, so they can confidently mitigate the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and other potential fire hazards.

To find out more, head to the Firechief website or contact our Customer Success team today.

What you need to know about Foam fire extinguishers and the environment

alison.tully@senturagroup.com (Alison Tully) — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:59:15 +0000

We have had a growing number of questions from customers who are concerned about fire-fighting foams that contain or may contain Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) or Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). These fluorine chemicals are associated with C8 technology, are extremely stable and remain mobile in the environment for many decades.

In the article below, we try to clear the confusion by answering the questions that have been asked.

Do I really need foam fire extinguishers?

Foam is first and foremost an extinguishing agent for Class B (flammable liquid) fires in open containers and is not really needed in most of the premises it has been installed into. CO2 extinguishers, which are usually paired with foam extinguishers at fire points, have a Class B rating suitable for the limited amounts of Class B risk in a typical office or shop. Powder extinguishers have high Class B ratings and are more suited to spill or running liquid fires than foam, and such fires are more likely than large open top container fires.

The historical reason for the proliferation of foam dates back to when the main extinguishers were 9 litre water jet models. These had a 13A rating (covering 200 square metres of floorspace), were very heavy (14kg) and not safe on electrical equipment. Often a lighter 4.5 or 6 litre water extinguisher was preferred but as they were only 8A rated (covering 100 square metres) users had to install double the number. The 5.5 litre Foam Spray extinguisher had the advantage of being lighter, yet with a 13A rating didn’t need installing in pairs, was safer near electrical equipment due to the spray nozzle and had the advantage of a Class B capability.

Modern water or water additive extinguishers with a spray nozzle in 3 or 6 litre size now have the same (or better) Class A ratings as foam, as well as the safety near electrical equipment and would actually suit many locations, so users should consider phasing these in when a foam extinguisher is due a 5-year extended service. Water mist extinguishers are also another option as these have Class F (cooking oil) ratings so are a potential alternative to PFAS containing wet chemical or ABF foams.

I have foam extinguishers – do I need to replace them?

If your extinguishers have been subject to regular servicing including refilling during Extended Service at 5 years (or replacement) then they are unlikely to contain PFOS or PFOA and so can remain in service pending future legal developments. Even if a ban is brought in, there is likely to be a lead in period allowing natural phase out of existing extinguishers as was the case with AFFF containing PFOA.

If the extinguisher is very old with no service record or no verifiable refill record then it should be assumed to be potentially containing PFOS or PFOA and environmentally disposed of.

The same dates and principles would apply to wet chemical/ABF foam extinguishers that have PFAS as part of the contents.

Can I discharge foam extinguishers?

Other than in fire emergencies there should be no discharge of foam extinguishers and in fact this would be illegal for PFOS and PFOA extinguishers. Training use of foam should not occur unless the site holds an Environmental Permit and can capture foam run off for high temperature disposal.

Extinguishers being removed from service must not be discharged other than by a licensed disposal company who will capture the foam in containers for high temperature disposal.

Why was AFFF developed for use in fire extinguishers?

In the late 1960’s firefighting - particularly of flammable liquid fires - was revolutionised by the invention by 3M of ‘Light Water – the first Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). AFFF is comprised of a mixture of surfactants, principally fluorosurfactants, which create a foam that flows more quickly over flammable liquids, creating a thin smothering film and a superior performance to traditional foams which are derived from animal proteins.

Do other types of fire extinguisher contain AFFF?

Since the late 1970’s AFFF has been used in portable extinguishers as a high performing multipurpose agent for mixed Class A and Class B risk environments. It is one of the most common fire extinguishers in use in the UK.

Whilst wet chemical extinguishers, primarily for Class F fires, are mostly based around Potassium Salts, some have AFFF added to give a better Class B rating and others (modelled as ABF or Class F foams) are AFFF extinguishers with an additive to make the foam blanket more resistant to the heat of a Class F fire, so some of these extinguishers are affected by this issue

Water additive extinguishers generally use metallic salts as an additive so are not affected and although some early versions from the 1980’s and 1990’s did use a small amount of AFFF as the additive, these will have long disappeared from service.

What are the associated environmental problems?

In recent decades the fluorosurfactants have been found to have a risk to the environment and human health, being a persistent organic pollutant (one of the so called "forever chemicals") found to accumulate in the general environment and in the tissues of humans with deleterious effects to both.

As a result of this discovery both voluntary and legally binding restrictions have been introduced in recent years and more are planned in coming years.

