Fire Extinguisher & Staff Fire Safety Training

Business owners often ask whether staff still need fire safety training when the workplace already has fire extinguishers, hose reels and alarms. Having equipment is only part of the preparation. People who have practised are more likely to remove the safety pin, judge whether to tackle the fire or leave, and guide colleagues calmly to safety. Prepared by Fire Station, Hong Kong fire extinguisher specialists, this guide approaches training from the employer's and HR team's perspective. It explains legal duties, FSD guidance on extinguisher training instructors and equipment, free government courses, and practical arrangements for training and drills.

Contents

1. Why do you have equipment and training?
2. What's the legal point? The employer's fire training responsibilities.
3. Fire Services Department Guidance: What are the requirements for which equipment can be taught and trained?
4. Free Government course: Community Emergency Pioneer, Building Emergency Pioneer
5. 5 practical benefits of fire training for staff
6. Three parts of the training
7. What about employers and HR?
8. Example: Half-day staff fire training process
9. What about fire drills? Step with review.
10. Fire liaison officers/floor representation system
11. Training priorities in different sectors
12. Records and documents
13. Co-operation equipment: Fire extinguishers for training purposes?
14. Common problems FAQ

I. Why should equipment be used for training?

When a fire alarm happens, it's usually the staff at the scene that sees the smoke at first, not the security guards or the firefighters. If half thought they wanted to wait for the administration and the other half thought that they wanted to "scramble the fire", it would only exacerbate the risk and chaos. According to the Fire Department, effective control and even suppression of fires at an early stage can significantly reduce loss of life and injury and damage to property, and this “initial” is often a few dozen seconds to a few minutes.

Systematic training allows companies to agree on three things: when to save, when to leave, and what to do. These three things, instead of buying more fire extinguishers, can be solved.

II. LEGISLATIVE POLICIES? RESPONSIBILITY OF EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

Regulation / Guidance	Training-related requirements
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (Chapter 509)	The general duties of the employer include providing information, guidance, training and supervision to ensure the safety and health of employees at work; providing and maintaining a safe working environment and access
Department of Labour, Fire at Work Guidelines	Provision of suitable fire extinguishers to address different fire risk; placement of fire extinguishers in easily accessible and unblocked locations; employees to know where fire extinguishers are located and how to use them, as well as actions to be taken in case of fire alarms; and adequate escape routes at the duty station
Fire Protection (Equipping and Equipment) Regulations (Chapter 95B)	Fire-fighting installations and equipment must be operated at all times and inspected by the registered contractor every 12 months; used fire extinguishers must be supplemented by the contractor ' s inspection
Maintenance of Equipment for Handheld Firearm Training Course and Guidance on Mentoring qualifications of the Fire Services Department	Teacher qualifications and training equipment requirements, as detailed in the next section

One thing to note is that in the event of an accident at work or a fire alarm, the burden of proof is usually on the employer to provide adequate training, so training records are important. The overall inspection of a office can refer to Office Fire Safety Checklist.

III. Fire Services Department Guidance: Which can teach and train what is required

The Fire Services Department has issued the Maintenance of Equipment and Guidance on Mentoring for the Handheld Firearm Training Course, the purpose of which is to ensure the safety of mentors and trainees and to ensure the quality of teaching.

Teacher qualifications

Type of course	Qualifications of mentors
Course on the use of handheld fire extinguishers	At least one: Fire Service Fire Safety Ambassador; Level 3 Registered Fire Device Operator; or with fire engineering/firework experience
Hand-held fire extinguisher maintenance course	Level 3 registered fire-fighting contractors
Mentors do not have the above qualifications	It should be based on visual aids, instructional aids, and should not be physically displayed in the classroom.

Maintenance of training equipment

• The training institution has the responsibility to keep the hand-held fire extinguisher for training or demonstration in good working condition at all times.
• (a) Every 12 months at least one inspection by a registered fire-fighting contractor;
• Certification is issued within 14 days of completion of work by the contractor.
• Pre-class mentors are required to check all fire extinguisher surfaces for instruction, paying particular attention to the silo cover;
• All training fire extinguishers, once used, shall be tested and supplemented by a qualified level 3 registered contractor.

If a colleague does not have the above-mentioned qualifications, the company does not comply with the fire department’s guidelines.

IV. Government free courses: community emergency pioneers, building emergency pioneers

The Fire Department has been recruiting volunteers for fire prevention information since 1997 through the Fire Safety Ambassadors Program, which has been integrated into the Emergency Pioneer Program, free of charge, and can register in groups, so that companies can arrange for employees to participate.

