The fire equipment you choose for your home is a vital concern. The purchase, installation, and maintenance of smoke and heat alarms is by far the most important part of this article. Fire extinguishers and blankets may not be compulsory, depending on where you live. Your local fire service may actively advise against you buying your own fire extinguisher because they don’t want you to attempt to tackle fires by yourself. We’ve included it here for parents and caregivers who would still prefer to have them in the house, but please check with your local fire service or council if you’re uncertain what’s recommended for your home.

If you have children in the house, Unii’s Fire Safety Expert Mr. Steve Priestley strongly recommends that you never tackle a fire unless you are trapped. The priority is to get everyone out safely. You can't do this and tackle a fire at the same time. Once you and your family are out of the house you will never re enter.

Smoke Alarms

You are twice as likely to die in a house fire that has no smoke alarm as in a house that does. Buying and maintaining any smoke alarm could help save your home and the lives of you and your family, though it’s still worth investigating which is right for every room (or storey) where you want to fit one.

What are smoke alarms, exactly?

Smoke alarms are self-contained devices that incorporate a means of detecting a fire (a smoke detector) and giving a warning (an alarm), usually a very loud beeping sound. They are roughly hand-sized and are normally fitted to the ceiling. They can detect fires in their early stages and give you those precious minutes to enable you and your family to leave your house in safety.

What types of smoke alarms are available?

There are four key varieties of smoke alarms: ionisation, optical (also described as photoelectric), heat, and combined.

Ionisation: These are the cheapest and most economical. They are exceptionally sensitive to small particles of smoke produced by the mose fast-developing fires, such as paper and wood-based flames, and can detect this type of fire before the smoke grows too thick. They are slightly less sensitive to slow-burning and smouldering fires, which give off larger quantities of smoke before flaming occurs. They can also be too oversensitive near kitchens, where, as we’ve recommended in previous articles on this Unii Fire Safety Journey, you should fit a heat alarm.

Optical: These alarms are more expensive but 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 fast-flaming fires. Optical alarms can be installed near (not in) kitchens, as they are less likely than ionisation alarms to go off when toast is burned.

Heat Alarms: These detect the temperature increase caused by a fire and are insensitive to smoke. They are well-suited to kitchens, as they won’t sound every time someone burns the toast, but they only cover a relatively small area of a room. Your kitchen may need multiple heat alarms if it is large or part of an open-plan design.

Combined Optical Smoke and Heat Alarms: These efficient hybrid alarms work to reduce false alarms while increasing the speed of detection.

Combined Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: These provide hybrid protection in a single ceiling-mounted unit. They are a cost- and space-efficient option for living rooms.

How do smoke alarms work?

Each type of alarm looks similar and is powered either by a battery or mains electricity (or a combination of both, with the battery being the backup for the mains power, which could be interrupted). Some are interlinked so that any smoke detected in one room can raise the alarm in all others. This interlink can be achieved at the lowest cost with radio-interlinked smoke alarms.

Most smoke alarms now have hush buttons, for use where false alarms can be a nuisance, e.g., when cooking. The alarm lets you know it’s been silenced by “chirping” or by displaying a red light, while a real fire producing lots of smoke will set it off anyway. Another helpful technology is the ‘Sleep-Easy Function, which allows you to silence the alarm if a low battery beep starts in the middle of the night.

In a standard smoke alarm, the battery will need to be replaced every 12 months. You can buy alarms fitted with sealed 10-year batteries. The advantage is that you don’t have to replace the battery every year.

Mains-powered alarms have to be installed in all new buildings and after a major renovation. Make sure that the chosen mains-powered alarm has a battery backup. These can be alkaline batteries (need annual changing) or the alarm can be supplied with re-chargeable lithium batteries, which will last the lifetime of the alarm. Mains alarms need to be installed by a qualified electrician.

Which smoke alarm should I choose?

Different spaces need different alarms.

Your kitchen and garage need heat alarms. Landings should have ionisation smoke alarms or combined optical smoke and heat alarms.

Bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways need optical smoke alarms or combined optical smoke and heat alarms. Always buy an alarm that has been certified to the British or European standard.

Alarms can also come with an escape light. When the alarm sounds, the light comes on. The light can help you see your way out, and it is good for alerting people whose hearing is not perfect.

