Guidance for Trade Stands
Portable Generators
Generators must be tested at suitable intervals, by a competent person. Documentary evidence of testing must be provided.
The generator must be sited in a well-ventilated level area, away from any combustible material and securely cordoned off from general public.
The generator must show no signs of damage to the structure, fuel tank, filler cap and pipe.
Any fuel used for the generator must be in approved plastic or metal containers indelibly marked ‘HIGHLY FLAMMABLE’.
Please note:
Fuel must only be transported in the following amounts. 2 x 5 litre plastic containers or 2 x 10 litre metal containers. The containers must be secured against damage or spillage during transportation.
Fuel containers must also be in a well-ventilated area, securely stopped and not adjacent to the generator.
All leads and cables must be in a good state of repair with no sign of scorching or damage to insulation, tested totally uncoiled and must not be placed with connections hanging.
All extension leads must be totally uncoiled and must not be placed with connections hanging.
Connectors must be weatherproof.
LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas)
All LPG equipment must be tested at suitable intervals by a competent person. Documentary evidence of testing must be provided.
Regulators/connectors must be suitable for the type of LPG container used.
Hoses and connections must show no signs of damage.
Connections of the hose to the regulator and the appliance must be secure.
The appliance must show no signs of damage.
The appliance must be constructed for outdoor commercial use.
The appliance and cylinder(s) must be on a secure base and level ground away from any source of ignition.
Fire Extinguishers / Blankets
All extinguishers must be tested by a competent person annually. Documentary evidence if testing must be provided.
All extinguishers must be suitable for the risk.
Types of Extinguisher: Water – Red
Best for: Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal etc. Fires involving solids.
Danger: Do not use on burning fat or oil or on electrical appliances.
How to use: Point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that all areas of the fire are out.
How it works: mainly by cooling burning material.
Types of Extinguisher: Multi-Purpose Dry Powder – Blue
Best for: Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal etc. Fires involving solids. Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol, etc. But not on chip or fat pan fires.
Danger: Safe on live electrical equipment, although does not penetrate the spaces in equipment easily and the fire may re-ignite.
This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and care should be taken that the fire does not flare up again. Smouldering material in deep seated fires such as upholstery or bedding can cause the fire to start up again.
How to use: Point the jet or discharge horn at the base of the flames and, with a rapid sweeping motion, drive the fire towards the far edge until all the flames are out. If the extinguisher has a shut-off control wait until the air clears and if you can still see the flames, attack the fire again.
How it works: Point the jet or discharge horn at the base of the flames and, with a rapid sweeping motion, drive the fire towards the far edge until all the flames are out. If the extinguisher has a shut-off control wait until the air clears and if you can still see the flames, attack the fire again. Knocks down flames and, on burning solids, melts to form a skin smothering the fire. Provides some cooling effect.
Types of Extinguisher: Standard Dry Powder – Blue
Best for: Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol etc. But not on chip or fat pan fires.
Danger: Safe on live electrical equipment, although does not penetrate the spaces in equipment easily and the fire may re-ignite.
How to use: This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and care should be taken that the fire does not re-ignite. Point the jet or discharge horn at the base of the flames and, with a rapid sweeping motion, drive the fire towards the far edge until all the flames are out. If the extinguisher has a shut-off control wait until the air clears and if you can still see the flames,
attack the fire again.
How it works: Knocks down flames.
Types of Extinguisher: AFFF (Aqueous film-forming foam) (multi-purpose) – Cream
Best for: Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal etc. Fires involving solids. Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol, etc, but not on chip or fat pan fires.
Danger: Do not use on chip or fat pan fires.
How to use: For fires involving solids, point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that all areas of the fire are out. For fire involving liquids, do not aim the jet straight into the liquid. Where the liquid on fire is in a container, point the jet at the inside edge of the container or on a nearby surface above the burning liquid. Allow the foam to build up and flow across the liquid.
How it works: Forms a fire extinguishing film on the surface of a burning liquid. Has a cooling action with a wider extinguishing application than water on solid combustible materials.
Types of Extinguisher: Foam – Cream
Best for: Limited number of liquid fires.
Danger: Do not use on chip or fat pan fires. Check manufacturer’s instructions for suitability of use on other fires involving liquids. These extinguishers are generally not recommended for home use.
How to use: Do not aim jet straight into the liquid. Where the liquid on fire is in a container, point the jet at the inside edge of the container or on a nearby surface above the burning liquid. Allow the foam to build up and flow across the liquid.
How it works: Forms a fire extinguishing film on the surface of a burning liquid. Has a cooling
action with a wider extinguishing application than water on solid combustible materials.
Types of Extinguisher: Carbon Dioxide Co2 – Black
Best for: Liquids such as grease, fats, oil paint, petrol etc. but not on chip or fat pan fires.
Danger: This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and you need to watch that the fire does not start up again.
Fumes from CO2 extinguishers can be harmful if used in confined spaces: ventilate the area as soon as the fire has been controlled.
How to use: The discharge horn should be directed at the base of the flames and the jet kept moving across the area of the fire.
How it works: Vaporising liquid gas which smothers the flames by displacing oxygen in the air.
Types of Extinguisher: Fire Blanket
Best for: Fires involving both solids and liquids. Particularly good for small fires in clothing and for chip and fat pan fires provided the blanket completely covers the fire.
Danger: If the blanket does not completely cover the fire, it will not be able the fire to be extinguished.
How to use: Place carefully over the fire. Keep your hands shielded from the fire. Do not waft the fire towards you.
How it works: Smothers the fire.
A fire blanket should be provided at all places where food is cooked.
Staff Training
All staff must be trained in actions to be taken in the event of fire or other emergency.
Staff must be trained to use the extinguishers / fire blankets provided.