Planned	Object	Hours	Contents
Community Emergency Pioneer Project, Fire Services Department	Hong Kong citizens over 12 years of age (6 to 11 years of age may participate with parents and children)	About 3 hours: 1 hour of online learning + 2 hours of internship	Fire safety lectures, fire extinguishers and fire hose reel usage, visits to fire department, inspection building fire protection units, emergency response, autocardial defibrillator and pulmonary resuscitation
Emergency Pioneer Plan, Fire Department Building	Property managers, security officers, building owners/houseowners over 18 years of age	About 3 hours: 1 hour of online self-learning + 2 hours of physical training	In response to building fire safety and emergency response, the Fire Services Department was commissioned

Registration can be submitted either via the Fire Services Department Public Training System or in person to the fire department in charge of training in each district; The registration of groups can be obtained by e-mail. For HR, the most practical approach is to arrange for a few floor delegates or chief security officers to complete the course, and they have the qualifications of fire safety ambassadors. Courses can be used within the company.

5 practical benefits of fire training for employees

1. Reducing the incidence of fire

The training is not just "how to use fire extinguishers", but it is also about the causes of fire and high-risk behaviour: tow-barrel boards, cardboard box jams, recharging, burning of fuel in the kitchen. The fire department refers to about 42% of fire alarms in the disaster building as power failure, about 25% as an artificial factor, many of which can be avoided on a conscious basis.

2. Securing initial gold time

Trained employees know when to use fire extinguishers safely, when to leave immediately, which to call the police, and which to take the lead in evacuations. Even if they are eventually handed over to the fire department, these minutes are good enough to determine the difference between casualties and losses. The way to judge Small-Fire Response: Extinguish or Evacuate?ers.

3. Compliance with statutory and insurance requirements

The Regulations require employers to provide training; a number of internal safety codes, ISO management systems and insurance provisions require periodic exercises and training records.

4. Investment in protective equipment

People who know how to spray, they don’t use the wrong type (e.g. water) and they don’t give up fire extinguishers because they don’t know.

5. Business image and staff confidence

The employees know that the company spends its time and resources on fire training, and they feel that their safety is valued, and that their clients, partners and visitors are also shown as "we have security requirements".

The three parts of the training programme

First: Theory Brief (Classroom Briefing)

• Fire equipment for the company’s common building: fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, fire alarms, manual alarms, flowers, Emergency Lighting & Exit Signs Explained. Common Fire Safety Equipment in Hong Kong Buildings.
• Fire alarms are at high risk with the company: server rooms, tea rooms, warehouses, kitchens, laboratories.
• Basic principles: your own safety is a priority, you do not go into the fire alone, you immediately inform someone else about the alarm, you don't pick up the elevator.
• More details on the types of fire to which fire extinguishers apply: dry powder, carbon dioxide, water agents, bubbles, and blanket A Complete Guide to Fire Extinguishers in Hong Kong.
• Escape routes (at least two), assembly points, roll-calls.

Part II: Modelling fire extinguishers

• Awareness of the various components of the fire extinguisher: lock needles, operating poles, lifts, nozzles, pressure sheets, labels.
• Four steps (PSS) of "Drive needles, aim, push, sweep " are shown in-kind by qualified mentors; without qualifications, video aids are used.
• Stations: Back to exit, distance to distance, close to and far away, up to the wind.
• When did you stop to evacuate: a few seconds without improvement, too much smoke, fire between you and the exit.
• In particular, the CO2 extinguisher holds the handle; electrical fire does not use water agents; and cooking oil boilers use blankets to extinguish fire.
• If necessary, staff are given a training fire extinguisher in a safe and controlled environment, with a feeling of weight, recoil power and jetting time (dismissal committee points to a model of 2 kg or less of about 8 to 10 seconds).

Detailed steps and common errors can be seen How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: PASS & Common Mistakes.

Session III: Fire alarm escape and simulation exercises

• After the alarm went off: stop work, turn off electrical appliances (e.g. security), walk the nearest stairs, don't take lifts, don't turn around.
• The sector staff points are assembled, named, identified, and reported to the evacuation command.
• We have visitors or colleagues who are in a difficult position to act.
• When will you be safe to return to your place of work?

VII. What is the arrangement from the perspective of employers and HR?

1. Clarifying objectives and scope

• The entire company has at least one fire drill per year.
• At least two fire liaison officers per department or floor.
• New staff members complete the fire briefing within a certain period of time after entry on duty.
• Additional physical exercise in high-risk sectors (kitchen, warehouse, machine room).

