Bob Armstrong (University of Nottingham - Fire Safety Advisor), shares his knowledge and experiences:
We have to provide fire extinguishers or fire fighting equipment under the British standards and the only time I would expect anyone to use a fire extinguisher or a piece of fire fighting equipment, is if they are trapped by the fire in a room or a corridor. Now if you react to the fire alarm and follow the fire procedure then you won't get trapped - it is as simple as that, and I'm confident with that, because the buildings we have got are very, very safe and the procedures are very good.
To me, using a fire extinguisher, having been in the fire service for a long, long time, a water extinguisher last 45 seconds, a 9 litre water extinguisher will last 45 seconds, after that you have got an empty water extinguisher and the room you are in, because the brightest part of a room on fire is around the flames, er - the products that have been given off by the fire are going to hit the ceiling, mushroom across and drop down behind you. You will be drawn like a moth to the fire, and after 45 seconds you have got an empty extinguisher and a room full of smoke. You are victim number 1.
Er, I think it is far better that if we discover a fire, or get involved in a room that is on fire. Leave the room, shut the door and contain the heat and smoke. Raise the alarm by breaking the nearest manual call point and put the fire alarm into procedure. In the Medical school we dial 2222, and get through to the switchboard and tell them that we need the fire brigade. They will already know that we have set the fire alarm off, but you are now confirming the room and everything. If it is on the main campus or anywhere else other than the Med school it is 8888 and the same information. They'll know the fire alarm's operated, but you're now confirming that you have a fire in a room, but you do need the fire brigade. You know, so to me it is a case of get out, shut the door and call the fire brigade out!
