Taxi Driver Online

What policy does your council have for the fire extinguisher that you have to carry? Does the policy stated the type, size and age limit for your extinguisher?

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Grandad,

1kg with dial gauge for contents

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

This is what is in our policy. Anyone spot the problem?
A Fire Extinguisher must be carried in each vehicle. The extinguisher must be
securely fixed in a position readily available to the driver. It must be certified in
accordance with the appropriate British Standard. The date of expiry must be
clearly visible and it must be marked clearly with the vehicle registration
number or licence plate number.

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Grandad,

The BS for fire extinguishers went out of date years ago. If you have a hybrid car, what type do you carry? Foam or water types may not be suitable for an electrical fire.

For what reason do we carry a fire extinguisher anyway? Ever used one in anger? I haven't.

Ever discussed with your local fire brigade what to do in the event of a vehicle fire?

I have and they told me do not attempt to put it out yourself, call the professionals.

Might be best to let it burn out anyway.

What steps to take in the event of a fire? BIG ONES!

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Former taxi driver

same as ours, yet the amount of times it flashes up on the datahead " can someone lend car (whatever number) a fire extinguisher for a test is unreal, they are only about £20 ffs

Cos you are told to....end of

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

When I first started on the cabs back in 1988 I was told to let the car burn if it ever set on fire.

As for extinguisher's if we aren't trained to use them we shouldn't carry them.

Our lots answer to that would be the same as the first aid kit. Others at the scene may be qualified. If they are qualified they should have their own.

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Grandad,

If they brought it back in here (the requirement was removed) I would give them a letter stating "No matter the circumstances, on Fire Brigade advice, I will not use it" and get it put on my file.

I was extensively trained in fire fighting - I WOULD NOT USE IT.

I think they actually make people feel like Heroes - they end up looking like Pillox.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

I agree.

We have an identical policy the biggest problem we have is the requirement to have it accessible from the drivers seat in a proper Hackney that isn't an issue but in a Ph saloon car there isn't a good place to put it.

"A fire extinguisher meeting the current British standard is required to be provided within the vehicle. A first aid kit of such type and quantities adequate for the number of passengers carried shall also be carried in the vehicle"...
that's what states in a HC & PH Condition Booklet.... tbh. the very last time someone asked me about my extinguisher was about 6 yrs. ago maybe... since then every MOT and taxi test nobody even pretend to ask and probably mine is out of date and somewhere in the bottom of my boot...

about first aid kit is different story... booklet says:
"first aid kit carried in such a position to be readily available for immediate use in an emergency"
but NVQ says:
"for your own use only"...
that's what I remember from the course... who is right? I don't really care, I'm not a fireman neither paramedic...

Well! If you take it to the letter, it does not say that it has got to be replaced once it is expired.

i.e Was it certified with the appropriate British Standard - Yes.
Was the date/reg/license plate number clearly visible - Yes.

As an aside. I did 10 years in Cardiff with a fire extinguisher got to be on board requirement....never once was it checked. So! who does the checking Or do they become a throw away job......and buy another one?

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Common sense........is just not that Common.