2. Determination of who will provide training

Modalities	Fit	Keep an eye out.
Sending staff to the Fire Services Department Emergency Pioneer Course	You want to train an in-house mentor, you have a limited budget.	Free of charge, registration to a group; later qualification as Fire Safety Ambassador
Invite a class 3 registered contractor or a mentor with fire experience to the company.	I'm trying to show you something at the company site.	Compliance with Fire Services Department mentor qualifications; company fire extinguishers can be checked at the same time
Co-operated with the Building Exercises of Property Management.	Multi Tenant Commercial Building	You can test the real alarm and the evacuation, but it's more generic.
In-house transfer of senior colleagues.	Number of branches, number of people.	If you need a fire safety ambassador or more, you can show them in person.

3. Sites and equipment

An exercise demonstration requires a safe outdoor or well-ventilated site, a specialized training fire extinguisher, a fire plate, if any, and basic protection. Do not use an active fire extinguisher model, as detailed in section XIII.

Examples: half-day staff fire training process

Period	Contents	Form
0:00 – 0:15	Opens, targets, companies passing fire or risk sharing.	Speech.
0:15 – 1:00	Fire cause, company fire equipment, escape route, assembly point, employee responsibility	Presentation + floor floor plan
1:00 – 1:15	Hugh.	—
1:15 – 2:00	Type of fire extinguisher, four-step usage, position and exit, when to evacuate; physical demonstration of qualified mentors; rotation of staff to test fire extinguishers for training	Demonstration + physical exercise (outdoor or ventilation site)
2:00 – 2:45	Fire drills: co-ordinated the Service ' s alarms, evacuations, assembly, roll call, reporting	Exercises
2:45 – 3:00	Review: evacuation time, problems, improved operations; check-in records	Discussion

A large number of companies could either organize in batches or concentrate on training floor representatives, who would then assist in day-to-day promotion.

How to deal with fire drills? Steps to be reviewed

Before the drill.

• Coordination of dates with the Building Management Service to confirm that alarm systems can be tested.
• Designated evacuation commanders, floors liaison officers, roll-calls, observers.
• The security guards are notified to the neighbouring tenants to avoid misreporting 999.
• The first exercise could be forecasted; then consideration could be given to testing the real reaction without warning.

In the middle of a drill.

• Alerts, staff are evacuated by route, liaison officers check offices, toilets and conference rooms for low levels.
• Do not take the lift; close the door when you leave.
• Call at the assembly point and report to the evacuation command.
• The observers recorded the evacuation time, whether there was a wrong path, whether there was a backlash, or whether the exit was blocked.

Post-drill review

• How long did the evacuation take? Has the target been met?
• Are there any exits blocked by miscellaneous items, fire doors turned on and lights turned off?
• Are there any employees who don't know where to gather or are not involved?
• List the actions to be improved and those responsible, and follow up on the next exercise.

There is no uniform regulation of the frequency of exercises, and it is generally recommended that it be done at least once a year, and that it be more frequent for staff to move or move new buildings.

X. Fire liaisons/floor representation system

There are companies that have "Fire Warden" systems, one or two people per floor or department.

• Monthly sighting of fire extinguishers, access roads, lights, recording of problems.
• Our colleagues were reminded not to block fire extinguishers, not to open fire doors, and not tow boards.
• The area was evacuated by the same name as the real fire during the exercise.
• Fire briefings for new colleagues when they enter duty.

It is recommended that focal points should give priority to completing the Fire Services Department Emergency Pioneer Course with the qualifications of Fire Safety Ambassadors, so that they can conduct fire extinguishers courses within the company in a consistent manner.

XI. Training priorities for different sectors

Industry	Training focus	Related Reading
office	Electrical fire without water agents; CO2 for server rooms; towboard management; multi-export escape	Office Fire Safety Checklist
Dining room, food.	Cooking oil boilers do not use water for fire-fighting blankets; turn off stoves and air; division of kitchens on the same floor	Fire Blankets & Kitchen Fire Safety
Retails, chains.	Goods are free of fire extinguishers; customers are evacuated; branchings are unified	Fire Extinguisher Planning for Shops & Offices
Plants, warehouses	Firework processes; solvent fuel foams; forklifts and unblocked cargo	Fire Extinguishers for Car Parks & Industrial Buildings
Property management, security	Building fire system operations; electric car charging parking; assistance to household evacuation	Emergency Pioneer Plan, Fire Department Building
Schools, remedial institutions	Student evacuation and roll call; division of teaching staff	Hong Kong Fire Safety Regulations: Common Myths

XII. RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS

These documents are useful for fire patrols, insurance claims, staff enquiries or accident investigations:

• Date of training, names of mentors, outline of content
• Signature forms for participants
• Exercise records: date, evacuation time, number of participants, problem detection, improved operations
• The list of fire liaison officers is identical.
• Inspection of fire extinguishers for training and supplementary records
• Company fire extinguisher list with FS251 certificate ( Fire Extinguisher Inspection & Replacement)

XIII. COORDINATION EQUIPMENT: TRAINING FOR FIRING POSITION POINTS?

Why not use fire extinguishers in service?

