The fire-red steel container should be freely and quickly accessible – and also really suitable for extinguishing the flammable substances present in the environment. Information about the fire class is provided by the pictograms on the device. It is also important that all family members (including children!) know how to use the fire extinguisher before an emergency occurs – anyone who only studies the printed instructions for use in the event of a fire wastes valuable time, while immediate use may save lives and reduce property damage. Foam extinguishers are well suited for private households because they can be directed specifically at the source of the fire. Powder as an extinguishing agent, on the other hand, can cause a lot of dust in the surrounding area.
Tips for emergencies:
- Basically, you should always remain calm and prudent in the event of a fire. Prudence means also sometimes to do without the fire extinguisher: A burning pan (i.e. the fat burning in it) can be extinguished most safely, for example, if the flame is smothered with the pot lid. Incidentally, attempts to extinguish such grease fires with water are dangerous, as explosions can occur. In the catering industry, therefore, special fat fire extinguishers are used.
- If the handle to the fire extinguisher is necessary, always spray with the wind bump from below into the embers and not into the flames.
- Keep enough distance so that the extinguishing powder envelops the entire fire if possible.
- Extinguish surface fires from the front and from below, not from behind or above, always extinguish the fire material, not the flames.
- In dripping or flowing fires, if, for example, burning fat or melting plastics drip down, extinguish the burning pool from the exit point top down.
- For larger incipient fires, use several fire extinguishers at the same time and not one after the other.
- Pay attention to re-ignition, do not leave the fire site, but observe.
- Never underestimate the health hazards of smoke and fire gases and always pay attention to self-protection.
- After use, do not bring the fire extinguisher in any case back to its place, but immediately let it fill again.
Check fire extinguisher regularly
Externally, fire extinguishers hardly change. However, the effect of extinguishing agents and propellants of fire extinguishers wears off over time, the extinguishing agents change their consistency. Regular expert testing of the devices is therefore essential – preferably at least every two years – this is what the Bundesverband der Brandschutz-Fachbetriebe (bvbf) recommends. A look at the inspection sticker provides information about when the last inspection was carried out. If this was longer ago, the device must be inspected by a specialist.
During the expert inspection by the customer service department of a fire protection specialist company, the fire extinguisher is opened, the extinguishing agent is removed and its usability is checked. Powder and foam should be completely replaced after ten years at the latest. After this time, the extinguishing properties are reduced.
During the expert inspection, the propellant is also checked and the extinguisher examined for possible damage and material fatigue. After the approximately 15-minute test, which costs between 15 and 30 euros according to the bvbf, the fire extinguisher is ready for use again for two years. V
he fire department warns against dubious businessmen. Supposed authority coworkers pretend at the dwelling door to want to examine the fire extinguishers in private households. As a rule, the supposed experts then state that the fire extinguishers do not comply with the standard or have expired; the house residents are advised to purchase a new device. According to the fire department, however, there is no authority that inspects fire extinguishers.
