Page 374 - IGC BOOK

Fire Safety Equipment Maintenance

Equipment Period Activity

Fire detection and fire warning Weekly Check all systems for state of repair and
systems including self-contained operation. Repair or replace defective units.
smoke alarms and manually Test operation of systems, self-contained
operated devices alarms and manually operated devices
Annually
Full check and test of system by
competent service engineer. Clean self-
contained smoke-alarms and change
batteries.

Emergency lighting equipment Weekly Operate torches and replace batteries
including self-contained units as required. Repair or replace any
and torches defective unit.
Monthly Check all systems, units and torches for
state of repair and apparent working order.
Annually Full check and test of systems and units
by competent person. Replace batteries
in torches.

Fire-fighting equipment including Weekly Check all equipment for correct
hose reels installation and apparent working order.

Annually Full check and test by a competent person.

Other Types of Fire Fighting Equipment

Fire blankets

These are portable fire-fighting devices designed to smother a fire. There are different types
of fire blankets suitable for different types of fire – light-weight ones suitable for class A and
B fires, and heavy-duty blankets for industrial use, including those that can be used for class
D fires. They are especially useful in a kitchen for extinguishing deep fat frying pan fires and
other types of small fat and oil fires (class F).

When using a fire blanket, the corners must be turned towards you so that you do not get
burnt as the blanket is laid over the fire. It should be kept in place until all the heat has been
removed.

ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 10 –Fire 29