The importance of a fire blanket

In the case of a fire, a fire blanket helps to control flames and extinguish fires that are most commonly caused by cooking oils in kitchens. You can also use a fire blanket if clothing is on fire, or if an item such as a waste bin has caught alight. By covering the fire with a fire blanket, the supply of oxygen is cut to the fire, minimising its spread. At RES Fire Protection Engineers, our fire blankets have been certified and tested to the most stringent requirements of BS EN 1869:1997.

In a business premises, the most frequent location of a fire blanket is in a kitchen area, where cooking equipment is located. A fire blanket should always be positioned at least two metres away from a cooker, and fixed to the wall. When a fire occurs in a kitchen, it is normally on or around the cooker. To use a fire blanket, pull out the blanket from its pouch and hold the blanket between you and the fire. Protect your hands by inserting them into the sleeves of the fire blanket, keeping your fingers away from exposure as you are holding it. Place the fire blanket over the fire and step back immediately. Do not attempt to try and lift up the fire blanket until you are sure that the fire has been put out. Fire blankets should be discarded after use and not re-used.

Using a fire blanket

For a fire to burn and quickly spread, it requires fuel, heat and oxygen. A fire blanket is used to cut off this supply of oxygen to a fire, and should successfully put it out completely. A fire blanket must be sealed around the fire for it to work effectively, to stop oxygen from getting to the flames. Fire blankets usually have two ‘tails’ that are visible from its packaging. When using a fire blanket, you should place one hand on each tag ‘tail’ and pull simultaneously to remove the blanket from its packaging. If a person’s clothing is on fire, you should use a fire blanket in the same way and make sure that it is correctly sealed around the fire to prevent air escape.

Fire blanket installation and servicing

If you require fire blankets for a business environment, they should receive an annual service along with your other fire-fighting equipment. Service charges for fire blankets are usually half of that for extinguishers, and having your fire blanket serviced can save lives. An RES engineer will unpack the blanket and carry out a full inspection to ensure that the quality of the blanket still meets the legally required standard before placing it back into its packaging. An engineer will check for signs of wear, stains and any other types of oil staining, and will inform you of any holes in the blanket that may stop the blanket from working properly in the case of a fire. You will receive a certificate containing details of the fire blanket service.

Fire blankets from RES

At RES, we provide fire blankets that meet the most stringent requirements of BS EN 1869:1997. Our services cover the South of England including London, Berkshire, Bracknell, Windsor, Middlesex & Surrey, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex & Kent,

At RES Fire Protection Engineers, we offer powder and CO2 extinguishers for electrical-based fires. A powder extinguisher can be used on electrical hazards when combustibility is a danger (including applications on engines and machinery). A CO2 extinguisher is ideal for instances where vast amounts of electrical equipment is on fire, i.e. in an office or server room full of computer components.

Powder extinguisher

Powder extinguishers are very versatile and can be used on class A, B and C fires. They can be used on fires involving electrical equipment, but there is a risk that the fire could reignite, as the extinguisher cannot cool the fire down. Powder extinguishers are only suitable for open spaces and should be used in areas where there is plenty of ventilation, as they can create breathing difficulties and loss of visibility (especially in smoke-shrouded locations). They shouldn’t be used indoors unless there is no other option. Powder fire extinguishers are marked with a blue label.    

CO2 carbon dioxide extinguishers

If you need a fire extinguisher for a large space containing great volumes of electrical equipment (such as a server room with lots of computers, or a production line with lots of electrical machinery), the safest choice is a CO2 carbon dioxide extinguisher. This type of extinguisher can be used without leaving a residue (unlike powder and foam extinguishers). A CO2 extinguisher smothers a fire so that it doesn’t receive extra oxygen that can fuel it and cause it to spread. It reduces the supply of air to the fire, and is ideal for application to electrical equipment that is ablaze. CO2 extinguishers are marked with a black label.

RES Fire Protection Engineers offer both powder and CO2 fire extinguisher solutions for environments containing electrical equipment, including the following:

Fire extinguisher purchase and hire

Do you require powder or CO2 fire extinguishers for rooms holding electrical equipment? We can meet your requirements at RES Fire Protection Engineers. Our entire range of fire extinguishers are produced to adhere to European Standard EN3, and all have a five year guarantee. We offer discounts for large quantity orders. We also offer electrical fire extinguisher hire services for up to six months.

