Serpentine Green is a shopping centre located in the Hampton Hargate district of Southern Peterborough. When it opened in 1999, it hosted the largest Tesco in the UK (130,000 square feet). The centre comprises 34 shop units including branches of WHSmith, Next, Outfit, H&M, Boots as well as many branches of other national retailers.
It is part of the portfolio of leading UK commercial property company, British Land.
Serpentine Green needed to replace fire extinguishers internally and in its external bin and plant rooms. It was using several different types of extinguisher including water and CO2. This necessitated training staff in the use of the various appliances and the types of fire they were appropriate for use on.
Having one type of extinguisher in each area would simplify safety arrangements.
Safelincs was able to recommend P50 service-free extinguishers. Due to their unique construction, these appliances are guaranteed for ten years during which time they will not require an engineer call-out. Made from a composite material, that will not rust or corrode, they only require an annual inspection which can be undertaken by one of Serpentine Green’s own employees. After ten years they can be refurbished and used for a further ten years.
The P50s have an extinguisher rating that far surpasses those of other appliances. They are also significantly lighter.
Safelincs supplied P50 foam extinguishers for the internal areas. These are suitable for use on class A solid combustible fires and liquefying plastics, creating a cooling blanket effect, smothering burning materials and preventing reignition. Importantly, they are safe for use on live electrical devices powered by up to 1000 Volt at a distance of one metre, replacing CO2 extinguishers for electrical equipment.
The powder versions are suitable for outdoor use on class A, B and C type fires and safe on electrical equipment. These were purchased for the shopping centre’s bin and plant rooms.
"There are both cost and logistical benefits," explained Steve Coulson, Operations Manager, Serpentine Green. "We have cut down on the number of extinguishers we need and, with only one type of extinguisher in each area, it is more straightforward for employees who would might be required to use them."
And, with no external maintenance required, there is a large saving on cost.
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