First aid firefighting equipment
The basic supplies of a safe home include first-aid firefighting equipment. If a fire breaks out in the house, a fire blanket and a portable fire extinguisher can save you, your family and your property. Everyone is responsible for their own safety, so keep your own environment safe and pay attention to the basics. Small things can mean great improvements in safety...
Firefighting equipment is intended for extinguishing fire starts
Firefighting equipment includes:
- hand-held fire extinguishers,
- fire blankets,
- mobile fire extinguishing carts,
- rapid fire hydrants installed in buildings, and
- other manually operated portable products designed for the early stages of fire.
When a fire breaks out, it is important to try and put it out as quickly as possible. Always try first aid firefighting if at all possible. This will minimise any damage. Select suitable equipment and always keep it in a place where you can see and get hold of it easily.
Buy first aid firefighting equipment. Get to know the equipment, practise with it and learn to use it.
In accordance with the obligation of self-preparedness under the Rescue Act, buildings and public events must be prepared for extinguishing fires. The determination and acquisition of necessary firefighting equipment are the responsibility of the building owner, occupier, and operator. Preparedness for fire extinguishing is also regulated in various laws concerning occupational safety and chemical safety
Hand extinguishers must be maintained and inspected
The inspection and maintenance obligation for hand extinguishers applies to so-called mandatory extinguishers in buildings. Only a hand extinguisher maintenance service approved by the Safety Technology Center may perform maintenance and inspection.
A used hand extinguisher is always taken for servicing
A hand extinguisher stored in dry and constant temperature conditions must be inspected by the maintenance service every two years. Inspection should be conducted annually if the extinguisher is exposed to vibration, moisture, or weather variations. Additionally, hand extinguishers are subject to periodic inspections in accordance with pressure equipment regulations every 11 years. Nowadays, hand extinguishers are completely replaced when the aforementioned inspection is due. Rapid fire hydrants should be inspected annually, and hoses should be pressure tested every five years.
Where can I buy fire extinguishers?
In addition to maintenance companies, first aid firefighting equipment is also available in hardware stores and shops selling household appliances as well as car and boating accessory stores.
What to do with an empty fire extinguisher
You can take an empty portable fire extinguisher to the nearest metal collection point. A pressurised extinguisher can be taken to the nearest maintenance company, which will dispose of it. A used fire blanket can be dumped with mixed waste. A fire blanket can only be used once.
Read more:
Ministry of the Interior Decree on Portable Fire Extinguishers (In Finnish)
Ministry of the Interior Decree on Maintenance and Inspections of Portable Fire Extinguishers (In Finnish)
Fire blanket
Portable fire extinguishers
Stirrup pump and fire hose reel
First aid firefighting
