An evaluation of the role of fire extinguishers

221. By recognising the motivation and capability of the public, professionals should seek to work with
their behaviours. Where a specific and unacceptably high risk is identified, officials should work in
conjunction (co-create) with the public to find ways to reduce or avoid this. But in deciding the
tolerable balance or risk/reward, regard must be given to seeing this from the public’s perspective
as well. The level of risk the public experience in most dwelling/HMO fires (and their acceptance of
incurring minor injuries) is entirely comparable to other everyday activities such as DIY or driving,
which individuals are free to undertake, the principle being that people should not unreasonably
endanger others. Tackling a fire generally presents a low risk to those undertaking it but is also an
activity which can reduce the risk to others if the fire were otherwise allowed to develop. The
potential for small fires to develop catastrophically remains, as has been seen in several recent
fires, including the one at Grenfell. The longer the period that lapses until an active intervention is
made, the greater the risk. Therefore, the early use of portable extinguishers must be considered
as an essential option in any objective and evidence-based fire safety strategy.
222. Currently the public are not recognised as the essential component of fire response that they are.
If the professional services acknowledged them as partners, fire safety could be enhanced or even
transformed. There is an opportunity to build on the public’s willingness and capability through
taking a user-centred approach to develop the advice, support and equipment they need. In that
respect, it is like the model used for cardiac arrest response by placing automated external
defibrillators in the community and providing remote assistance by phone. It empowers those first
at the scene to get the best possible outcome until professional response arrives, if required. This
should be the model and principle for dwelling/HMO fires.
223. Reframing the relationship with the public would have important consequences for the fire
extinguisher sector. Not least of which would be to see extinguishers as not just a regulatory
requirement but something which is valued by the end-user to reduce or avoid the consequences
of a fire. How the public tackle fires and their experience of using an extinguisher needs greater
research. But ensuring the public have access to appropriate equipment, such as extinguishers, is
key. Despite their success in doing so, the public are having to tackle fires with improvised means
too often. Better aligning extinguisher design and marketing with actual customer behaviour and
motivations, is likely to create new opportunities to expand the market for them and related
services.
224. The use of standards makes an important contribution to the safety and effectiveness of
extinguishers by providing a minimum criterion. The potential disadvantage is that these can
discourage or impede innovation. Ideally, all standards should strike a balance between
maintaining contemporary thresholds whilst encouraging continuous improvement.
Recommendations 3 and 4
225. Legislation, standards, guidance and services in relation to fire safety should be better aligned to
the evidence of the public’s desires, capability and contribution when encountering a
dwelling/HMO fire.
226. Human behaviour knowledge, customer feedback programmes and a user-centred approach
should be adopted to provide new insight into the public’s requirements in terms of fire
extinguisher design, including their aesthetics.
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