In addition, for people who are hard of hearing or deaf, there are smoke alarm systems for the deaf. When the alarm goes off, a pad below the pillow vibrates (if you are asleep), and a strobe light flashes, alerting you or waking you up instantly.

How many smoke alarms should I fit in my home?

The number of smoke alarms to fit in your home depends on your particular circumstances. Fires can start anywhere, so the more that are fitted, the higher the level of protection.

For maximum protection, an alarm should be installed in every room (except bathrooms). You should choose the type most suited to the risk in each room. For minimum protection, the number to be fitted will depend on the type of home you live in:

If your home is on one floor, one smoke alarm, preferably of the optical type, may be enough to provide you with early warning of a fire.

If your home has more than one floor, at least one alarm should be installed on each level. In this case, a combination of optical and ionisation alarms, preferably interconnected, will give the best protection.

Do not fit an alarm in the bathroom, as steam may trigger the alarm.

Where do I fit my smoke alarms?

Smoke alarms are usually screwed onto the ceilings, although specialist sticky pads can be used, and should be fitted as close to the centre of the room as possible, but at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) away from any wall or light fitting. You should always make sure that your alarm is installed in a place where it can be heard throughout your home, particularly when you are asleep.

If your home is on one level, you should fit the alarm in the hallway between the living and sleeping areas. If you have only one smoke alarm and two floors, put it where you can hear it when you are asleep—on the ceiling at the top of the stairs leading to the bedrooms.

If you have a TV or other large electrical appliance in your bedroom, you should install a smoke alarm there.

How do I maintain my smoke alarm?

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions; smoke alarms need very little maintenance. A few minutes of your time during the year will ensure that your alarm is working, which could help save your life and the lives of your family. You should:

Test your smoke alarm when the clocks are changed, and vacuum it gently using the soft brush attachment to remove dust from the sensors.

Once a year, change the battery (unless it’s a ten-year alarm).

After 10 years, it’s best to get a whole new alarm.

Buying and fitting smoke alarms and ensuring they are carefully and properly maintained could give you those precious few extra minutes in which to make your escape safely.

Plan an escape from your home in advance and talk about it with everyone who lives with you. If a fire occurs, you may have to get out in the dark and difficult conditions. Escaping will be a lot easier if everyone knows where to go. Make sure your routes remain free of any obstructions and that there are no loose floor coverings that could trip you.

Always check the battery regularly, replace it when necessary, and never remove it for other purposes.

Fire extinguishers

While it's not a requirement to install fire extinguishers in your home (though your landlord may be legally required to put one in if you rent, depending on your circumstances), it's always wise to have these handy fire safety devices on hand. Fire extinguishers are one of the most effective pieces of fire safety equipment you can install.

Installing fire extinguishers on your property is an effective and affordable way to increase your fire safety at home.

So, let’s start by taking a look at the various fire extinguisher models out there and when they’re designed for use.

Fire extinguisher classes:

Class A: will put out fires fueled by standard combustible materials, such as wood.

Class B: designed for use on flammable liquids such as oil or grease

Class C: only suitable for electrical fires

Class D: designed for use on flammable metals

Many fire extinguishers serve multiple purposes, so they come under several class brackets. For example, you might see extinguisher models labelled as AB, BC, or ABC.

If you’re thinking of installing fire extinguishers in your home, it’s important that all the members of the household know where the extinguishers are located, as well as how to use them in the event of a fire.

Make sure the whole household reads and understands the instructions for use to keep both themselves and the home safe in an emergency.

While fire extinguishers can be effectively used to combat domestic fires, it’s still vital that all members of the household evacuate the property as quickly as they can and then contact the emergency services.

Make sure you choose your home fire extinguishers carefully. Remember that it’s vital that your fire extinguishers can effectively combat electrical fires, as faulty electrical devices are a common source of home fires.

What type of fire extinguisher should I choose for my home?

There are four types of fire extinguishers, each containing a different agent to help combat flames. All of these extinguisher models are far more effective than trying to put out a domestic fire using water alone.

Powder fire extinguishers

Powder fire extinguishers are most often recommended for use in the home.

When used, these fire extinguishers spray a chemical-based powder that effectively smothers the flames and subdues the source of the fire.

