What you need for a fire safety demonstration

A fire safety demonstration needs more than extinguishers and a safe place to light a test fire. You will also need protective clothing, controlled demonstration surfaces, water or sand for backup, clear warning signs and equipment for communicating with the audience. Check expiry dates and inspect every item before the event. This list also covers practical setup items such as tables, barriers, lighting, power supplies and spare batteries.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 100
Crowd barriersqty 20
Information desk
Party tentsqty 3

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable lampsqty 6
Megaphone
Spare batteriesqty 12

Fire safety

Powder fire extinguishersqty 4
Foam extinguishersqty 4
CO2 extinguishersqty 2
Fire blanketsqty 6
Fire hosesqty 2
Fire-resistant glovesqty 6
Fire-resistant apronsqty 4
Safety gogglesqty 8
Safety helmetsqty 6
Heat-resistant tongsqty 4
Metal demo traysqty 4
Fireproof underlaysqty 4
Metal waste binsqty 4
Water barrelsqty 2
Sand pitsqty 2
Catch basinsqty 4
Asbestos-resistant fire blanketsqty 4

Signage

Warning signsqty 10
No entry signsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 6
Traffic conesqty 16
Name stickersqty 120

First aid

First aid kit
Burn kitqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Storage binsqty 10

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Mini rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 5 loaves
- Herb cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan spreads - 4 tubs
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs

Tips

Plan at least one suitable extinguisher for each fire scenario, plus a spare unit for the demonstration team. Check powder, foam and CO2 extinguishers before the event and confirm that none are past its expiry date.
Provide fire-resistant gloves, aprons, safety goggles and helmets for every person working inside the demonstration area. Add at least one spare set per size used so a damaged or poorly fitting item does not stop the session.
Use a metal demonstration tray on a fireproof underlay, with a catch basin underneath where needed. Keep water barrels, sand pits and metal waste bins ready before the first scenario starts, not after a fire has been put out.
Set crowd barriers and warning signs far enough from the demonstration area to keep spectators outside the operating zone. Place the information desk near the entrance, where staff can direct arrivals without blocking the route.
Bring a wireless microphone or portable speaker, extension cords, power strips and rechargeable lamps for the full programme. Pack spare batteries and charge every rechargeable device before leaving for the venue.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a fire safety demonstration?: Plan for the extinguishers and fire blankets required by each scenario, plus protective gear, metal demonstration trays, fireproof underlays, catch basins and waste bins. Add barriers, warning signs, communication equipment and backup water or sand before the event.
How many fire extinguishers should I buy for a demonstration?: Use at least one suitable extinguisher for every planned fire scenario and keep one additional compatible unit as a backup. The exact types depend on the fuels used, so confirm the selection with the demonstration leader before shopping.
What protective clothing is needed for a fire demonstration?: Provide fire-resistant gloves, aprons, safety goggles and safety helmets for every active demonstrator. Check sizes at least 1 week beforehand and keep one spare set for each commonly used size.
What should I prepare for the audience area?: Bring crowd barriers, warning signs, chairs, tables and a staffed information desk. Test the microphone or portable speaker at least 1 hour before the demonstration and keep the audience route clear throughout.

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