Protecting Fire Extinguishers for Transport

Fire extinguishers are heavy products and contain elements that can easily be broken or bent in transit (gauges, release-pins and handles), especially if the carrier places the extinguisher on its head or drops the extinguisher.

Any dents in the side of the extinguisher are also rendering the extinguishers unserviceable and require a full replacement. Yet, some online fire safety companies are sending out fire extinguishers without special protection. In the best case scenario, the customer spots the damage and can make a claim. After some toing and froing with the carrier and the seller, the extinguishers are eventually collected and replaced at great expense. In the worst case scenario, the customer does not detect the damage and the extinguisher might not operate correctly in an emergency. If for example the release pin is bent, the extinguisher cannot be deployed at all. This is a particularly high risk, if soft, thin pull-out pins are fitted in cheap extinguishers.

To protect its customers, Safelincs has for many years worked hard on the packaging and design of its ranges of quality extinguishers. We have coordinated with our own suppliers to improve the quality of their packaging to enable us to pass that quality onto the customer. Such changes include thickening the outer boxes for increased protection. Where those changes still do not meet our stringent standards, we have introduced additional packing materials to protect the extinguisher heads. Importantly, we have now replaced all polystyrene packing materials with recycled cardboard and found it to be equally as effective while reducing our impact on the environment.

Both the Gloria and the Ultrafire range of extinguishers are in addition manufactured with hardened, large diameter pins which prevent the bending of the pin in transit.

Safelincs' UltraFire extinguisher range has been taking the transport protection to an even higher level since its launch in 2009. Recycled and shredded cardboard packaging, taken from incoming goods, is used to densely pack the extinguisher head including between the trigger handles. In this way, the energy of any transport pressures and knocks are transferred onto the strong shoulder of the extinguisher body.

Reviewed: 09/04/2020 (doc:27 V1.1). Our articles are reviewed regularly. However, any changes made to standards or legislation following the review date will not have been considered. Please note that we provide abridged, easy-to-understand guidance. To make detailed decisions about your fire safety provisions, you might require further advice or need to consult the full standards and legislation.