The humble Fire Extinguisher - the Hero in our midst

A survey of more than 2,000 businesses in the UK has revealed that the humble fire extinguisher is now responsible for extinguishing more workplace fires than the Fire Brigade.

This comes at a time when the cost of the fire service is under scrutiny following the publishing of the Bain report. Results from the survey estimate that fire extinguishers save more than £5 million each year in terms of fire service resources.

Research published today by Chubb Fire - the UK’s leading fire specialist – shows that, the fire extinguisher prevents an estimated 24 fire related deaths and 1,692 fire-related injuries each year, saving industry and commerce in excess of £700 million a year in claims.

The statistics reveal the true extent of the role fire extinguishers play in the workplace. Of those fires tackled with a fire extinguisher, 75.3% are put out without the Fire Brigade having to be called.

John Spencer the Managing Director of Chubb Fire commented:

"These survey results highlight just how important the humble fire extinguisher is in work places up and down the country. The true value of fire extinguishers as life savers must not be underestimated, the real effectiveness is likely to be even greater than the statistics suggest, as the vast majority of fires put out by fire extinguishers simply go unreported."

Losses through fire are currently estimated to cost the economy £7 billion, and the insurance industry £700 million a year, but these official statistics only take into account those fires reported to the fire service. Fire extinguishers are designed to prevent relatively minor incidents turning into major conflagrations, hence their use often goes unreported. With some 75 percent of the incidents documented in the survey not requiring the resources of the brigades and therefore not recorded in any official statistics, it is readily apparent how the role of the fire extinguisher is inaccurately represented.

The survey also reveals that 60% of all fires in the workplace occur during working hours and 84% of fires are started accidentally. With this in mind, the need for adequate fire extinguisher coverage, servicing and training is striking. Only just over half of those questioned had any formal training, which suggests fire extinguishers could be even more effective with improved staff training.

John Spencer added:

"With one in four companies who suffer a major fire going out of business as a direct result, this survey highlights not just how effective portable fire extinguishers are in controlling fires in the workplace, but also just how much more effective they could be, if businesses are prepared to properly train staff and have their equipment serviced. For most businesses the first line of defence is action taken by staff once a fire breaks out. If businesses fail to provide adequate fire extinguishers, the odds would be stacked against them and it may end up costing them their business, or worse, their lives!"

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