Maintenance guide for the Fire Safety Stick

The following information is generally intended for when The Fire Safety Stick is used within a commercial environment (such in offices, shops, warehouses or even in commercial vehicles), however, it is still good practice to follow these guidelines where appropriate when used within the domestic sectors.

For a general introduction to installation and maintenance guidelines in commercial sectors, please watch this video

What is recommended for a typical commercial installation of a Fire Safety Stick

Along with a securely, wall mounted Fire Safety Stick, we would recommend the following for each installation:

1, Correct signage, mounted on the wall, typically photo-luminescent, clearly indicating the model, the classifications of fires it has been certified for and how to use it. We have also added QR codes linking to for further guidance on how to use the Fire Safety Stick and also how to carry out these suggested maintenance checks. 

2, A tamper tag to secure the bottom striker cap to the base handle of the Fire Safety Stick. There should also be a sticker on the unit and/or tag displaying its installation and maintenance check dates. It may also indicate the model of the Fire Safety Stick.

3, A suitable logbook to record all the maintenance checks throughout its life cycle. One option is to print the maintenance record sheets (available as a pdf – see below) and attach them to the site’s existing fire safety logbook. 

FSS with tamper-tag securing the base striker cap

How to carry out the maintenance checks for Fire Safety Stick

You should check the following points individually. If passed then, a tick should be recorded in the correct column. Any failures should be noted and action taken to remedy them. Once completed, the date should be entered in the first column. 

1, Check that the model of Fire Safety Stick corresponds to that displayed on the sign. On some Fire Safety Sticks there may be an additional sticker on the handle show its model type (based upon its minimum discharge time (e.g. 50 or 100 seconds)

2, Is the tamper-tag still in place (and not broken), This should be securing the bottom “striker” cap in place. On that tag, there should be an additional sticker to indicate the anniversaries of the maintenance checks. 

3, Is the Top cap in place? This is required to protect the black resin on the top of the stick which is required to activate the Fire Safety Stick. However, as part of the inspection, remove it to ensure that the black resin is still firm and has not deteriorated at all. Also, is there any evidence that the unit has previously been activated? If it has, the black resin would have burnt away leaving its remnant as a soot-like deposit. If all is correct, place the top cap back on the Stick, but not too firmly so that it can easily be removed in an emergency.

4, Is there any other evidence of damage? Although the Fire Safety Stick is extremely durable, if dropped for example, please check that the aluminium tube is completely intact and not pierced, or in any way likely to impede its successful discharge.

5, Is there anything you feel should be noted that was not previously covered? If so record it in the notes section.

6, Finally, if it’s all correct, then sign at the end of the row in the logbook, to confirm that the Fire Safety Stick has passed the suggested requirements for its periodic maintenance check. If it has failed, then this should be informed to the Responsible Person for the property and confirmed whether it has been rectified OR that a replacement Fire Safety Stick has been installed.

As you can see it is very easy and straightforward to carry out these checks, hence the reason that they can be carried out “in-house” without the need for external engineers.

You can download your own pdf template of the recommended Fire Safety Stick Logbook, from the “FSS Logbook Template folder” via this link

The Difference between Servicing and Maintenance for Fire Extinguishers

The Fire Safety Stick needs no servicing during its life-cycle of 10 years, it just needs to be visually inspected or maintained and logged by the building owner or responsible person. Traditional fire extinguishers need to serviced at least every year. This is to check the pressure within the container, simply checking the gauge is not sufficient. O-rings need to be replaced, pipes and weights professionally checked. It should also be noted that at end of life, traditional extinguishers cannot be just disposed of, but because they are pressurised systems, they must be professionally recycled. 

Of course, if you prefer, you can have your existing fire or security company carry out the maintenance checks and log them in your on-site fire safety logbook, whilst they are on site. The Fire Safety Stick is not pressurised and once discharged, can be easily domestically recycled as all that remains is an aluminium tube and a plastic handle. The solid resin inside it does not decompose at all and again needs no servicing at all.

About the FSS team

The senior management of the Fire Safety Stick team, prior to introducing this unique extinguisher to the UK market, owned and managed one of the UK’s leading Fire Safety companies. Specialising in Fire alarms, extinguishers and other life safety solutions such as smoke ventilation systems in commercial and residential properties, the company had the highest possible accreditations available in fire safety and smoke ventilation. In 2020, Sergio De Michele, sold the business to concentrate purely on the Fire Safety Stick and bring it to all possible sectors including the home and commercial sectors.