Do you need fire extinguisher training?

In the UK the business owner (Responsible Person) is legally responsible for adequate fire safety provision. Adequate protection and adequate training must be provided.

An extinguisher should never be used by untrained personnel. Selecting the wrong extinguisher for the particular type of fire (e.g. solid fire, liquid fire, electrical, gas etc) could make the problem much worse.

Perhaps before asking ‘Do you need fire extinguisher training?’ the first question should be ‘Do you need fire extinguishers?’. The answer is – this should be determined by a fire-risk assessment but the reality is most businesses do. UK government advice tells us that even a one room shop should carry at least one multi-class extinguisher. What is clear is that when the decision to fit extinguishers is taken then training must be given to those members of staff who would use them.

As training, and in particular regular refresher training, can be expensive then you must decide how many people can use the extinguishers. You may opt for just a select few as this would keep costs down but training everyone may ensure your business doesn’t get lost to a devastating fire.

Although hands-on practical training would be the ideal it is not the only acceptable method of training and undoubtedly is the most expensive. There are alternative methods such as video, DVD or online but courses can only be accepted as ‘training’ if there is an accompanying test-of-knowledge with a minimum pass mark.

Watching a video or DVD alone with no test is not acceptable. You need to prove the information was understood.

Our online training has a video learning section, an online test with 80% pass mark required and downloadable certificate and training record templates.

With ‘lifetime’ access for just £19.95 it is incredibly popular.

Click [Access Online Extinguisher Training] now.