When you see flames or smell smoke, make sure your fire extinguisher is ready to go. In a perfect scenario, you pull the pin and aim to have a stream of powder or foam extinguish the blaze before it spreads.
But, is your fire extinguisher actually up for the job? If it has been sitting on a shelf or in a cabinet for the past two or three years untouched, chances are it needs a tune up.
In the case of fire extinguishers, maintenance is the dividing line between risk and confidence. It's also the line between halting a small fire and having unchecked flames turn into a catastrophic disaster that could damage property, claim lives and spread to the nearby landscape.
For some context, fire extinguisher maintenance appointments ensure this secondary suppression system functions correctly and can be activated with ease when you need it. To come to this conclusion, a professional assesses the system's pressure, makes sure the nozzle and other parts work as expected and checks for corrosion and other signs of damage. Should the system fail in any of these regards, you'll be advised to have it repaired or replaced. Added to this, regular maintenance helps you get the most use out of your fire extinguisher.
Whether you're a business owner following local codes or a homeowner prioritizing your family's safety, here's why your fire extinguisher needs to be maintained:
Compliance
Fires aren't always contained within a structure. Frequently, they spread - from home to home, building to building and into wooded areas. This progression jeopardizes lives, destroys property, affects a region's economy, can impact its ecosystems and may expose many to hazardous wildfire smoke. From a holistic level, building codes and fire safety regulations act as a control mechanism to stop this scenario before it starts.
These legal requirements span everything from building materials to features like ventilation, and fire suppression and adequate maintenance are added into the mix. Most communities require fire extinguishers plus primary suppression systems to be inspected annually by a certified technician.
For an additional protective measure, have your maintenance or property management staff assess your fire extinguishers at least once per month. These checks should involve looking for visible damage, making sure all extinguishers are in their proper locations and ensuring the pressure gauges remain in the green.
Identifying Issues Early On
Routine fire extinguisher checks help identify issues that might have flown under the radar until your annual inspection - or until you need to put out a fire and find you don't have adequate equipment.
Regular inspection and testing help you identify:
- When the valve, pressure gauge, seal, nozzle or hose is damaged and needs to be replaced.
- The presence of cracks and leaks, which could be altering the system's pressure and render it unusable.
- If the fire extinguisher has been dropped, moved from its proper location or placed in a less-accessible area.
From here, you can make an appointment to have your system serviced and recharged. Or, you understand that it's time to order a replacement.
Ensuring It's Ready to Use
As flames spread from a trashcan or cooking area, you shouldn't be asking yourself, "Will the fire extinguisher work?" Routine maintenance ultimately gives you an answer and allows you to focus on operating the system and suppressing the growing blaze.
So you feel confident that you can carry out this procedure, fire extinguisher inspections touch on the following:
- Pressure and discharge tests, to ensure it sufficiently expels the powder or foam toward the flames.
- Recharging and refilling the fire extinguisher, making sure it has a sufficient supply of its suppressant.
- Checking the system's expiration date, so you know to order a replacement before an emergency.
These steps verify that you have a working fire extinguisher capable of:
- Sufficiently and reliably addressing smaller fires in a workplace or residential setting.
- Serving as a secondary suppression mechanism in conjunction with a sprinkler or similar system.
- Preventing a small fire from becoming a bigger and more intensive disaster.
- Saving lives by controlling smaller fires and giving people time and a clear path to evacuate your building.
Order Fire Extinguishers From Fire Safety USA
Is it time for a new fire extinguisher? Find the corresponding class based upon hazard and business operation at Fire Safety USA now, as well as mounting and more accessories for securing your system.