Class A – Solid Combustibles – eg Paper, Plastics, Textiles, Wood etc.

Class B – Flammable Liquids – Petrol, Diesel, Oil, Alcohols etc.

Class C – Flammable Gases – Methane, Propane, Butane etc.

Electrical Fires – Rated up to 100,000 volts – ideal for electrical appliances, wiring, workshop machines, and even 3-phase, regular and lead acid batteries (this class does NOT include lithium batteries – this is a separate classification).

Class F – Cooking Oils and Fats.

*It is not suitable for lithium-ion batteries and established coal or charcoal (log fires and bonfires). The Fire Safety Stick will interrupt the oxygen to initially put the flames out, but because of the heat within the coals or logs, the fire will re-ignite. 

Just compare that to a traditional powder extinguisher weighing 1kg to 2kg – these would only have a discharge time of just 7 seconds – providing it has been correctly maintained, often they haven’t been!

The FSS acts by displacing the oxygen (it does this at the flame level) interrupting the chain of combustion (fire triangle – Heat/Fuel/Oxygen). 

This process does not remove the local oxygen levels, whereas some traditional extinguishers do (eg Halon and CO2 extinguishers).

*However, we do not recommend discharging while aimed at a person’s face.

In a real fire situation, the smoke/toxins inhaled from the fire would be a much greater danger. 

One of the great advantages of the Fire Safety Stick is that in confined areas, you can activate it, and leave it to repress (slow) or potentially suppress (stop) the fire in the room whilst you escape. No need to hold a trigger to keep it going! 

During discharge, a chemical reaction does take place which occasionally expels a trace amount of soot from the casing. Even in the most extreme instance, the net total of discharge is so minuscule compared to a traditional extinguisher that it is considered to be non-existent.

Beyond the clean nature of the discharge, FSS is non-corrosive, non-toxic, and environmentally safe. Compare this to a typical powder or foam extinguisher which often creates much more damage and/or mess. 

In addition, the solid chemical that makes up the Fire Safety Stick has a theoretical non-expiry date, although here in the UK we suggest 15 years based on current tests. The manufacturers have batch-tested Fire Safety Sticks that were 15 years since being manufactured and are still completely operational.

Currently, it does not have the British Standards (BSi) Approval and therefore, a Kitemark. Existing BSi approvals for extinguishers (EN3) are based upon traditional pressurised extinguishers, with specific guidelines for pressure gauges, corrosion tests, servicing etc.

However, because the Fire Safety Stick is a unique system current guidelines do not apply to it. Therefore, BSi would need to create a whole new approvals process for this type of extinguisher, which has only been introduced to the UK market since Spring 2019. 

Traditional extinguishers, once activated must be commercially disposed of and/or re-charged if suitable. Even if traditional extinguishers are only used for a fraction of their capacity they must then be professionally recharged, and not hung back on the wall or put back, as the pressure seal has now been compromised.

The non-explosiveness of the Fire Safety Stick aerosol fire suppressant is officially recognised, value binding, and has a European validity by the Italian Ministerial Decree 04/04/1973 by Homeland Security 557/PAS.7317-XV.J.(3766) (Prevention and monitoring, possession of illegal fireworks and classified as non-exploding), in conformity with Ministerial Decree D.M. 4.4.1973 (G.U. n. 120 dated 10.5.1973) further to the advice by the Advisory Committee for Weapons Control as well as by the Prefecture in Turin, Italy. 

Lithium-ion batteries can act like a Roman candle firework if engaged in thermal runaway. Spitting heat, ultra-high temperature objects and dangerous gases in all directions.

Small computer or phone battery flames may be extinguished but, due to thermal runaway within the battery, the fire could likely re-start.

For larger batteries, such as e-scooters and e-bikes (and bigger), we would strongly recommend NOT attempting to tackle such a fire, even with a certified lithium battery fire extinguisher due to the extreme danger. 

For this same reason, the Fire Safety Stick is unsuitable for the drivetrain battery in electric vehicles (EVs). Of course, the Fire Safety Stick is fine to deal with fires from the ancillary devices onboard powered by the regular 12/24-volt systems. 

Inside the metal tube is a solid inorganic resin, which consists of potassium nitrate, which is completely safe and stable. When activated, a chemical reaction occurs that breaks the resin down to nitrogen gas, this inert gas pushes out the active agent which is potassium free radicals, or ions. These ions (about 3-4 microns in size) bind to the oxygen around the flame, which becomes potassium oxide, and in doing so displaces the oxygen at the flame level. This creates a smoke, or vapour jet, which is completely safe for you and the environment.

To operate, it is not too dissimilar to lighting a matchstick.

Step 1: Remove and discard the TOP yellow cap.

Step 2: Take the BOTTOM yellow striker cap from the handle.

Step 3: Connect the brown and rough striking surface on the yellow striker cap with the black tip at the top of the stick.

Step 4: Flick/strike to start activation (repeat if needed).

It is different to other extinguishers so it’s important to make sure the user does read the instructions as soon as they get it so they are ready in an emergency. These are on the box, on the stick and on the leaflet inside. Plus, there are QR codes that link to a web page and video too. 

The Fire Safety Stick can last beyond this, provided the simple visual checks are regularly carried out by the owner (maintenance/visual check steps included in the leaflet provided inside the box with each purchase).

The Fire Safety Stick has a unique advantage though, if the fire is within a confined space you can just activate it, leave it in that room as you then escape to safety and call the fire service. The Fire Safety Stick will continue to discharge in your absence, filling the space with its firefighting vapour and so repressing the fire on its own. 

However, this is an advantage as it means it can be left behind, without the user holding it, while it continues to discharge and repress (slow) the fire in the room.

Firstly, it is not pressurised and does not need to be serviced annually.

It lasts much longer, typically at least triple the lifespan of most other extinguishers.

It is completely clean, leaving no corrosive mess or residue.

Of course, it’s much lighter and compact and yet has a much longer discharge time. For example, a 1kg dry powder extinguisher (gross weight 2.1kg) has a discharge time of just 7-9 seconds, and even the lightest Fire Safety Stick (215g) has a discharge of at least 50 seconds. 

This is the main reason why insurance companies, that know the Fire Safety Stick, love it so much! Because less damage results in smaller claims. 

The Fire Safety Stick never needs any annual servicing by qualified extinguisher technicians throughout its 15, or beyond, years of shelf life. This makes the Fire Safety Stick equal to, and even much better value than, many other traditional fire extinguishers.

However, there are some simple basic visual checks we recommend the owner to carry out regularly.

These include:

Is the bottom striker cap present? (you need this to activate the stick)

Is there any sign of damage?

Is the black resin on the top still firm and not broken off/damaged at all? (test with your finger, not your nail)

You can safely dispose of the spent unit, in domestic waste, by separating the plastic handle from the empty aluminium tube and recycle accordingly.

There must be an updated independent Fire Risk Assessment completed, and only if it is suitable for the Fire Safety Stick to be incorporated into the fire safety strategy for the workplace premises. There are upgraded commercial versions of the Fire Safety Sticks, including signage and documentation available. We would recommend contacting the Fire Safety Stick offices directly to discuss, in more detail the requirements. 

For commercial vehicles (not including vehicles covered under ADR and PSV) the Fire Safety Stick is an ideal solution due to the environmental benefits, annual servicing and weight savings, extended shelf life, and all-around versatile fire protection. Please contact Fire Safety Stick offices for more information.

Depending on the environment it is installed in, it might be worth fitting a tamper tag to secure the bottom striker cap to prevent it from falling off, but can also still be easily pulled off to strike in case of an emergency.