Which chemicals are involved?

The family of substances used in AFFF that cause the pollution issues are the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals. Over the years the formulation of AFFF has been changed to reduce the harm from the chemicals by using PFAS compounds with a shorter fluoro-carbon chain. These are thought to be less persistent and harmful, but by no means completely environmentally safe.

PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate – C8)

The original version of AFFF contained PFOS, a most harmful version of PFAS and was withdrawn from manufacture and use throughout the early 2000’s in North America and Europe as well as being prohibited by environmental legislation.

As a result, no extinguishers containing PFOS were manufactured later than 2011 and should no longer be in service. An extinguisher found that is older than this should be withdrawn for environmental disposal unless it is known beyond doubt it has been subject to regular servicing and had an extended service where a non PFOS AFFF has been used to refill within the last 5 years

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid – C8)

The formulation of AFFF using PFOA is also a harmful C8 long chain PFAS. Notice of prohibition was issued in 2010 (with a 2022 enactment) with most manufacturers stopping the use of PFOA in the 2010-2012 period. As a result, extinguishers using PFOA should have been removed from service by 2022 unless it is known beyond doubt it has been subject to regular servicing and had an extended service where a non PFOA AFFF has been used to refill it.

PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic acid – C6)

Foam extinguishers in current circulation should contain AFFF based on PFHxA, a shorter C6 chain PFAS with less (but not zero) environmental effect. Most extinguishers in circulation with ‘Eco’ or similar branding use this version of AFFF.

As it is still harmful to the environment a PFHxA phase out and ban is likely to be introduced in 2023/2024 meaning even these extinguishers will ultimately require removal from service

Fluorine Free Foams

A range of fluorine free foam compounds with no PFAS content have now been developed, including ones intended for portable extinguisher use, and these are slowly entering the market and are not likely to be subject to restrictions for the foreseeable future

Do Firechief fire extinguishers contain PFOS or PFOA?

All film forming foams used in our extinguishers do not contain fluorosurfactants based on C8 technology and therefore do not contain PFOS or PFOA.

Firechief Global is committed to developing PFAS free firefighting technology, enabling the elimination of PFAS-based fire extinguishing compounds from the Firechief product range. We have a PFAS Free symbol on the product information to which this currently applies.

Celebrating 60 years of the Firechief Fire Blanket!

alison.tully@senturagroup.com (Alison Tully) — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:20:34 +0000

It’s probably a little-known fact that the first ‘Homesaver’ (later Firechief) Fire Blanket was created in a garden shed in Gloucestershire in 1963, which makes this year our 60^th anniversary!

Firechief Fire Blankets have come a long way since then. In 1997 the ‘Homesaver’ fire blanket achieved BSI Kitemark accreditation to BSEN1869 and more recently the Firechief Fire Blanket became one of the first to be accredited to the new BSEN1869:2019 standard.

To mark our 60 years in fire safety, we take a look at some interesting facts about Fire Blankets which you may not know:

The practice of smothering fire with heavy materials such as coats, rugs, or blankets, goes way back. In fact, it’s thought that the very first fire extinguishing material may have been animal skins.
During the early 1900s, more conventional firefighting equipment such as fire blankets and fire extinguishers were developed and became more widely used.
By the 1960’s the fire blankets made of leather, wool and latterly asbestos, were being replaced by those made from glass fibre cloth.
At this stage, there were no formal manufacturing standards for fire blankets as a finished product for extinguishing fire, except that the glass fibre cloth had been tested against BS476 part 4 (non-combustibility) and part 7 ( surface spread of flame). The failures of these blankets in real fires and consumer tests in the early 1980’s led to the introduction of BS6575.
In 1985 BS6575 was launched and contained manufacturing and testing requirements for light and heavy-duty fire blankets. This along with Kitemarking meant that fire blankets now had a recognised standard of performance.
1997 saw the UK implement European Standard BS EN 1869 for light duty fire blankets. Under this standard, a fire blanket must meet the requirements on the maximum allowed weight, have clear instructions and the necessary flexibility to drape and wrap around all likely items on fire.
Today, Fire Blankets generally consist of glass fibre or Kevlar and flame-retardant material all folded into a quick release case for easy storage and access.
It’s imperative that Fire Blankets are correctly serviced in accordance with the Fire Industry Association Code of Practice and replaced if used or alternatively at the FIA 7-year recommended lifespan. Unlike fire extinguishers, it is rare for fire blankets to be replaced routinely but they can fray and degrade, stiffen, soak up contaminants (especially in greasy kitchen environments) and otherwise lose their ability to perform. Bear in mind that an existing BS EN 1869:1997 standard fire blanket could be up to 25 years old!
The new comprehensively updated and reissued BS EN 1869:2019 standard introduced updated testing. In BSEN 1869: 1997 the testing scope was limited to the use of fire blankets on cooking oil fires, despite the fact that they are often are installed for a far wider range of risks than those in the kitchen. With the updated 2019 standard, the original tests for electrical conductivity and cooking oil fires are now joined by a typical small, contained Class B fire using heptane. This gives users reassurance that a tested and approved blanket to BS EN 1869:2019 is truly effective on the wide range of small fires in Classes A, B and F, including where live electrical equipment is involved.
Under both the existing and the new standards, a fire blanket must meet the requirements on the maximum allowed weight, clear instructions and have the necessary flexibility to drape and wrap around all likely items on fire. However, under the new 2019 standard, for the first-time blankets have to be marked with batch numbers to allow traceability and ageing. This is something that has been an issue in the past with relation to recalls, determining age and verifying test claims.
Watch out for fake Fire Blankets!: As highlighted in the BBC’s Fake Britain consumer series in recent years, the UK has been flooded with cheap fake Fire Blankets. These are usually sold online and have no fire performance at all. Many claim manufacture to EN 1869, some fraudulently claiming independent approval citing TUV certification or a non-existent kitemark license number.
To be sure that a Fire Blanket will perform adequately in any of the designed for (and independently tested) risks, you need to look for approval markings to BS EN 1869:2019 accompanied by the official logo/mark of an approved body such as the LPCB or BSI, not just a reference number. The best thing is to double check the blanket manufacturer’s listing against the LPCB Red Book or BSI Kitemark Check service as appropriate. One of the many advantages of the BSI Kitemark is the reassurance that it gives customers as a mark of quality, safety, and trust.
The Firechief BPR1/K40 became one of the first fire blankets to be certified to the new BS EN 1869:2019 standard. You can read more here FIRECHIEF BPR1/K40 FIRE BLANKET NOW CERTIFIED TO BS EN 1869:2019 - Fire Depot

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for the last 60 years and we know the fire protection and prevention business inside out. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any of our fire safety products. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.uk or visit https://www.firedepot.co.uk/ to see our full range of fire safety products.

FIRE DEPOT TEAM VOLUNTEER WITH LOCAL CHARITIES

alison.tully@senturagroup.com (Alison Tully) — Wed, 31 May 2023 15:26:04 +0000

As part of its charity initiative for 2023, members of the Fire Depot team have each been given a day of paid leave to volunteer for a charity of their choice!

Earlier this month our new Finance Assistant Paula Diep joined a group of volunteers working on improving the footpath on Oakham canal and two members of the Marketing team, Sarah Need and Alison Tully, spent a day raising money and awareness for local mental health charity, Peppers.

The Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project aims to create a heritage, environment and leisure facility based around the former Oakham Canal. It works with landowners, tenant farmers and the local community to improve footpaths and public access while developing habitats and diversity. Activities vary from ongoing maintenance and trimming to working on major projects such as re-laying paths and building bridges.

Paula really enjoyed her time working at the canal and is already planning to join in at another volunteer session!

Peppers – A Safe Place is based in Oakham and offers community mental health support across Rutland. The organisation has multiple drop-in sessions each week where people can chat over a cup of tea or coffee or join in with other activities such as cookery and art classes, tai chi, music making, first-aid training and film nights.

During Mental Health Awareness week (15th-21st May), Alison and Sarah spent their volunteer day selling homemade cakes, bric-a-brac and raffle tickets on Peppers stall in Oakham market, which helped raise a total of £200; as well as walking several miles distributing information and leaflets about the charity to community outlets all over the town. They were so impressed with the work of the charity that they have both volunteered to help Peppers with their marketing and events in their own time

Laurie Pollard, Managing Director at Fire Depot said: ‘This year we wanted to give all team members the opportunity to volunteer and support a local charity of their choice. Being able to give everyone a day of paid leave to do that is our way of giving back to the community’.

Introducing our new Head of Sales

alison.tully@senturagroup.com (Alison Tully) — Mon, 15 May 2023 07:37:51 +0000

We are delighted to welcome Ian Poole to the Fire Depot team. Ian joins us as Head of Sales and will be working closely with our Sales and Customer Service teams, as well as being part of the Senior Management team.