Servicing/refilling electrical fire extinguishers

If your electrical fire extinguisher needs maintenance or routine checks, we can service portable fire extinguishers, hose reels, trolley units and fire blankets to ensure that they are suitable for use in line with current legislation and British Standards. All extinguisher services are conducted by BAFE registered technicians. We also have an emergency call-out service, here for customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our engineers can also refill your fire extinguishers at either our premises or through our refilling service vans, 5 days a week from 8am-5pm.

Chrome and stainless steel fittings

We offer stainless steel and chrome fittings to indicate action signs, prohibition signs and fire-fighting signs in relation to your fire safety equipment and fire extinguishers. Single or double stands for your extinguishers can also be provided.

Purchase, hire and maintenance of electrical fire extinguishers from RES

Do you require an electrical fire extinguisher for your business so that your staff and premises can be kept safe? We provide a wide range of fire extinguishers for either purchase or hire, and can service and maintain them for you on an ongoing basis. Talk to RES about your business requirements today. We cover the South of England including London, Berkshire, Bracknell, Windsor, Middlesex & Surrey, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex & Kent, West & East Sussex, Reading, Maidenhead, Slough, Newbury and the surrounding areas.

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Foam Fire Extinguishers

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) fire extinguishers are appropriate when used to fight fire caused by burning substances such as wood. They are also suitable for fires involving the igniting of flammable liquids such as petrol. This is because of the nature of the foam extinguisher, as the foam inside can expand and engulf burning liquids and objects. The foam can also soak into materials that are on fire, such as fabrics. Inside a foam fire extinguisher there is a certain amount of water, which cools the fire down while the foam starves the fire of oxygen, helping to minimise its spreading action.

The main body of an AFFF foam fire extinguisher is typically red. The identification field will be cream coloured for ease of recognition.

Foam fire extinguishers are great for use in the office and home. Care should be taken when cleaning up foam discharge from the extinguisher, or the actual extinguisher’s disposal, as the foam inside is carcinogenic and has the ability to poison. Always recycle a fire extinguisher responsibly. At RES, our fire extinguisher servicing engineers can recycle your extinguisher for you so that it is disposed of in a responsible manner.

RES Fire Protection Engineers offer foam fire extinguisher services, including the following:

Fire extinguisher sales and hire

If you require a new foam fire extinguisher, we can meet your requirements. All of our fire extinguishers are produced to European Standard EN3, with a five year guarantee. We offer discounts for large quantity orders. If you’d rather hire a fire extinguisher, we can provide hire services for up to six months.

Fire extinguisher servicing

We can service portable fire extinguishers, hose reels, trolley units and fire blankets to ensure that they are suitable for use in line with current legislation and British Standards. All work undertaken is carried out by BAFE registered technicians. We also have an emergency call-out service, on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Refills for fire extinguishers

Our engineers can refill all makes and types of fire extinguishers at our premises and with our service vans, 5 days a week from 8am-5pm.

Chrome and stainless steel fittings

We offer stainless steel signage for action signs, prohibition signs and fire-fighting signs in relation to your foam fire extinguisher. We can also provide single or double stands for your extinguishers.

Foam fire extinguishers from RES

If you require foam fire extinguisher sales, hire, maintenance or repairs, RES engineers can carry out a comprehensive service to meet your business requirements. We cover the South of England including London, Berkshire, Bracknell, Windsor, Middlesex & Surrey, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex & Kent, West & East Sussex, Reading, Maidenhead, Slough, Newbury and the surrounding areas.

We provide practical and cost-effective fire risk assessment services and foam fire extinguishers for our clients to keep their business and staff protected in the event of a fire.

The term ‘fire hazard’ has two important components – the first is the possible instance of a fire occurring, and the second relates to the consequences and effects of a fire if it happens. It is always important to consider the environment and equipment stored in a place of work to ensure that there are no combustible substances that are present in a manner that could ignite and cause a fire to spread.

What is a fire hazard?

For example, if flammable liquids are in storage in a building, there is a high risk of a ‘fire hazard’ due to the liquids being flammable and potentially exacerbating the spread of a fire in their combustibility. In another example, a workshop may have equipment that could cause a fire, but this fire could potentially be contained if there are no other flammable items or liquids present, ensuring that the fire does not spread to other areas of a building. Many risks can be reduced to low levels with careful storage and good housekeeping.

RES provide a comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment service for areas including London, Berkshire, Bracknell, Windsor, Middlesex & Surrey, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex & Kent, West & East Sussex, Reading, Maidenhead, Slough, Newbury and the surrounding areas in accordance with the RRFSO.