FP advice

[velbert]

I have a pal (no, really I do) he is an artist working with stained glass, he's messaged me with this:-

I have a shed converted into a nice stained glass studio at home. It will have printer , laptop. Microwave in but the vast majority would be wood it's 10' x 6'. I wondered if you could advise and or supply me with what you consider to the most appropriate fire extinguisher.

What sort of precautions would you advise in general and about an extinguisher? Thanks in advance ....

[Kwacker]

CO2 is the obvious choice for electrical equipment such as computers, printers etc. However you could also consider a decent foam extinguisher which will be safe to use on a live electrical based fire as all FFE extinguishers in the UK should be up to BS standard and tested to a 35 kV dielectric test. Advantage of foam is it can also be used on carbonaceous based fires so negates the need to purchase an additional CO2 type but foam does leave a residue behind on electrical equipment which is a downside.

https://www.safelincs.co.uk/fire-extingu...s-section/

General precautions in a tiny premises such as this are pretty much common sense but feel free to direct your mate towards this website which we send out to members of the public who enquire about similar info:-

https://www.healthyworkinglives.scot/wor...-take.aspx

Hope that helps!

[velbert]

CO2 is the obvious choice for electrical equipment such as computers, printers etc. However you could also consider a decent foam extinguisher which will be safe to use on a live electrical based fire as all FFE extinguishers in the UK should be up to BS standard and tested to a 35 kV dielectric test. Advantage of foam is it can also be used on carbonaceous based fires so negates the need to purchase an additional CO2 type but foam does leave a residue behind on electrical equipment which is a downside.

https://www.safelincs.co.uk/fire-extingu...s-section/

General precautions in a tiny premises such as this are pretty much common sense but feel free to direct your mate towards this website which we send out to members of the public who enquire about similar info:-

https://www.healthyworkinglives.scot/wor...-take.aspx

Hope that helps!

Thanks, passed on

[strontium dog]

Another thing, may be covered in the links given above, ensure power supply to the shed has been done properly. Ring main, rcd, armoured cable or trunked, correct rating and type of cable for power/light circuit, earthing etc. Basic but crucial.

Not sure what equipment will be used for the stain glass production, but microwave or standard electric kettles draw a disproportionately large current.

Done properly, no worries. Done badly, in a wooden shed???

[bill.advanced]

For normal electrical use 2.5mm armoured cable buried at least 450mm (18 inches) for frost protection. This also ensures that anyone carrying out normal gardening will not come in contact with armoured cable. The building should also have its own consumer unit and connected to the consumer unit from main feeder building, and protected by a 15amp mcb breaker. Any lighting within the building should be connected to a 5amp mcb breaker within consumer unit.

If the distance from the main supply to this building is greater than 30metres then consider upgrading to 4mm armoured cable.