Data shows that fire accidents have gradually decreased in recent years, from 20,283 cases in 2021 to 15,237 in 2023, with standardized use and management of fire-fighting equipment playing a key role in this positive trend. In line with the Fire Control Law of the People's Republic of China, which emphasizes the principle of "prevention first, combining prevention and fire fighting", the campaigns focus on ensuring that fire-fighting equipment can effectively fulfill its fire prevention function, eliminating potential hazards before they escalate into disasters.
Jointly organized by fire rescue teams, market supervision bureaus, public security departments and housing authorities, the campaigns have been carried out across multiple cities. The core goal is not only to crack down on counterfeit and shoddy products but also to raise public awareness of the vital role of fire-fighting equipment in fire prevention — as these tools are not just for emergency response, but more importantly, for early fire detection and initial suppression to avoid small fires turning into major disasters.
A public lecture on fire product safety and fire prevention was held, where fire supervisors highlighted that qualified fire-fighting equipment is the first line of defense in fire prevention. They explained that counterfeit or unqualified equipment, such as substandard fire hoses and fire extinguishers, cannot effectively detect or suppress initial fires, greatly increasing the risk of fire spread. On-site, more than 2,000 unqualified products seized in recent inspections were destroyed, including fire hoses, water guns, fire extinguishers and self-rescue breathing apparatuses, to emphasize the importance of using genuine equipment for fire prevention.
Fire rescue teams went deep into communities to carry out vivid science popularization activities focusing on fire prevention. Firefighters conducted live experiments, showing how genuine fire extinguishers can quickly put out initial small fires, while counterfeit ones fail to work, leading to fire expansion. They also taught residents four key steps to identify fake fire extinguishers, stressing that using qualified equipment is crucial for timely fire prevention and control. "A small fire can be easily put out with a genuine fire extinguisher in the early stage, but counterfeit products will make the situation worse and even threaten lives," a fire宣传员 said.
“Genuine fire extinguishers have smooth bodies, clear labels, pressure gauges pointing to the green zone and standard weight, with traceable information via QR codes,” said a fire宣传员. “In contrast, counterfeit ones are crudely made, with vague labels, insufficient pressure and lighter weight, and their information cannot be queried — using such products is equivalent to leaving a fire hazard in daily life, which runs counter to fire prevention requirements.”
During the campaign, more than 4,880 pieces of counterfeit and expired fire-fighting equipment were seized. Relevant departments have penalized 12 venues for using unqualified or expired products, with fines totaling over 200,000 yuan. Fire officials emphasized that expired fire equipment, though not counterfeit, also loses its fire prevention function, as its components may degrade over time, failing to suppress initial fires and posing serious risks to public safety.
In addition to law enforcement and publicity, the campaigns also highlighted the importance of standardized management of fire equipment in fire prevention. According to the latest national standards GB50444-2025 and XF95-2015, and in line with the Fire Control Law, mandatory annual inspections for fire extinguishers have been adjusted to regular status checks and on-demand maintenance. Fire extinguisher users are required to conduct monthly self-inspections, including checking the firmness of the handle, the integrity of the safety pin and the smoothness of the valve, to ensure the equipment is always in good condition for fire prevention, and keep inspection records for at least three years.
“Fire-fighting equipment is irreplaceable in fire prevention — it is the first barrier to stop small fires from spreading, protect people’s lives and property, and maintain public safety,” said a representative of the local Fire Rescue Corps. “We will maintain a high-pressure stance against counterfeit and shoddy fire products, improve the whole-chain supervision system, and encourage public participation in supervision, so as to build a solid social fire safety barrier through qualified and well-maintained fire equipment.”
Authorities also reminded the public to purchase fire-fighting equipment through formal channels, and report any cases of selling or using counterfeit products via the 12345 hotline. Meanwhile, they called on enterprises and communities to strengthen the maintenance and management of fire equipment, in accordance with legal requirements, ensuring that it can effectively play its role in fire prevention and be used promptly in case of emergencies.