Need help!!

**SammySplodger** · 22-10-2013, 09:48 PM

Oh and re: electric smoke alarms - what about power cuts? I had wired ones in attic bedroom of my previous house (fire regs) but I also had a battery one as backup.

**bunyip** · 23-10-2013, 09:38 AM

Our mains alarms were fitted by the electrician who did a complete rewire of the house. He said it was now obligatory for licenced sparkies to fit a linked mains system as part of the job before they could issue the certificate of work. Any such system would have to have a battery back-up, instead of the older mains systems which just went off if the power supply cut out. (No idea if this is correct: if I'd known the first thing about electrics, then we probably wouldn't have needed to get a man in.

)

If you have a mains system, do not get lulled into a false sense of security. They still need to be tested, and so does the battery because batteries slowly discharge their power ofver a period of time, even if they are never 'used in anger.'

**tulip0803** · 23-10-2013, 09:47 AM

Our area had Fire Protection training and we were told the same thing. Don't bother with fire extinguishers unless you need it to get out. The only reason to use a fire blanket is if someone is alight (heaven forbid). Do not fight fire just get out and call fire brigade. Things have got worse and people have been badly injured by trying to use the extinguishers and blankets so they now advise to just get out.

**lizduncan72** · 23-10-2013, 11:12 AM

I was told the same by local fire brigade-their advise was get out and call them, they're trained to fight fires,we're not! We should do our job by getting out and getting the kids out and safe and let them do their job in fighting the fire

**bluebell3** · 26-10-2013, 08:49 PM

Our local fire brigade wouldnt' come out to inspect my house - they only do it for at risk groups like the elderly. Fortunately we have electric fire alarms so the electirican checked it all out

**SammySplodger** · 26-10-2013, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by bluebell

Our local fire brigade wouldnt' come out to inspect my house - they only do it for at risk groups like the elderly. Fortunately we have electric fire alarms so the electirican checked it all out

We ARE classified as an 'at risk' group - a house with several young children. My fire brigade have this on their website and were more than happy to visit me. I'd ask again or email.

**bluebell3** · 26-10-2013, 09:13 PM

ok thank you - will do! although we only have retained fire fighters in the area so may have been to do with that.

**bunyip** · 27-10-2013, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by SammySplodger

We ARE classified as an 'at risk' group - a house with several young children. My fire brigade have this on their website and were more than happy to visit me. I'd ask again or email.

This depends entirely on where you live. We were an "at risk" group a few years ago, but are no longer. Or, put another way, budget cuts decide who is now expendable. 'At risk' groups here are now such as the elderly, people with disabilities and families on benefit. I have no idea who decided that being out of work makes people more flammable, but there you have it.