Given the sheer number of cars and other vehicles all over the UK, vehicle fire safety is only becoming more important. The fire hazards present in vehicles of all kinds can be very severe, which makes proper fire vehicle fire safety essential. Unfortunately, vehicle fire safety is something that often gets overlooked.    

This is made far more complicated by the fact that there’s a lot of conflicting information about fire safety in commercial vehicles. A lot of people assume that commercial vehicles count as a ‘workplace’ and need to follow the requirements set out in the FSO2005. However, that’s not actually the case. Of course, just because a commercial vehicle doesn’t count as a ‘workplace’, that doesn’t mean you don’t have responsibilities when it comes to fire safety.    

Fire extinguishers are a central part of any fire safety measures and being able to correctly utilise them when you’re out on the road is extremely important. In this guide, we’re going to look at using fire extinguishers safely in a range of vehicles. We will discuss which vehicles require fire extinguishers, as well as some of the most common vehicle fire hazards. After that, we’ll look at choosing the right vehicle fire extinguisher, how to store it safely, and how to use it as safely as possible.  

Which vehicles need fire extinguishers?   

All vehicles benefit from the presence of a fire extinguisher. There are all kinds of hazards out on the road and a fire extinguisher is one of the best ways to ensure that you keep yourself as safe as possible.   

Private cars  

Private cars are not legally required to carry fire extinguishers. However, there are still fire hazards  

present when driving a private vehicle so an ABC dry powder fire extinguisher can be very valuable. Electric vehicles also present fire hazards resulting from their lithium batteries. These fires shouldn’t be fought with a fire extinguisher. In this case, a FireShield Lithium Battery Fire Blanket would be a much better choice.   

Taxis   

Taxis, as well as other private hire vehicles, are legally required to carry a fire extinguisher. The local vehicle licensing authority will usually dictate the capacity of a required fire extinguisher.   

Public transport   

There are specific regulations surrounding public transport vehicles like buses and coaches. These are often laid out by local authorities. However, all of these vehicles are required to carry at least one 2L foam fire extinguisher. A FireShield Foam Fire Extinguisher of this size is ideal for buses, coaches, and minibuses due to its ability to effectively tackle Class A, and B fires.   

Commercial vehicles   

When conducting a fire risk assessment, an employer should ensure their commercial vehicles, including HGVs, contain the right fire extinguishers. If a commercial vehicle doesn’t contain any hazardous materials, it’s recommended that they at least carry an ABC powder fire extinguisher, such as the FireShield Dry Powder Extinguisher. However, if the vehicle is carrying any kind of hazardous materials, including petrochemicals, it needs to comply with CDG and ADR regulations.   

The fire extinguisher requirements when transporting dangerous goods depend on the load and vehicle size. Any vehicle carrying dangerous goods must carry a dry powder extinguisher of at least 2kg capacity inside the cab. Above 3.5 tonnes, additional extinguishers are required, including an extinguisher of 6kg capacity. You can find the exact guidelines here.  

Caravans and motorhomes   

Caravans and motorhomes often contain both electrical equipment and kitchens. This means that there are multiple different classes of fire hazards. There is likely to be gas on board these vehicles. That means you need a fire extinguisher that is capable of extinguishing class C fires, such as a dry powder extinguisher.  

Common vehicle fire hazards   

Vehicle fires are relatively rare, but they do still happen. This makes being aware of the types of potential fire hazards very important.  

Design flaws  

Fires resulting from vehicle design flaws are rare. Vehicle manufacturers dedicate a lot of time to ensuring that these kinds of flaws are dealt with before the vehicle becomes available. If a range of vehicles does feature the kind of flaw that potentially poses a fire hazard, most manufacturers will issue a recall to get those cars off the road as quickly as possible.    

A lack of maintenance   

While failing to keep your vehicles maintained isn’t going to cause a fire by itself, it can increase the chance of a fire starting. Everything from leaky seals to faulty wiring can go ignored if a vehicle isn’t undergoing thorough, routine maintenance. This is especially true with older cars. If you are using any commercial vehicles, you must ensure that they are regularly maintained to avoid increasing the risk of a fire.  

Collisions  

Most vehicles are designed to minimise the risk of a fire if a crash occurs, but they can still happen. A hard enough collision can cause fuel leakage, as well as sparks and heat. The threat of fire might not be immediately obvious following a crash, which is why it’s important to get as far away from a damaged car as possible right away.  

Choosing the right vehicle fire extinguisher  

As with any other fire safety situation, the commercial vehicle fire extinguisher that you need will depend on the class of fires that you’re at risk for.  

Dry Powder  

Dry powder fire extinguishers, also known as ABC powder fire extinguishers, are incredibly versatile and able to tackle Class A, B, and C fires. This makes them useful in a wide range of fire safety situations. This makes them ideal for many different vehicles, including motorhomes that may contain flammable gas. Their compact size also makes them a great choice for private cars and taxis.   

Foam  

Foam fire extinguishers are a legal requirement for public transport vehicles like buses and coaches. Their large size and ability to tackle Class A and B fires make them extremely useful in these larger vehicles.  

Wet Chemical   

If a vehicle contains any kind of kitchen, such as motorhomes or food trucks, then a wet chemical extinguisher is essential. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed to fight Class F fires, fires caused by cooking oils and fats. Other types of extinguishers aren’t suitable for these fires due to their high flash point. Wet chemical extinguishers aren’t necessarily the most commonly used commercial vehicle fire extinguishers, but if you are using your vehicle for cooking in any way, their importance can’t be overstated.  

Storing your vehicle fire extinguisher   

One of the issues when storing a fire extinguisher in any kind of vehicle is that there is likely to be a lot of movement that can disturb the extinguisher. If they’re not stored safely, they could easily get damaged in transit. If your extinguisher gets damaged, you won’t be able to fight a fire effectively.   

This means that you need to ensure that you have the correct transport bracket for your extinguisher. Choosing the right bracket will depend on both the type of vehicle you have as well as the type and size of your fire extinguisher.  

It’s also important to consider where to store your extinguisher. Some vehicles, like buses, will have specific regulations about where to store your extinguisher. However, it’s typically a good idea to store your extinguisher in a place where it’s unlikely to get in the way of anyone trying to enter or exit the vehicle. When conducting a fire risk assessment and choosing your commercial vehicle fire extinguisher, carefully consider the best place to keep your extinguisher.  

If you have multiple types of extinguishers in your vehicle, you should ensure that they’re clearly labelled to avoid getting them mixed up and choosing the wrong extinguisher.  

Using your fire extinguisher safely  

When using a vehicle fire extinguisher, your safety should always be your highest priority. Make sure that you exit the vehicle as quickly as possible if you suspect that a fire might potentially start.  

You should take all the same precautions that you would when using a fire extinguisher in any other situation. Only tackle a fire if it appears small and contained, and if the fire doesn’t seem to be going out, get to a safe distance and call the fire brigade.   

If you’re driving a commercial vehicle, your employer should provide you with the right training to use the specific extinguisher carried in your vehicle. You may find that a fire begins inside the vehicle rather than in the engine or wiring. In this case, you should still make sure that you get yourself and any passengers to a safe distance.   

Conclusion  

Despite certain specific requirements, most of the important elements of fighting vehicle fires require the same understanding and awareness as fighting any other fires. You should always return to your fire risk assessment and provide the right training to anyone driving commercial vehicles for your business. Proper preparation and understanding of the correct procedure are essential for safely using a vehicle fire extinguisher.  

If you want more information on the right vehicle fire extinguisher for you, speak to one of our trained experts on 0330 058 0631 or click here to get in touch online.