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Fire Safety & Prevention Initiatives

Home Fire Safety

Prevent a fire occurring

Open Fires

  •   Always keep a sparkguard in front of an open fire.
  •   Use a secure fire guard when children are in the room.
  •   Avoid banking fires too high.
  •   If you have a chimney fire call the fire brigade.

Portable Heaters 

  •   Keep portable heaters away from curtains and furniture.
  •   Keep portable heaters away from draughts
  •   Never move a gas or oil heater when it is in use.
  •   Never refill a hot oil heater.
  •   Never use a portable heater for drying clothes.

Respect electricity 

  •   Check flexes for signs of wear regularly and replace if necessary.
  •   Don’t run flexes under carpets or rugs where they can be damaged.
  •   Replace blown fuses with one of the correct rating.
  •   Don’t overload sockets – one socket, one plug is a safe rule.
  •   Get a qualified electrician to carry out repairs.
  •   Follow the manufacturers instructions for electric blankets.
  •   Use socket covers if there are children in the house.

Gas Appliances 

  •   Always keep gas cylinders upright and switch off at the regulator when not in use.
  •   Have adequate ventilation in all rooms where gas heaters are used.
  •   Check flexible hoses regularly for signs of wear and have them replaced.
  •   Store gas cylinders in the open air.
  •   If you suspect a leak, do not switch on lighting or any electrical appliance, ventilate the area, switch off the gas at source, contact your gas supplier

Cooking

  • Never hang cloths directly over cookers or hobs.
  •   Turn pot handles inwards on the hob.
  •   Do not wear loose sleeves while cooking.
  •   Use a thermostatically controlled chip pan.
  •   Never overfill a chip pan.
  •   Never leave a chip pan unattended.

Smoking

  •   Use proper ashtrays on a firm base.
  •   Last thing at night check that a smouldering cigarette has not fallen into seating or onto carpets.
  •   Never, never, never smoke in bed.

Children

  •   Never leave children alone in the house
  •   Use secure fire guards in front of open fires.
  •   Never allow children to throw anything on an open fire.
  •   Keep children clear of the cooker when you are using it.
  •   Switch off and unplug appliances when not in use.
  •   Use child proof socket covers.
  •   Keep matches out of reach of children.

Smoke Detection & Alarm Systems

* Must be installed serviced and maintained to IS 3218:1989
* Must be mains powered with battery backup
* Fire Alarm panel must be checked for faults daily
* Weekly Checks
* 3 Monthly Check by a competent certified person
* 12 Monthly Check by a competent certified person
* Retain Records
* Break Glass Units

Smoke Detectors

There are 2 types of smoke detection:

1. Automatic detection Automatic detection should be in accordance with Irish standard IS3218;1989 or equivalent
2. Domestic type smoke detection Domestic type smoke alarms should be in accordance with BS 5839 part 6 2004 or Irish Standard IS 409;1988 or equivalent

What should I buy?

Building regulations require that all new houses be fitted with mains powered smoke detectors (and preferably mains powered with battery backup). There should be suitably located and interconnected detectors in all circulation areas that form part of the escape route and in all rooms or areas, such as kitchens and living rooms, that present a high fire risk. Heat detectors should be provided in kitchens.

This is also the preferred option for existing dwellings but at the very least battery powered smoke alarms should be installed.

How many should I get?

It is recommended that in a two-storey house that one detector is located in the ground floor hallway and a second detector is located at ceiling level in the landing area. Ensure that the detectors are located so that they are accessible for testing and battery change. In a bungalow the detector should be located between the living rooms and the bedrooms. Extra detectors may be required for larger dwellings.

What standard should I look for?

You should only buy units that conform to one of the following standards:

* Irish standard IS409:1988
* British Standard BS5446:Part 1
* American Standard ANSI UL 217
* (or other equivalent standard)

Where should I locate the detectors?

Detectors should be mounted on the ceiling towards the centre of the area. They should not be located too close to extractors or light fittings and should be kept away from the junction of walls and ceiling. Make sure that you can hear your smoke alarm when the doors of your bedrooms are closed.

How often should I test the alarm?

Most smoke alarms have a test button and this should be pressed once a week to ensure that the alarm is working.

How long do batteries last?

Batteries will last at least a year and long life batteries will last a number of years. Most alarms will emit an intermittent beep for up to a week when the battery is low. Change the battery immediately. Remember to check your alarms as soon as you return from holidays.

Will I get a lot of false alarms?

These alarms are very reliable and will rarely give false alarms. Never assume that when your alarm operates that it is a false alarm. Always investigate, it may save your life. It may be an incipient fire that your nose has not yet detected. Sometimes alarms located close to the kitchen will pick up smoke from a burning grill or from burning toast. (Well, after all, that