How to Use

Step 1

Hold by the plastic handle, holding it away from your body. Remove and discard the top protection cap.

Step 2

Remove the bottom-end striker cap from the lower end of the handle.

Step 3

With the red/brown tip of the bottom-end striker cap, firmly strike it against the black resin tip to the side to ignite it – like a match against a matchbox.

Step 4

Discharge starts, point the jet towards the base of the flame, holding the stick by the handle.

How to activate – It couldn’t be easier!

  • Hold the unit by the black plastic handle and remove the top cap or sleeve* which protects the black resin at the top of the unit.
  • Remove the striker cap from the bottom of the unit (this will be either black or yellow plastic caps, on the inside, there is a red/brown rough surface.
  • Still holding the plastic handle, point the stick away from your head and body. In your other hand, hold the striker cap so that the red/brown rough area is resting on top of the black resin on the top of the stick.
  • Apply increased pressure between the resin and the striker cap, Then swiftly, move the striker away from the body, holding the stick firmly, ensuring the striker maintains contact with the resin. This is very much like striking a match against a matchbox. This friction should be enough to activate the black resin is initially sparking like a match. Just like a match if it’s not activated on the first strike, then just repeat the above process of striking the resin.
  • Discharge of the harmless agent will begin immediately. Then simply point the stick towards the base of the fire and its flames.
  • The agent being discharged is completely harmless. There may be some sparks from the top opening of the stick but these are only a few centimetres in size and also harmless. Also, it may spray out a very small amount of black soot from the Fire Safety Stick, but again this is totally harmless and can be can be swept up afterwards.

*Depending on the model, this could be a yellow or black cap or, in the case of the previous FSS100, a red sleeve over the main body of the unit.

 

How to use it on a fire

  • Once activated, simply point the top of the stick towards the fire, allowing the aerosol vapour to engulf the flames. It will continue to discharge for its complete cycle (of over 50 or 100 seconds) – it is not possible to “switch it off”.
  • If it is outside with a wind blowing, and it is safe to do so, always approach the fire from the side of the wind – i.e. so that the flames are flowing away from you.
  • Best practice is to activate the stick from a safe distance away from the fire, then once activated, approach the fire, pointing the stick towards the flames and base of the fire. Then simply walk towards the fire. All the time it is suppressing the fire, making it safe to approach the fire. Although it runs on a lower pressure than traditional extinguishers, it is still much safer as you have a much longer discharge time, and all the time it further suppresses the fire.
  • No need to wave the stick around too much, just allow the vapour from the stick to engulf the flames and they will quickly die down. If you have missed a bit simply move the stick towards those flames to extinguish them.
  • We always recommend, even if the fire is quickly extinguished, to continue pointing the stick towards the area where the fire was, for the complete discharge time of over 50 or 100 seconds. This ensures it is unlikely to reignite (in particular with cooking oil fires). Often, there may be a small part of the fire still alight that you may have missed, so this ensures you are ready to extinguish it completely.
  • Once it’s extinguished, assess the situation and call out the fire brigade if necessary.
  • Again, please remember if the fire is too large to be extinguished by the Fire Safety Stick, then follow the fire brigade’s advice to get out and call the fire brigade.
  • Although the vapour from the Fire Safety Stick is completely harmless, do remember that the smoke and fumes from a burning fire can be very dangerous. Do not risk your own safety at all.
  • You can leave the activated Fire Safety Stick inside a confined space to continue to repress the fire whilst you are escaping to safety. Just leave inside the room spraying towards the fire, you leave, remembering to close the door if possible as you leave.
  • The metal body of the Fire Safety Stick can get warm during the process, please ensure you only hold the unit by the black plastic handle. Afterwards, once cooled down, it can be easily disposed of domestically, or by separating the plastic handle from the aluminium tube of the body.

Chimney fires from log burners, stoves or open fires

  • Simply activate the Fire Safety Stick, and place it inside the log burner or stove, but to the side if possible of the burning fuel and close the stove door. In an open fire, leave the activated stick to the side of the fire but close enough to allow the vapours rise up into the chimney to extinguish the chimney fire. You should always call the fire brigade immediately as well, whilst leaving the building to safety. Advise them of your action with the Fire Safety Stick, so they can assess and ensure the chimney fire is indeed completely out.

Remember the Fire Safety Stick, like all extinguishers, is only to extinguish small fires that have only just started, or to aid your escape. Once a fire is well established or too large to fight, then that is no longer a job for a handheld extinguisher. You should then follow the fire brigade’s advice of getting out, staying out, call the fire brigade and leave it to the professionals.

Maintenance Guidelines

  • Although very durable and not requiring any professional servicing over it’s 15-year shelf life, we do recommend regular maintenance checks.
  • Firstly, is the bottom striker cap still in place? With others “playing” with the unit, it may get lost. Or in some environments with harsh vibrations, it can fall out. Replacement striker caps can be ordered. Please state whether for an FSS50 or FSS100 model as the size of the striker caps are different. You can also look at the option of fitting a tamper tag to secure the striker cap.
  • Is the black resin under the top cap still firm and intact? Over a long period of time, under harsh conditions, the resin can potentially become soft. To test, simply place a fingertip over it and push it down to see if it’s soft. Do not use a fingernail as this may fracture the resin off. If it is soft, then simply bring it indoors to room temperature and leave it to re-cure, typically within 24 hours.
  • Also, be aware it is possible that users can remove the resin accidently with a firm sharp implement, this can also potentially include a fingernail.

How to Store

  • The incredible durability of the Fire Safety Stick means it can be easily and safely stored. It is not pressurised at all, the aluminium body contains a unique resin which does not deteriorate over time at all. It is stored correctly with regular maintenance checks, there is no reason why it cannot be just as effective, with its full discharge time after at least 15 years, maybe even more.
  • Ideally, it should be stored indoors, mounted on the supplied clip. But it can also be stored outside for short periods, though we strongly recommend regular maintenance checks as given below. For long-term storage, you should not expose to direct harsh sunlight or rain. Prevent it from being stored above 80oC and below -50oC The full product Data Sheet can be downloaded here.

Top Tip: for the home, why not mount it on the cupboard door, under the kitchen sink, with its clip? That way it’s always quick and easy to hand. Don’t let it get buried inside a drawer!

  • If in a vehicle with heavy vibrations, it may be would considering mounting the unit upside down so that the bottom striker cap does not vibrate out.

Mounting Suggestions

  • Use the FREE mounting clip to mount the Fire Safety Stick so that it is close and easy to hand. Do not store it where it might be hidden. Make sure the whole family know where it is stored and how important it is so they can easily use it if you are unable to.
  • It can be mounted in any direction. In the case of boats or convertible cars, we suggest it is stored in a shaded area away from direct sunlight or rain.
  • Additional clips and alternative mounting brackets are also available for purchase.
  • Depending on the location you may want to consider having a tamper tag to secure the bottom striker cap.

Have you registered your Fire Safety Stick purchase yet? If not you can either scan the QR code shown on the leaflet supplied within the of box of your Fire Safety Stick, or just CLICK HERE and follow the link to a new page and complete the form online.

For more information, watch this video

For a more detailed view of how to maintain, what type of fires it is classified for and lots more information, please watch this video. Don’t forget to make sure that everyone in your household knows where it is stored and how to use it