Fire extinguisher - how do I fit it?

[ladydunraven]

Thank you everyone. All sound advice that I am taking onboard. Getting out is always the priority, the motorhome is insured and can be replaced. Me not so much. Thank you all again.

 

[wildebus]

Fire Extinguishers have expiry dates as well as a "Green Okay" gauge.
Before you fit, check this out as it maybe an idea to just buy a new one, which will come with a cage and screws
A very good compact fire extinguisher will set you back £16-£22 from any motorist store.
Same a fire blanket, don't cost much for piece of mind.

Also, a small fire can be put out. If you leave it for the fire service to arrive, it could develop into a major fire and completely ruin your camper.
Saying that, don't ever tackle an out of control fire.

What is likely a good idea is if you are replacing a date-expired extinguisher is to take the opportunity to use the old one to get some hands-on experience of how to use it (maybe with a fire in a garden incinerator?)

 

[GeoffL]

My insurers, Adrian Flux, have the need to carry a fire extinguisher written into my policy. A lot of friends didn't know about the clause and it seems other insurance companies have the same.

FWIW, not only do Adrian Flux require a fire extinguisher, but they also require it to have an annual certificate issued by a "competent person" or a receipt showing it to have been purchased within the previous 12 months. When I asked them to define "competent person" and to confirm or otherwise that I (who used to service fire extinguishers while in the armed forces) am considered "competent", they could do neither. Thus it seems that they don't know precisely what their own T&Cs mean!

 

[edina]

FWIW, not only do Adrian Flux require a fire extinguisher, but they also require it to have an annual certificate issued by a "competent person" or a receipt showing it to have been purchased within the previous 12 months. When I asked them to define "competent person" and to confirm or otherwise that I (who used to service fire extinguishers while in the armed forces) am considered "competent", they could do neither. Thus it seems that they don't know precisely what their own T&Cs mean!

Fitted a new one earlier in the year and fixed the old one up in the garage/workshop. Can't see a situation where insurers could query age/condition, but I spect they could find one

 

[GeoffL]

Fitted a new one earlier in the year and fixed the old one up in the garage/workshop. Can't see a situation where insurers could query age/condition, but I spect they could find one

I suspect that this is something an underwriter has inserted without understanding what it means. It should be sufficient for the extinguisher to be in date and the gauge in the green. However, this is what AF actually have in their policy document:

You must keep a type approved fire extinguisher in Your Vehicle. This fire extinguisher must undergo a minimum of an annual inspection by a competent person if necessary. We shall not be liable (except as under the Road Traffic Acts) for any liability or damage caused by or arising out of heating, lighting and cooking equipment unless a working type approved fire extinguisher is carried in Your Vehicle.​

​

When I questioned them about this, the agent I spoke with insisted that a certificate was required. However that's not what their policy document actually says.

The subject is a minefield, but some research suggests that there is no formal definition of "competent person" in the eyes of the law. Competence is demonstrated by sufficient training, experience and knowledge; and thus, unless someone else redefines this term (e.g. by requiring a BAFE qualification or equivalent), it appears that anyone who has 'genned up' on the subject can legally call themselves a "fire extinguisher technician" and hence carry out an annual inspection and service.

 

[Mark B]

My insurers, Adrian Flux, have the need to carry a fire extinguisher written into my policy. A lot of friends didn't know about the clause and it seems other insurance companies have the same.

Also insured with Adrian Flux, and fire extinguisher is in the policy, as for fixing wood screws in the panel by the door is the best fixing place.

 

[Mark B]

Fitted a new one earlier in the year and fixed the old one up in the garage/workshop. Can't see a situation where insurers could query age/condition, but I spect they could find one

I think fire extinguishers have an expire date or similar on. Surely it should also be picked up on an annual habitation service.

 

[Frogman]

DON'T BE SELFISH! We carry a fire extinguisher, and have used it twice. Once saved the life of another camper trapped in a burning motorhome by damping down his exit route, second time dowsed a fire in a top fridge vent before it took hold and spread. We'd hope someone would do the same for us in similar circumstances.

 

[subablu]

A common mistake, especially with fire blankets, is to locate them close to where a fire can be anticipated. If, for example, something on the cooker catches fire then you cannot safely get near the cooker to grab a blanket or extinguisher. The best place for the fire fighting equipment is near a door. You can then escape and, if deemed safe, grab an extinguisher or blanket and return to fight the fire with a safe escape route behind you.

 

[Tim120]

These look very useful for our situation cause minimum mess, maintenance free, and can be used on any type of fire, different sizes available too.

Linky Here and another Link Here

Have seen some demonstrations on youtube of the JE 50 types.
If you do decide to use a fire extinguisher be very aware of its and your limitations.

 

[mr brown]

mine is just inside the door,so i can get to it from outside or inside . i carry it as much for other people as myself

 

[Rec]

I suspect that this is something an underwriter has inserted without understanding what it means. It should be sufficient for the extinguisher to be in date and the gauge in the green. However, this is what AF actually have in their policy document:

You must keep a type approved fire extinguisher in Your Vehicle. This fire extinguisher must undergo a minimum of an annual inspection by a competent person if necessary. We shall not be liable (except as under the Road Traffic Acts) for any liability or damage caused by or arising out of heating, lighting and cooking equipment unless a working type approved fire extinguisher is carried in Your Vehicle.​

​

When I questioned them about this, the agent I spoke with insisted that a certificate was required. However that's not what their policy document actually says.

