Provide a fire extinguisher or no fire extinguisher?

Provide a fire extinguisher or no fire extinguisher?

10:08 AM, 7th September 2023, About 8 months ago 9

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Hello, what are Property118 readers thoughts on letting agents requesting a fire extinguisher and fire blanket to be fixed in a new 3-bed single let.? Also, asked for them to be fitted in the kitchen rather than on the exit route.

Personally, I have no problems with the fire blanket and always fit one. Fire extinguishers I have a problem with, as health and safety regulations require that they have to be tested yearly and by a competent person, correctly signed with information on type and use, and training in the use given to potential users.

I can see the sense that powder is usually fitted as it can be used on all fires. But! Without training, a blast from a powder extinguisher by a panicking tenant on a chip pan will blow the fire and fat out of the chip fryer and spread it. So I prefer not to fit an extinguisher in single let tenancy’s as I would rather the tenants just get out and ring 999. Unless they feel competent in using the fire blanket provided.

Thanks,

Les


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Comments

Adrian Alderton

10:39 AM, 7th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Never come across this before. You are absolutely correct. This isn't a legal requirement and the wrong fire extinguisher in the wrong hands will only make things worse. Smoke alarms/heat detector (kitchen) and fire blanket is sufficient.
Suggest you et back to them.

Alistair Burn

10:42 AM, 7th September 2023, About 8 months ago

I had provided a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket, but Nottingham Council told me they aren't part of the HMO license because they don't want tenants dealing with fires. They just want the tenants to get out of the house.

Gunga Din

12:51 PM, 7th September 2023, About 8 months ago

I once read that fire blankets can be ineffectual anyway. Because of the semi rigid material and the fact that has spent a long time folded, it comes out of its container with folds/creases. Draped over a fire, say a chip pan, it doesn't seal to the pan edge.

I advise my tenants verbally that a damp (not wet) towel is far more effective, having read this somewhere reliable years ago.

I also emphasise the primary objective is to save themselves, so the fire extinguishers are outside the flats on the landing.

White Rose Fire Safety

15:11 PM, 7th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Powder extinguishers should not be used indoors due to the cloud they create in confined spaces & is also advised against in the standards yet you see them installed in let properties and caravan's etc all over the place.
A fire blanket installed in the kitchen is more than sufficient and as you said installing fire extinguishers encourages people to re-enter their flats instead of getting out.
There is also the maintenance & training costs involved too.
Put simple they are not required in a single let property.
Judiths comments about the property been an HMO is nonsense and if the correct advice cant be given people should refrain from giving it.
Ensure the tenants are given the correct evacuation procedures and good to go.

Graham Bowcock

16:05 PM, 7th September 2023, About 8 months ago

We inhertied the management of some blocks of flats from another agent. They had fire extinguisghers in the communal hallways. Our FRA assessor said to remove them as nobody in the building was trained to use them. The key thing is to get out (or stay put in some cases) and call the fire brigade.

I do not belive that fire extinguishers are required in a single let property. Having said that a prudent landlord should do a fire risk assessment; this would cover (for example) escape routes.

David

17:33 PM, 7th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Sounds like a licence for the Agency to charge you ongoing inspection and maintenance fees.

Things that are not legal requirements are often best avoided as you become responsible for them.

chris

22:59 PM, 7th September 2023, About 8 months ago

I was told by a fire officer that fire blankets and fire extinguishers make people think they can fight fires and give them bravery to try when all they want is for you to get out . trying to workout how to use them wastes evacuation time lives matter not building

philip allen

18:12 PM, 10th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Alistair Burn at 07/09/2023 - 10:42
Agree! I had this very conversation with the local Fire Service. I maintained that my tenants are not trained fire fighters and I want them out of the property as soon as. Let the experts deal with the fire. The FS agreed. Fire blanket, definitely YES. Fire extinguisher, definitely NO. Unless of course you have a student house as they will love an extinguisher for their parties!!!

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