Powder fire extinguishers span fire extinguisher classes A, B, and C, so they are also commonly known as ABC extinguishers.

As the powder used in these types of fire extinguishers contains chemicals, it may damage some of the surfaces it comes into contact with in the home.

The use of powder fire extinguishers can also decrease visibility in an emergency situation.

Water and fire extinguishers

These fire extinguishers contain water enriched with additives that help to fight the source of the fire.

These extinguisher models only comply with classes A and B, so they are slightly less versatile than their powder counterparts.

The additives used in water fire extinguishers are often irritants, so extra care must be taken to avoid contact with users’ skin.

Gas fire extinguishers

Gas fire extinguishers reduce the amount of oxygen around a fire, impacting its ability to continue burning.

Cleaner than powder or water fire extinguishers, gas models are a very practical option.

However, the gas emitted by these types of fire extinguishers is extremely cold and can cause frostbite.

Foam fire extinguishers

Foam fire extinguishers are also widely used, but present one major drawback: they can’t be used on electrical appliances, which are a common source of fires in domestic properties.

Using your fire extinguishers

No matter the model you choose (powder, water, gas, or foam), there are several simple steps involved in using your extinguishers. You can use the initialism PASS to remember them, so that’s pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep.

P: Pull out the pin on the extinguisher to break through the tamper-proof protection.

A: Aim the extinguisher down low, with its nozzle directed at the base of the fire.

S: Squeeze the handle of the extinguisher to release the extinguishing substance.

S: Sweep the nozzle side to side, keeping it pointed at the base of the fire.

If the fire is not completely put out, repeat the final steps until it is.

Maintaining and replacing fire extinguishers

Bear in mind that, according to UK guidelines, powder, water, and foam fire extinguishers should be replaced every 5 years. Gas fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years. It is critical to ensure that any fire extinguisher is properly maintained. Checking the manufacturing date will help you ascertain whether the extinguisher requires refilling, refurbishing, or replacing. Fire extinguishers can explode if they have not been maintained properly. If the case has been damaged, this can cause pressure to mount inside, making it more likely to explode.

Shopping for fire extinguishers

There are three important factors to consider when buying your home fire extinguishers.

Weight

You’ll want to make sure that you, as well as the other members of your household, will be able to use your fire extinguishers in the event of an emergency.

You’ll want your fire extinguishers to be lightweight enough to easily handle, so you can make use of them quickly and effectively.

Look out for the capacity of the fire extinguisher when you’re browsing; it’ll likely be listed in kilogrammes.

Location

You’ll want to install your fire extinguishers close to areas in your home where a fire is most likely to start, such as the kitchen.

Think carefully about where you’ll position the fire extinguishers around your property. Strategic planning could mean you need to install fewer than you originally thought.

Make sure that your fire extinguishers are stored out of the reach of children so that they don’t harm themselves or damage the fire safety equipment itself while playing.

Price

The price of fire extinguishers will vary depending on the type you choose for your home (powder, water, gas, or foam), as well as the capacity you select.

You might also want to consider purchasing a fire blanket as an addition to the protection offered by your extinguisher.

Fire Blankets

What is a fire blanket?

A fire blanket is a sheet of woven fire-resistant material (usually woven fibreglass) designed to extinguish small fires. Fire blankets work by smothering the fire and cutting off its oxygen supply. They are stored in a wall-mounted case or pouch for quick access in a fire emergency.

What is a fire blanket used for?

Fire blankets are usually used for putting out small fires in or around the kitchen and are particularly useful for fires involving cooking oils. They can also be used for small bin fires and to extinguish clothing fires.

Which fire blanket should I choose?

There are 3 sizes of fire blanket (1 x 1m, 1.2 x 1.2m, 1.2 x 1.8m). You should consider the potential size of the fire as the fire blanket needs to cover the entire fire in order to smother and extinguish it. The smallest size may be more suited to baking tray or frying pan fires at home.

Where should I put a fire blanket?

Put it in or near a kitchen but not too close to the fire hazard, as a fire may prevent you accessing it. Fire blankets are best fixed to the wall in an easily identifiable location. They should be installed as an additional precaution alongside an appropriate fire extinguisher.

How can I choose and look after home fire equipment?

From extinguishers to blankets, Unii has you covered.