Those killer fire extinguishers!

[Guest bkelm18]

Extinguishers banned as a fire safety hazard

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=115014&in_page_id=34

Fire extinguishers could be removed from communal areas in flats throughout the country because they are a safety hazard, it has emerged.

The life-saving devices encourage untrained people to fight a fire rather than leave the building, risk assessors in Bournemouth decided.

There are fears that their recommendation, which has seen the extinguishers ripped out of several private, high-rise flats in the town, could set a national precedent.

Under the Fire Safety Order of 2005, fire assessments must be carried out to 'eliminate or reduce risk as is reasonably practical'.

But Mike Edwards, who lives in one of the blocks, said he was 'absolutely staggered' that risk experts thought it a safe decision.

'They are worried we will point them in the wrong direction or use the wrong extinguishers,' he said. 'But if you are trapped in a burning building, you will work out how to use one.'

The 61-year-old claimed his neighbours were now worried sick that a fire could break out.

Dorset Fire and Rescue defended the move, saying: 'Obviously, in some cases, an extinguisher could come in useful but, with new building regulations, every escape route should be completely fireproof.'

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents backed their removal because different extinguishers should be used on different types of fire.

But the Department for Communities and Local Government denied it would see them removed from all flats.

'Fire and safety regulations make clear that appropriate safety equipment must be provided,' said a spokesman.

Independent health and safety consultant Anthony Petitt suggested training people in their use – 'otherwise it's just putting people at risk'.

Yikes...

[Fadex]

Hummm...this may be an outdated reference but...didn't London burn at least once already? I bet the lack of fire extinguishers was a huge help then.

[BrasilNuts]

That's the way it goes... first they take away your right to defend yourself from BGs, then they try to take away your right to defend yourself against a fire. What a stupid thing to do.

[Guest db99wj]

Jeeze, course we have warnings on coffee...

[Guest Astra900]

I sure am glad we got these people around to tell us these things.

[Farman]

Their economy is also going to , so they will also be cutting back on the fire (dept.) brigade. And from what I have seen dentistry is also on the decline in the UK.

[Garufa]

This could be a Monty Python skit.