Ian comes to Fire Depot with 16 years previous sales experience in the healthcare market, where he enjoyed helping people by understanding their challenges and helping solve them. He believes that the fire safety market will give him an interesting new challenge and will also mean that he can continue to do what he enjoys best - helping people, by keeping them safe from fire.

Ian is looking forward to going out to meet customers and getting to know them, as well as having the opportunity to grow sales, especially in the emerging Lithium-Ion battery fire safety market. He is already enjoying working with the Fire Depot team and embracing the company’s ‘One team, One vision’ culture.

Outside of work, Ian is a family man and spends as much time as he can with his wife and teenage son and daughter. They enjoy walking – at the coast whenever possible - music and playing sport – especially football.

Ian would describe himself as outgoing, fun and (slightly) controversial!

Firechief Stove Guard smart fire prevention system installed in Rochdale apartments

alison.tully@senturagroup.com (Alison Tully) — Thu, 11 May 2023 14:16:33 +0000

The Riverside development in Rochdale includes two nine storey apartment blocks comprising a mix of 240 one- and two-bedroom properties for private rent. The Rochdale town centre Riverside regeneration project also includes a 147-bedroom hotel and 43,000 square feet of office space.

The Fire regulations which apply to high-rise living accommodation meant that the kitchens in the apartments would require a fire suppression unit complete with sprinklers to be fitted. These units need to be installed and maintained by a specialist engineer and can also cause damage within a property should they be activated due to a fire. Therefore, the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard was chosen as an alternative, unobtrusive design-led fire prevention solution.

THE FIRECHIEF KITCHEN STOVE GUARD SOLUTION

50% of all accidental house fires start in the kitchen. However, the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard provides a worry-free approach to managing cooker top safety without affecting normal cooking since it reacts to an alarm by turning the cooker’s electricity supply off. The intelligent heat sensor in the Kitchen Stove Guard tracks the rate of increasing temperature, as a steeply rising temperature is an indication of a developing fire hazard.

HOW IT WORKS

The Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard is a device that works out when the temperature of cooking is too high (and therefore potentially hazardous) and turns off the source of ignition, effectively preventing kitchen fires before they start. This creates a safer home for the tenants and owners of flats and luxury apartments.

The Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard is a smart way to guard against kitchen fires because it responds before the formation of toxic gases and before a fire is ignited. It will even cut off the electricity supply if the hob has been left on accidentally – the setting for this can be tailored to individual installations. The Cooker is reactivated simply by pressing the sensor button. The device works with induction hobs.

THE BENEFITS

The fitting of the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard solution brought a number of benefits to the apartments:

Sleek sensor design
Intelligent fire safety technology which prevents fires long before they can start. The heat sensor activates the cooker switch when pre-fire conditions are detected instead of reacting to extinguish a fire once it has actually begun
Easier and simpler installation, undertaken by the electrical contractors already working on site rather than a specialist fire suppression installation engineer
Continuous 24/7 protection for peace of mind. The device monitors and adapts to the occupiers cooking style
Automatic fault diagnosis constantly analyses the Kitchen Stove Guard’s function when the hob is in use – no monthly testing
Lower cost – less than half the cost of a fire suppression system No annual maintenance required
No annual maintenance required
Fulfils the requirements of Stove Guard Standard EN 50615
2-year warranty

To learn more about the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard, visit the the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard product website

Fire Depot has been the UK's favourite fire safety supplier for over 50 years, we know the fire protection and prevention business inside out. Our experienced team can offer advice and guidance about any of our fire safety products. For expert help and advice, please contact the Fire Depot team on 0330 999 2233, email us at sales@firedepot.co.ukor visit https://www.firedepot.co.uk/ to see our full range of fire safety products.

Welcome to the team Paula!

alison.tully@senturagroup.com (Alison Tully) — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 08:50:37 +0000

We are delighted to welcome Paul Diep to the Fire Depot team. Paula joins us as Financial Assistant in our accounts team. Having worked in a home-based financial administration role before joining Fire Depot, Paula is really enjoying working in an office again and having social interaction with her new colleagues!

Outside of work, Paula is married with two teenage children. She enjoys being creative by renovating old and unloved objects such as furniture and also volunteers at her local church. Her other passions include reading, gardening, and walking.

Paula would best describe herself as honest, kind, and friendly - and we agree!