• Once a fire extinguisher is used, it will be filled by the contractor, during which the place will be free of fire extinguish ers, in violation of the requirement to operate effectively at all times.
• Filling costs plus transport time are not less costly.
• The Fire Services Department guidelines also require training in the use of fire extinguishers to be supplemented by a level 3 contractor.

Better practice

• Rental of fire extinguish ers: Fire Station will be sent to the site on the day of the training or exercise, which will be recycled and will not be fitted. Fire Extinguisher Rental in Hong Kongers.
• Specialized fire extinguishers for training: A few more can be prepared for training companies with a clear indication of "training" and will be inspected annually, supplemented with the guidance.
• Video teaching aids: In the absence of a qualified mentor, the fire department is used to demonstrate short films.

One inspection of equipment at training opportunities

• Check the number, type, location and year-end inspection of fire extinguishers, Fire Extinguishers & Fire Safety Products.
• Expired or used Fire Extinguisher Recycling Service.
• Check Emergency Lighting & Exit Signs.
• When the new equipment is installed, Fire Station offers staff a model and free space, so that the training is compatible with the actual equipment.

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XIV. Common issues FAQ

Does the employer have a statutory duty to provide fire training for employees?

The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations require employers to provide information, guidance, training, and supervision to ensure the safety and health of employees at work. The Department of Labour's Fire Protection Guidelines also require employers to provide appropriate fire extinguishers and to ensure that employees are aware of the location and method of use of fire extinguishers, as well as of the actions to be taken in case of fire alarms.

Which one can teach employees to use fire extinguishers?

The Fire Services Department ' s Guidelines on Maintenance of Equipment and Mentoring for Handheld Fire extinguisher Training Courses state that instructors for handheld fire extinguisher courses should have at least one qualification: Fire Safety Ambassadors at Fire Services Department, Registered Fire Device Operators at Level 3, or with fire engineering/firework experience. The instructor for the portable fire extinguisher maintenance course shall be a registered contractor at level 3. If a mentor does not have the above-mentioned qualifications, he/she should be lectured with video aids and should not be shown in kind in the classroom.

What are the requirements for a fire extinguisher for training?

According to the fire department guidelines, training institutions are responsible for maintaining the good working state of hand-held fire extinguishers for training or demonstration at all times, at least once every 12 months by a registered fire-fighting operator. Water pressure tests are conducted every five years according to the description of the plant; Pre-class mentors should check the body, without effective maintenance labels or unserviceable damage to rust; All training fire extinguishers should be tested and supplemented by a level 3 registered contractor.

Is there a free government fire training course?

Yes. The Community Emergency Pioneer Program of the Fire Services Department is accepted by citizens who have reached the age of 12, and its courses include one hour of online learning and two hours of internship. It covers fire safety lectures, fire extinguishers and the use of fire-fighting larynx, emergency response congenerative pulmonary resuscitation. The Building Emergency Pioneer Program is available to property managers, security guards and homeowners over the age of 18 for approximately 3 hours. Both can be registered in groups.

How long should the company be doing a fire drill?

This exercise should be followed by a review of the timing and recording of evacuations.

What should be included in staff fire training?

In general, three components are included: theoretical profiles (fire alarm cause, company fire equipment, escape route, assembly point, self-security priority principle), fire extinguisher demonstrations (shooting, sighting, brakes, sweeping, stationary and exit routes, time out), fire alarm escape drills (evacuation after alarm, roll-calling, cluster contract reporting process).

Is it possible to use the fire extinguishers available in the company as a model?

It is not recommended. Once a fire extinguisher is used, it will be inspected and filled by the contractor, which will be used to demonstrate the absence of an empty window at the site.

What can Fire Station do with staff training?

Fire Station can rent and deliver fire extinguishers for training or exercises, and provide staff with a model space for the installation of new fire extinguishers. It can also arrange replacement and recovery of FS251 certificates in conjunction with the training ' s simultaneous inspection of the number of fire extinguishers, annual inspections and emergency lighting. 3464 3987 ，WhatsApp 96309976 。

Fire extinguisher training is not just for "payback" training, but for real things, more employees know how to protect themselves. Starting with sending a few colleagues to a free course at the Fire Services Department, doing another documented half-day training and exercise to turn fire awareness into part of corporate culture, More practical than simply buying a few fire extinguishers . Need equipment to cooperate, welcome Contact Fire Station.