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Why Every Home and Car Needs an Aerosol Fire Extinguisher

20/09/2024 • by Chris Bird

Fire safety is a crucial aspect of protecting your loved ones and property, whether at home or on the road. One of the most effective and easy-to-use tools available today is the aerosol fire extinguisher. Unlike traditional fire extinguishers, these compact and portable devices are designed for quick action, making them perfect for use in both your home and car. Having an aerosol fire extinguisher on hand ensures that you're always prepared to handle small fires before they become dangerous. In this blog, we’ll explore why every home and car should have an aerosol fire extinguisher and how this simple investment can make a big difference in your safety.

Key House Fire Statistics in the UK

Understanding the frequency and causes of house fires in the UK is essential for preventing them. In 2024, a home catches fire every 87 seconds, highlighting the ever-present risk of domestic flammables. The UK Fire and Rescue Services respond to nearly 35,000 house fire calls yearly, a significant number compared to the broader EU, where approximately 273,000 electrical home fires occur annually.

One of the most dangerous places for fires to start is the kitchen, with 49% of house fires originating there. Smoking materials are also a significant risk, as they are linked to the highest rate of fatalities in house fires. A typical house fire can spread rapidly, reaching nearby rooms within 30 seconds. Occupants have an estimated three minutes to evacuate once the fire begins, making fast action critical.

Despite the speed and danger, data indicates that over 90% of house fires are preventable with proper safety measures. This emphasises the need for tools like aerosol fire extinguishers in both the home and car to tackle small fires before they grow out of control.

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The Advantages of Having an Aerosol Fire Extinguisher in Your Home

Fire safety is a top priority for homeowners, and having the right equipment on hand can make all the difference in preventing disaster. An aerosol fire extinguisher offers numerous benefits that make it an ideal solution for home safety.

Here are the key advantages of having an aerosol fire extinguisher in your home:

1. Compact and Portable

One of the most significant benefits of an aerosol fire extinguisher is its compact size. Unlike traditional fire extinguishers, which can be bulky and heavy, aerosol models are lightweight and easy to store. This makes them convenient to place in areas of the home where fires are most likely to occur, such as the kitchen, garage or living room.

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2. Easy to Use

The aerosol fire extinguisher is designed for simplicity. Its spray mechanism works similarly to a regular aerosol can, making it intuitive for anyone to use in an emergency. There’s no need for special training or complicated instructions, which is especially important during high-stress situations.

3. Quick Response

In the event of a fire, speed is crucial. An aerosol fire extinguisher allows for rapid response, enabling homeowners to act immediately and stop a small fire from spreading. Its fast-deploying spray ensures that flames are quickly subdued, minimising damage to your property and increasing the chances of a safe outcome.

4. Effective on Multiple Fire Classes

A major advantage of aerosol fire extinguishers in the UK is their ability to cover multiple fire classes, making them versatile for home use. For complete protection, an aerosol fire extinguisher should be rated to handle:

  • Class A: Solid combustibles like wood, paper, or textiles.

  • Class B: Flammable liquids such as petrol, oil, or paint.

  • Class F: Cooking oil and fat fires, common in kitchens.

  • Electrical fires: Fires caused by electrical equipment, such as faulty wiring or appliances.

This versatility means you only need one extinguisher to cover various types of fires, whether in the kitchen, living room, or garage. What type of fire extinguisher do you need?

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5. Safe for Electrical Fires

Electrical fires pose a unique risk, and not all fire extinguishers are safe to use on them. Many aerosol fire extinguishers are specifically designed to tackle electrical fires without causing a risk of electric shock. This makes them ideal for use around electrical appliances, such as televisions, computers, and kitchen devices.

6. Affordable and Accessible

Another advantage of aerosol fire extinguishers is their affordability. They are generally more cost-effective than larger extinguishers, making it easier to invest in multiple units for different rooms in your home. Their compact size also means you can store one in your car for added safety on the road.

7. Ideal for Small, Contained Fires

While aerosol fire extinguishers are not designed for large-scale fires, they are perfect for containing small, early-stage fires. Whether it's a kitchen grease fire, a small electrical fire, or a minor combustion in the garage, an aerosol fire extinguisher can help put out the flames before they grow out of control.

8. Peace of Mind

Knowing you have the right fire safety tools at hand offers peace of mind. An aerosol fire extinguisher ensures you are prepared to handle small fires swiftly and effectively, giving you confidence in your home’s safety.

