Maintenance guide for the Fire Safety Stick
Here’s a quick video guide to carrying out those maintenance checks
Guide to commercial or non-domestic maintenance checks for the Fire Safety Stick
Firstly have you downloaded the recommended Fire Safety Stick Inspection Record log sheet? It can be downloaded from here: Download FSS Inspection Record
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. 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.
Confirm the correct location, FSS Model type and if required, FSS ID Number at the top of the FSS Inspection Record.
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)
Is the correct model of FSS and the wall sign in place?
Is the tamper-tag in place securing the bottom striker cap? Ensure there is no sign of damage or that the tag has been previously broken.
On that tag, there may be an additional sticker to indicate the anniversaries of the maintenance checks.
Is the Top protective cap in place? Remove it ensuring it’s not too tight for a user to remove in an emergency.
While the top cap is off, is there any evidence of the unit being discharged already? Gently press the black resin with your fingertip (not fingernail) to ensure it is still firm*. Are there any other signs of damage to the black resin?
Place the top protective cap back onto the top of the Fire Safety Stick
*If the resin has become slightly soft, due to the external environment, then bring it into room temperature for approx. 24hrs should be sufficient for it to cure hard again.
Are there any other signs of damage to the Fire Safety Stick, including the metal tube or black plastic handle? Is there anything else worth noting?
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.
Once fully checked, then date and sign the entry on the Fire Safety Stick Inspection Record.
If there are any signs of damage, escalate this with the responsible person for the property and agree an action plan for possible replacement of the unit.
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.
Secure wall installation with sign
Photo-luminescent sign
Maintenance record sheet (or fire safety logbook)
FSS with tamper-tag securing the base striker cap
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.