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| Fire Safety and Community Education is being
given a higher profile by the brigade, and more resources have been allocated to it's
development. The Fire Safety Department is responsible for conducting training/lectures to
other government departments and outside bodies in fire safety, extinguisher use, what
action to take in the event of a fire etc., It also carries out public awareness
campaigns, in schools and places of work on the dangers of fireworks and their proper use
in the run up to Guy Fawkes night and the New Year celebrations. 
The Gibraltar Inter-Agencies Group was formed in 1997 in
order to co-ordinate community awareness programmes between the local agencies. It's
members are the Royal Gibraltar Police, Services Police, Health Authority, Customs and
City Fire Brigade. Already the GIA has conducted several awareness campaigns including
Fireworks Safety, Drink & Drive, Smoke Detectors and Drug Awareness, |
| Extinguishers
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| Using a fire extinguisher may help prevent a
small fire develop into an inferno. However it is important to know which extinguisher to
use for a particular type of fire. Remember only use an extinguisher if it's safe to do
so, and always call the fire brigade, even if the fire is extinguished. Extinguishers
Colour Coding
The new BS EN3 colour coding came into effect in 1997 the following are the new codes
which apply to U.K. extinguishers; All extinguishers should be coloured red and up to a
maximum of 5% of the external area of the extinguisher may be so coloured to indicate the
type of extinguishing medium inside.
| COLOUR |
TYPE & USE |
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WATER Best
for wood, cloth, paper, plastics, coal etc, fires involving solids.
DO NOT USE on burning fats or oil or
on live electrical appliances.
|
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POWDER
MULTI-PURPOSE Best for wood, cloth, paper, plastics, coal etc, fires involving
solids. Liquids such as grease, fats oils, paint petrol etc.
DO NOT USE on burning chip or fat
pan fires.
|
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CARBON
DIOXIDE Best for Liquids such as grease, fats oils, paint petrol etc.
electrical equipment.
DO NOT USE on burning chip or fat
pan fires.
|
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FOAM (AFFF)
MULTI-PURPOSE Best for wood, cloth, paper, plastics, coal etc, fires involving
solids. Liquids such as grease, fats oils, paint petrol etc.
DO NOT USE on burning chip or fat
pan fires, live electrical appliances.
|
 |
FIRE BLANKET Best for fires involving chip or fat pans. Also suitable for
wrapping person if clothing on fire. |
|
| Smoke Detectors |
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| Smoke detectors are self contained units that
incorporate a means of detecting fire (smoke) and giving a warning (alarm). They are about
10 cm in diameter and are usually fitted on ceilings, they are also relatively
inexpensive, some can be found as cheap as £5 in supermarkets or electrical and D.I.Y.
shops. The fitting of a smoke detector in your home could save the life of your family,
since the device can give early warning of a fire developing. Most run off a battery,
however for the best protection mains connected types are the best.
 |
IONISATION TYPE These are
very sensitive to small particles of smoke produced by flaming fires such as chip pans,
they are marginally less sensitive to slow burning and smouldering fires which give off
larger amounts of smoke.
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OPTICAL TYPE These are more
effective at detecting larger particles of smoke produced by slow burning fires, such as
smouldering foam-filled upholstery and overheated PVC wiring. They are marginally less
sensitive to free burning flaming fires. |
Where to fit Detectors
 Ideally every room should be
fitted with a smoke detector except kitchen, bathrooms and garages, were they are bound to
be activated and raise false alarms. However the minimum requirement should be one for a
single level home, and at least one in each level if your home is of more than one floor.
Follow manufacturers recommendations for installation, though the best location is at the
centre of the room.
British Standards
 Make sure that whatever type
of detector you decide to buy carries the British Standards "Kitemark"and the
code "BS 5446 Part 1".
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| Last
Revised : 09 October 2004 |
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