Course on safe operation and maintenance of hand-held firefighting equipment

Hand-held firefighting equipment - operation and maintenance 

You are invited to enrol for a course in the operation and maintenance of hand-held firefighting equipment at ERGON! Fire protection training is dedicated to all company employees, regardless of their position or type of work. We offer training in fire protection and the safe use of fire extinguishers and fire blankets, as well as how to maintain hand-held fire extinguishing equipment. 

Issues to be discussed 

Our course is divided into theoretical and practical parts. In the theoretical part, participants learn about the division of fires and the types of firefighting equipment. They become familiar with the current regulations on the use and maintenance of hand-held firefighting equipment.  

The theoretical part covers topics such as: 

• fire hazards present in the workplace, 
• the fire instruction manual of the facility, 
• fire and evacuation markings, 
• the location of portable fire-fighting equipment on the premises, 
• handling fire extinguishers, blankets and hydrants, 
• alarm procedures, 
• evacuation, 
• assistance to victims, 
• maintenance of fire extinguishers. 

In the practical part, participants will: 

• practise handling different types of fire extinguishers, 
• practice using a fire blanket and an indoor hydrant, 
• maintain the fire extinguisher, 
• become proficient in maintaining the various components of an extinguisher. 

Purpose of the training 

The training we offer is designed to give participants the necessary knowledge on how to behave correctly in a fire situation. The aim of the training is to familiarise trainees with the principles of fire protection and how to use different types of fire extinguishers or fire blankets correctly and safely. Participants will also learn about the regulations concerning the maintenance of hand-held fire extinguishing equipment and the methods of carrying out this process. 

Who is the course designed for? 

Participation in our course is particularly recommended for employees who need to acquire or refresh their knowledge of fire protection and for employees who have been designated in the company to fight fires and carry out evacuations. 

What do we count as hand-held firefighting equipment? 

The category of hand-held firefighting equipment includes portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets, which allow them to be used directly at the point of danger thanks to the fact that they are easy to move from place to place. They are particularly useful in the first phase of a fire, when it is possible to activate the extinguisher immediately and direct the extinguishing agent directly at the flame.  

A blanket is a specialised non-combustible sheet of fabric with a surface area of approximately 2 m²used to nip a fire in the bud by cutting off the supply of oxygen to the burning object. 

Groups of fires 

A key element of the training is to familiarise the trainees with the use of the appropriate equipment in a given situation, depending on the type of fire - this includes fire extinguishers, blankets and hydrants. In the event of a fire, it is also important to know about the phenomenon of temperature rise of objects close to the flame, so participants will be equipped with knowledge of how different extinguishing agents behave when extinguishing different groups of fires.  

Solid fires - Solid materials such as wood, paper, textiles can give off dangerous gases and vapours when exposed to heat. This type of fire falls into category A.  

Fire in flammable liquids and melting substances - These include, for example, varnishes, fats, petrol, paraffin, paraffin, stearin and many others. These substances evaporate to form a cloud over the top of the liquid, which can lead to an explosive mixture. This is a category B fire.  

Flammable gas fires - Examples of this type of combustion are a methane fire in a mine or a gas cylinder explosion. This type of fire falls into category C.  

Metal fires - Depending on the chemical composition of the alloy, metals consume oxygen from the air in different ways, but any such fire is equally dangerous. The metals involved in a fire fall into category D.  

Fat fires - fires in cooking equipment that occur frequently have often led to tragedy due to the incorrect way of extinguishing them. Group F fires are not extinguished with water.   

Maintenance of portable firefighting equipment 

Both those designated to fight fires and conduct evacuations, managers and rank-and-file employees should have knowledge of fire extinguisher maintenance. 

Types of portable fire extinguishers	Basic maintenance	Extended maintenance	Overhaul and refilling
Water, foam and with water extinguishing agent	yearly	every 5 years	every 10 years
Powder	yearly	every 5 years	every 10 years
Powder sealed	yearly	every 15 years	every 10 years
For a clean centre	yearly	not applicable	every 10 years
For carbon dioxide	yearly	not applicable	every 10 years

Why train with us? 

• we have experience in fire training; 
• the training is provided by a qualified fire inspector who is certified to provide training in occupational health and safety and fire protection; 
• We focus on practical skills. 

If you have any questions about our offer please contact us - our staff will be happy to help clarify any doubts. We encourage you to make use of our services!