Marianne Martinez
Chip pans are a common cause of house fires in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, with around 12,000 chip pan fires occurring annually in the UK. These fires are caused by the large amounts of heated oil used to cook food, which can easily catch fire if the oil becomes too hot, or if it spills or splashes onto the hob. Due to the risk of splashing and spreading the fire, water should never be used to extinguish a chip pan fire. Instead, a fire blanket or a Class F fire extinguisher should be used to put out the fire. If the fire cannot be contained, it is recommended to evacuate the building and call the emergency services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | In the UK, chip pans cause 35 fires a week, 12,000 fires a year, 1,100 of which are considered serious, resulting in 4,600 injuries and 50 deaths per year. |
| Cause | The use of large amounts of heated oil. The oil can catch fire if it gets too hot, if the pan is overfilled, or if the oil spills onto the hob. |
| Prevention | Avoid using chip pans, especially after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Use a thermostat-controlled electric deep fryer, oven, or microwave instead. If using a chip pan, never leave it unattended, turn the handle to the side, and do not fill the pan more than 1/3 full. |
| Extinguishing | Do not use water or a standard water extinguisher. Use a fire blanket, a Class F fire extinguisher, or a wet chemical extinguisher. If the fire cannot be contained, evacuate the building and call the fire department. |
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What You'll Learn
Never use water to extinguish a chip pan fire
If you try to put out a chip pan fire with water, the burning oil will be violently expelled from the container, causing the fire to spread. This is known as a "slopover" and can cause the fire to spread rapidly and even result in explosions. Instead of using water, it is recommended to use a fire blanket or a Class F fire extinguisher to extinguish a chip pan fire. These extinguishers use an alkaline solution that reacts with the fat to make it non-flammable.
If you do not have access to a fire blanket or Class F extinguisher, it is best to evacuate the building and call the emergency services. Do not try to fight the fire with water, as it will only make the situation worse. It is also important to have working heat detectors and smoke alarms in your kitchen to alert you to a fire quickly.
Chip pan fires are a serious safety hazard and have resulted in numerous injuries and deaths. They are the most common cause of house fires in the United Kingdom, with around 12,000 chip pan fires reported every year. To mitigate the risks, it is important to never leave a chip pan unattended and to ensure that it is not overfilled. It is also recommended that chip pans are not used by children or adults who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Use a Class F fire extinguisher or fire blanket
If a chip pan fire occurs, do not attempt to put it out with water. Water will cause the burning oil to splash and spread and may even cause an explosion. The best course of action is to use a Class F fire extinguisher or a fire blanket.
Class F fire extinguishers are designed for use on fires involving cooking oils. They come in two types: water mist and wet chemical. The water mist extinguishers dispense microscopic droplets of de-ionised water through a special nozzle, preventing splashing and allowing the water to gently fall onto the surface of the fire. The wet chemical extinguishers are designed specifically for chip pan fires and deep fat fryers.
Fire blankets are made of flame-proof substances, such as woven glass fibre or Kevlar, and are layered with fire-retardant film. They work by cutting off the oxygen supply to the fire. To use a fire blanket, first turn off the heat source if it is safe to do so. Pull the blanket out of its container by the tabs and wrap the corners around your hands for protection. Then, place the blanket over the pan, covering it completely. Leave the blanket in place for at least 15 to 30 minutes to ensure the fire is out and the oil has cooled below the flashpoint.
It is important to have the right fire-fighting equipment in your home, especially if you use a chip pan. Keep a fire blanket or Class F extinguisher easily accessible and close to the hob. Ensure that everyone in your household knows how to use them properly.
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Don't overfill the pan with oil
Chip pans are a common cause of house fires in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, with around 12,000 chip pan fires occurring each year. The risk of chip pan fires is significantly increased when they are used by adults who have been drinking or when they are left unattended, even for a second. Therefore, it is important to never overfill your chip pan with oil.
Firstly, the more potatoes or other food items you add to the pan, the higher the oil level gets. If the oil reaches the brim, it can easily catch fire and leak out onto your kitchen counter. Secondly, chip pans are dangerous because they use large amounts of heated oil to cook food. The more oil you put into the pan, the higher the risk of it igniting. Thirdly, chip pan fires can happen if the oil in the pan becomes too hot. Overfilling the pan with oil can increase the likelihood of this occurring, as it will take longer for the oil to reach the optimal temperature for cooking. Finally, if a chip pan fire does occur, it is important to remember never to use water to try and extinguish it. Water will cause the burning oil to splash and spread, and can even lead to explosions.
To avoid overfilling your chip pan with oil, it is recommended to only fill the pan up to one-third full. This will ensure that there is enough space for the oil to expand when it heats up and that the oil does not spill over the sides of the pan. Additionally, always dry food before adding it to the oil, including removing any ice. This will prevent the oil from splashing or spilling onto the hob, which can also cause a fire.
By following these guidelines and never overfilling your chip pan with oil, you can help reduce the risk of a chip pan fire occurring in your home.
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Never leave a chip pan unattended
Chip pans are a common cause of house fires in the United Kingdom, with around 12,000 chip pan fires every year, resulting in over 4,600 injuries and 50 deaths. The risk of chip pan fires is significantly higher when they are left unattended, especially when used in households with children and pets, or by adults who have been drinking alcohol.
Chip pans use large amounts of heated oil to cook food, and fires can easily occur if the oil becomes too hot, spills, or comes into contact with water. The hot oil can easily catch fire, and the flames can spread quickly. Even a quick trip to the toilet or a short break to set the table could mean missing the start of a fire, which can rapidly grow out of control. Therefore, it is crucial never to leave a chip pan unattended while it is in use.
To ensure safety when using a chip pan, it is recommended to have a working heat detector and smoke alarms installed in your kitchen and throughout your home. Regularly testing these alarms is essential to ensure they are functioning properly. Additionally, keep a fire blanket or a Class F fire extinguisher easily accessible near the hob. A fire blanket can be thrown over the fire to smother it, while a Class F fire extinguisher uses an alkaline solution to react with the fat and create a soapy substance, effectively extinguishing the flames.
It is also important to note that water should never be used to extinguish a chip pan fire. Attempting to do so can cause the burning oil to splash and spread, potentially leading to explosions. If a chip pan fire occurs, and you have the necessary safety equipment, you may attempt to extinguish the fire if it is still contained within the pan. However, if the fire has spread or cannot be safely extinguished, immediately evacuate the building and call the emergency services.
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Turn the handle to the side
If you are using a chip pan, it is important to turn the handle to the side. This is a safety precaution to prevent you from accidentally knocking the pan and causing hot oil to spill.
Chip pans are deep-sided cooking pans used for deep-frying, often for making chips or "French fries". They are commonly used in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. However, they pose a significant fire risk due to the large amounts of heated oil they use.
Chip pan fires are one of the most common forms of fire in the UK, with around 12,000 fires occurring each year. These fires can start very quickly and are challenging to prevent. The hot oil can easily catch fire if it gets too hot, if the pan is overfilled, or if oil spills onto the hob.
To prevent chip pan fires, it is crucial to follow safety precautions such as turning the handle to the side and never leaving the pan unattended. Additionally, ensure that the pan is not overfilled and that food is dried before being added to the oil. If the oil or fat starts to smoke, turn off the heat immediately and allow it to cool down.
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