Where to Place Aerosol Fire Extinguishers in Your Home

For optimal fire safety, it's important to strategically place aerosol fire extinguishers around your home. Consider the following locations:

  1. Kitchen: The most common area for house fires, especially Class F fires caused by cooking oil or grease.

  2. Garage: To handle Class A (combustibles) and Class B (flammable liquids) fires that could arise from stored materials or car repairs.

  3. Living Room: Electrical fires from devices like televisions, heaters, and lamps are a risk here.

  4. Bedrooms: Placing an extinguisher near bedrooms ensures quick access in case a fire breaks out while you're asleep.

By having an aerosol fire extinguisher in these locations, you increase your chances of containing a fire before it spreads, ensuring the safety of your home and family.

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The Advantages of Having an Aerosol Fire Extinguisher in Your Car

When it comes to fire safety, most people focus on protecting their homes, but having an aerosol fire extinguisher in your car is equally important. Vehicle fires can happen unexpectedly, whether due to electrical faults, overheating, or accidents. A portable, easy-to-use aerosol fire extinguisher can make all the difference in preventing a small fire from turning into a life-threatening situation. Here are the key advantages of keeping an aerosol fire extinguisher in your car:

1. Quick Response to Vehicle Fires

Car fires can spread rapidly, particularly if they involve flammable liquids like fuel. An aerosol fire extinguisher allows for a fast and immediate response, giving you the ability to extinguish small fires before they escalate. This can be critical in preventing damage to your car and ensuring the safety of passengers.

2. Effective for Multiple Fire Classes

In the UK, the two most common types of fires in vehicles are covered by Class A and Class B ratings, both of which can be handled by a properly rated aerosol fire extinguisher:

  • Class A: Fires involving solid combustibles such as upholstery, fabric, and plastics inside the car.

  • Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids like petrol, diesel, and engine oil.

By choosing an aerosol fire extinguisher rated for both Class A and Class B fires, you ensure that you can tackle the types of fires most likely to occur in a vehicle.

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The Solution to All Your Fire Safety Needs: The Zenova FX500 Aerosol Fire Extinguisher

When it comes to ensuring safety at home, in your car, or anywhere fire hazards may exist, the Zenova FX500 aerosol fire extinguisher is the ultimate solution. Offering unrivalled versatility and performance, this extinguisher is designed to handle any type of fire quickly and effectively, making it an essential tool for your fire safety strategy. Whether it's a small domestic fire, a kitchen fire or a car blaze, the Zenova FX500 provides peace of mind and reliable fire protection.

Safe for Class A, B and F Type Fires

The Zenova FX500 is tested to the highest UK safety standards, making it one of the most effective fire extinguishers available for home and car use. Rated to cover:

  • Class A fires: Solid combustibles like wood and plastics.

  • Class B fires: Flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, and oil.

  • Class F fires: Kitchen fires caused by cooking oils and fats.

  • Electrical fires: Tested to handle up to 1000 volts, it’s safe for use on fires involving electrical equipment.

The Zenova FX500

Introducing the Zenova FX500 aerosol fire extinguisher from the Fire Protection Shop, this extinguisher is small and compact with 500ml of contents, capable of fighting A, B, & F fires.

Independently tested to BS6165 for A, B & F class fires. The fluid used in the extinguisher has been tested and certified to EN1568 and EN3-7.

Buy Now

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360° Dispersion for Ultimate Control

The Zenova FX500 features innovative bag-on-valve technology, which allows you to spray the extinguisher from any angle, even upside down. This 360° orientation ensures that no matter how the extinguisher is positioned, you can quickly and effectively tackle a fire. This feature is especially useful in tight or awkward spaces, such as in a vehicle or under a counter.

Tested and Certified for UK Fire Safety Standards

The Zenova FX500 has been independently fire-tested to the UK’s stringent BS6165 standard for fire extinguishers. It is certified to handle:

  • 3A rating for Class A fires (combustible materials like wood and plastic)

  • 15B (heptane) and 21B (diesel) ratings for Class B fires (flammable liquids)

  • 15F rating for Class F fires (cooking oil)

  • 1000v dielectric test for safe use on electrical fires

These ratings ensure that the Zenova FX500 is a versatile, high-performance extinguisher that can be relied on for various fire hazards.

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