Fire Safety Stick vs Traditional Fire Extinguishers | Kings Fire Ltd
🔥 Fire Safety Stick vs Traditional Fire Extinguishers: What UK Businesses Need to Know
Across the UK, there are now numerous adverts promoting a product called the Fire Safety Stick — a small, handheld extinguisher alternative manufactured in Italy. The sellers of this product claim that it can replace traditional fire extinguishers used in business premises.
However, these claims are not accurate when it comes to UK fire safety legislation and British Standards. The Fire Safety Stick does not conform to any British Standard Code of Practice, does not have a fire rating, is not BSI Kitemarked, and cannot be serviced to BS5306-3 or specified in a commercial premises to BS5306-8.
⚠️ What the Fire Safety Stick Claims
Below is one of the marketing claims made on the Fire Safety Stick website:
"Traditional extinguishers only have a shelf life of 5 years maximum and even then, only if they are serviced every year (which will cost you further). The Fire Safety Stick needs no servicing at all and has a proven shelf life of over 15 years… The Fire Safety Stick is suitable for all major classifications, leaves no mess, no residue and no corrosive damage."
🔍 Why These Claims Are Misleading
While this may sound appealing, much of this information is misleading for UK business owners:
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Traditional extinguishers do not all have a 5-year lifespan. For example, CO₂ fire extinguishers have a 10-year life cycle when properly serviced and maintained.
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Not all extinguishers make a mess. If specified correctly, the only extinguisher likely to leave residue is dry powder, which is typically installed outdoors or only indoors where a Class C fire risk exists.
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Water, foam and wet chemical extinguishers simply leave a wet area that can easily be cleaned. CO₂ extinguishers leave no mess at all.
The suggestion that traditional extinguishers will "cost a lot more in the long run" is therefore not true when comparing like-for-like, compliant firefighting equipment.
🧯 Why Compliance Matters
Under British Standards BS5306-3, fire extinguishers in the UK must be serviced annually by a competent person to ensure they are free from defects and will operate correctly in an emergency.
The Fire Safety Stick cannot be serviced or certified to any British Standard. For this reason, it cannot legally be specified or used as a compliant firefighting device in commercial premises.
If a business relies on non-compliant equipment, they risk:
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Failing a fire risk assessment (FRA)
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Invalidating insurance policies
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Prosecution under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
🏢 Business Advice from Fire Safety Professionals
The advice for any UK business owner is clear:
Do not rely on the Fire Safety Stick or similar unregulated products as a replacement for British Standard fire extinguishers.
While the Fire Safety Stick has shown fire suppression capability in independent tests abroad, it is not suitable for commercial use in the UK. It may be considered for domestic or personal use only.
✅ Stay Compliant with Kings Fire
At Kings Fire, we supply, install, and maintain BSI-approved fire extinguishers across Bedfordshire and the Home Counties. Our qualified technicians ensure your business meets British Standards BS5306-3 and BS5306-8, giving you peace of mind that your premises are fully compliant and protected.
📞 Contact our friendly team on 01462 337037 today for professional advice, or complete the enquiry form below.