The subject is a minefield, but some research suggests that there is no formal definition of "competent person" in the eyes of the law. Competence is demonstrated by sufficient training, experience and knowledge; and thus, unless someone else redefines this term (e.g. by requiring a BAFE qualification or equivalent), it appears that anyone who has 'genned up' on the subject can legally call themselves a "fire extinguisher technician" and hence carry out an annual inspection and service.

Having worked in insurance many moons ago, I think that the crucial part of that paragraph is "competent person, if necessary".
These fire extinguishers are designed to be regularly checked, show green/red and have a date on them. Therefore the check by a competent person is made if you look at it and follow the instructions. Competent does not necessarily mean "qualified as a fire extinguisher technician". At least that is how I would argue it.

 

[Tony Lee]

Just a minor caution. Deploying the fire blanket requires a strong pull on the two straps so the fixings need to be strong. A removable hook might just leave you holding a blanket still neatly tucked into its pouch

 

[Owlhouse]

DON'T BE SELFISH! We carry a fire extinguisher, and have used it twice. Once saved the life of another camper trapped in a burning motorhome by damping down his exit route, second time dowsed a fire in a top fridge vent before it took hold and spread. We'd hope someone would do the same for us in similar circumstances.

Completely agree! Having had a fire (top fridge vent - £15000 damage), used one of my two extinguishers and turned round to see six fellow campers with their extinguishers! Don’t rely on others though - we were lucky.

 

[S-S]

As another member who has had to use a fire extinguisher. I had to use one inside a motorhome to save an adjacent property. Just letting it all burn was not an option.
The important lesson learned was, don’t place it high up in the doorway. Heat rises and I had severe burns when hastily entering and grabbing it.
The extinguisher saved the house but not the motorhome. Job done.

 

[ladydunraven]

Just a minor caution. Deploying the fire blanket requires a strong pull on the two straps so the fixings need to be strong. A removable hook might just leave you holding a blanket still neatly tucked into its pouch

Thank you for the advise. Both the fire extinguisher and Blanket will be placed near the Habitation door. With regards to the blanket it is placed there to store only. To deploying would be done once I am out of the motorhome and then IF I feel safe will re enter to use it. Getting out is alwys the pririty to me.

 

[Full Member]

My insurers, Adrian Flux, have the need to carry a fire extinguisher written into my policy. A lot of friends didn't know about the clause and it seems other insurance companies have the same.

I'm insured with Aviva through Comfort Insurance and have been for six years now, Chris.
Over that time I've read through the Policy Document whenever it is updated or reissued and can't ever recall seeing a reference to the need to carry a fire extinquisher in the Moho.
This morning I've read through the latest Policy Document (it's been reissued this year) and again can't find a reference to the need to carry a fire extinquisher. Just in case I've missed it, I've opened the document as a PDF file and searched on 'fire'. This highlights 8 instances in the document, none of which refer to an extinquisher. Just to be on the safe side I've also searched on 'fire extinquisher' and NO instances were highlighted.
Phew!
(I just hope I'm looking in the correct place).

Colin

 

[edina]

Colin, mine is in endorsements, towards the end of the policy
'FEE – Fire Extinguisher Endorsement
You must keep a type approved fire extinguisher in Your Vehicle. This fire
extinguisher must undergo a minimum of an annual inspection by a competent
person if necessary. We shall not be liable (except as under the Road Traffic Acts)
for any liability or damage caused by or arising out of heating, lighting and
cooking equipment unless a working type approved fire extinguisher is carried in
Your Vehicle.

 

[GeoffL]

Colin: My Adrian Flux insurance has the same endorsement as Chris. However, I was insured with Safeguard before that (I swapped because Safeguard won't recover vehicles over 20 years old) and they had no such requirement. I guess the point is to read the small print (especially as fire extinguishers are not the only potential gotcha!)

 

[Full Member]

Colin, mine is in endorsements, towards the end of the policy
'FEE – Fire Extinguisher Endorsement
You must keep a type approved fire extinguisher in Your Vehicle. This fire
extinguisher must undergo a minimum of an annual inspection by a competent
person if necessary. We shall not be liable (except as under the Road Traffic Acts)
for any liability or damage caused by or arising out of heating, lighting and
cooking equipment unless a working type approved fire extinguisher is carried in
Your Vehicle.

Thanks, Chris. Nothing in Endorsements.
As it happens , I had a need to phone Comfort this morning to confirm that I want unlimited mileage so took the opportunity to check with them. They said they're not aware of any requirement from Aviva for a fire extinquisher in the Moho.
I have one but don't have it checked each year by anyone other than me. It has a pressure gauge with the needle sitting comfortably in the green zone. I wouldn't even try to use it in the Moho - a rapid escape would always be my aim. It can only really be accessed from outside the drivers door and is there for use outside the Moho, either for me or others.

Colin