A specialist recommends that each community of neighbors place one powder extinguisher per floor.
According to Javier Mijangos, an expert in fire-fighting equipment, authorities and companies in Navarre and the Basque Country are increasing their efforts to train staff to use fire extinguishers.
"It is recommended that each community of neighbors put a powder extinguisher per floor, every two hands, to extinguish fires that may occur. They are the most versatile, can be used on people and do not conduct electricity up to 35,000 volts. They do not involve a great cost and prevent each household from having to purchase one and worry about its maintenance". This is what Javier Mijangos, an expert in firefighting equipment, said at School of Architecture of the University of Navarra.
"Normally, people claim on the work fire safety standards, such as double evacuation stairs, but at home they are not so strict. In homes we should also be demanding these measures," he stressed.
In case a fire breaks out in the house and there is no fire extinguisher, he indicated that the correct way to put it out is by suffocation: "It is a matter of wetting a cloth or towel well, wringing it out well and pouring it over it. If there is electricity (for example, when a household appliance is on fire), first remove the light switch and then extinguish the fire with buckets of water".
Session for Architecture and Engineering students at Building
According to Javier Mijangos, the authorities and industry in Navarre and the Basque Country are making an increasing effort to train their staff in the handling of these devices. For example, the Basque Government has already promoted the training of 8,000 teachers in the use of these devices and the aim is to gradually reach 23,000.
"There is not only sensitivity in having fire extinguishers, but also in learning how to use them," he said. "The handling itself is simple, but it's important to practice a drill because it gives security for later occasions. When we use something for the first time, there are always misgivings and doubts about how it will work."
Javier Mijangos, from Joyfesa, gave a theoretical session and another one internship on fire extinguisher handling to a dozen students of the specialization program in Fire Safety of the Research Training Program, both from Architecture and Engineering of the Building.