Check your car fire extinguisher

They save lives and all cars must have one, but experts say that not many drivers actually know how to use them.

ABU DHABI // Drivers should keep portable fire extinguishers on hand, inspect and maintain them regularly and ensure they use them properly, experts said on Wednesday.

“The majority of drivers would have very little or no experience at all in using fire extinguishers as fires do not occur frequently,” said Dino Kalivas, chairman of the driver education and training committee at the International Road Federation.

“However, motorists should take the time to raise their knowledge on how they work.”

Although fire extinguishers are now compulsory in all UAE-registered cars, studies show that most people in the UAE and other GCC countries do not know how to use them, said Dr Salaheddine Bendak, associate professor at University of Sharjah.

Many new vehicles are provided with fire extinguishers and information on their correct use is usually found in the vehicle owners manual.

“It’s the responsibility of vehicle owners to ensure the safety of their families and other occupants of their vehicles,” he said.

Their comments follow a recent accident involving a vehicle that caught fire in Abu Dhabi. Police honoured a Jordanian man who helped put out the fire, which saved the driver’s life.

Fire extinguishers reduce potential damages to property as well as road injuries and deaths, Lt Col Nasser Al Maskari, head of operations department at Abu Dhabi Police said.

“Having a fire extinguisher within reach can save lives in the first few minutes of a fire until firefighters arrive,” he said.

“However, it is extremely important to check these extinguishers periodically because they have a limited lifespan.”

Emirates Driving in Mussaffah teaches students on the proper use of fire extinguishers in its theoretical and practical training for light and heavy vehicles, including buses.

All Emirates Transport drivers are trained once a year to use extinguishers in cooperation with the civil defence department of each emirate. Each school bus is fitted with two dry powder extinguishers, one located near the driver’s seat and the other near the front door.

The most common extinguisher is the dry chemical type which is most suited to automotive electrical and fuel-related fires.

“A fire extinguisher has a ‘use by’ date usually stamped on the device itself and is designed to hold pressure for up to five years,” Mr Kalivas said. “Motorists should inspect fire extinguishers every six months to check the pressure gauge, and gently shake them during inspection to avoid the powder inside from compacting and making them less effective.”

Car fires could be avoided if they are well-maintained, said Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE. Research shows that 75 per cent of car fires are caused by bad maintenance, mechanical or electrical failure or malfunction. Collisions or overturns caused only 3 per cent of these fires but 57 per cent of the fatalities are linked to burning vehicles.

Mr Edelmann cautioned motorists against taking unnecessary risks and advised them to try to extinguish small fires and maintain a safe distance.

“Understanding how to behave in the event of a burning vehicle and how a fire extinguisher works is not easy, especially in high-stress situations,” he said. “One-third of non-fatal vehicle fire injuries occurred when civilians attempted to fight the fire themselves.”

More media attention should be given, with television and radio ads promoting vehicle safety, Dr Bendak said.

“Car manufacturers can help raise awareness by putting stickers in cars on how to use fire extinguishers and organising public awareness campaigns,” he said.