The fire extinguishers are the primary fire safety devices. However, mere installation of fire extinguishers is not sufficient; it is vital to keep track of their maintenance in order to ensure their working condition.
It is essential to maintain the fire extinguishers properly in various establishments including industries, warehouses, offices, etc.
How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Inspected?
Visual inspection of fire extinguishers is required sometimes to identify any defect in it which will affect its efficiency.
Such an inspection should include checking of:
- the presence of the fire extinguisher at the right place;
- visibility and accessibility of the device;
- integrity of the tamper seal;
- absence of leaks, corrosion, dents, and any kind of damage;
- appropriate pressure range for those with pressure gauges;
- damaged or obstructed nozzle and hose.
Facilities need to comply with the required fire safety standards and regulations in terms of inspection frequency.
How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Serviced?
Inspections and servicing are two different things. Inspecting the extinguisher is mostly about checking on its status, while servicing includes more complex maintenance performed by a qualified person.
The frequency of servicing is determined by the type of extinguisher, the standard under which it operates, requirements set forth by the manufacturer, and local regulations.
There are also cases when the extinguisher must be serviced right away due to its discharge, damage, exposure to bad environmental conditions, or because of corrosion or leakage.
Importance of Fire Extinguisher Servicing
Though there is nothing wrong with the fire extinguisher from the outside point of view, there might be some problems with it. Pressure loss, damaged components, corrosion, inappropriate placement, or outdated servicing are just some of the problems that can make the fire extinguisher not function in the proper way during the fire.
Fire extinguisher maintenance helps businesses:
- Prepare for emergencies better
- Find damaged or malfunctioning extinguishers
- Make sure of their accessibility and visibility
- Comply with all applicable requirements
- Avoid equipment malfunction
- Ensure fire protection system readiness
Don’t Forget About Extinguisher Placement
A well-maintained extinguisher will be of very little use if the employees do not have quick access to it.
The extinguishers need to be placed in proper places according to the building structure, fire hazards, number of occupants, etc. It should not be placed behind any equipment and/or in such a way that it cannot be reached by the employees.
Some fire hazards can require the use of a different type of agent for extinguishing the fires. Examples include electrical hazards, flammable liquid hazards, and ordinary combustible materials hazards.
An extinguisher which is well maintained will be of little use if the employees cannot get quick access to it.
The extinguishers need to be located in a proper manner depending on the nature of the building, fire hazards, etc. They should not be located behind any machinery, etc.
Fire hazards of different kinds can require different types of extinguishing agents to be used. These include electrical hazards, flammable liquid hazards, and ordinary combustible materials hazards.
Develop a Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Schedule
Businesses are expected to develop a fire extinguisher maintenance schedule for all the extinguishers installed within the premises.
This schedule should include the dates of inspections and servicing performed, the defects detected and how they were addressed, the next servicing date, among other information. Employees should know where the extinguishers are located and be trained in fire safety techniques.
Have Your Fire Extinguishers Ready in Case of an Emergency
Fire extinguishers are an important emergency equipment, but for them to be useful, they must be selected, placed, inspected, serviced and replaced as required.
Palladium Fire Safety Solutions offers professional Fire Safety and Protection Solutions to make any business’s workplace a safer environment.
Seeking support with fire extinguishers inspection and service, or other fire safety solutions for your establishment? Get in touch with Palladium Fire Safety Solutions.
