Are You Paying Proper Attention to Your Fire Extinguishers?

A fire of any kind can be devastating in any location, whether at home or at work, and if you have responsibility for the said location, you need to ensure that your fire prevention system is up to date. At the very least, you need to maintain some fire extinguishers, but how often do you need to look at them in order to make sure that they are ready for action?

Attention Needed

Some people think that they can simply buy an extinguisher and that so long as it is in place, they will be adequately protected. Certainly, this may be the case at the beginning, but the average extinguisher may only last for a number of years before it needs to be replaced. Have a look at the date of manufacture which must be attached to the label and you can determine how long it should last with the proper care.

Gauge Performance

Most extinguishers these days have a simple gauge, and you should look at each gauge on a monthly basis to see if it is still in the required condition. The gauge indicates the level of charge. If it is 'in the red,' then it needs to be serviced. If your extinguishers do not have a gauge, then you will need to bring in a maintenance technician at least once per year.

Issues May Arise

Even if your extinguisher appears to be in relatively good condition, it may still need to be replaced due to general wear and tear. As you may know, the unit is full of compressed air. That air needs to be maintained at a certain pressure so that the chemical can be released when needed. The seal that sits around the neck of the extinguisher can deteriorate with time, and if it does, it can allow some of the compressed air to leak out.

Ready for Action

You also need to ensure that the hose is in good condition. Sometimes it can deteriorate, but you must never allow it to become blocked for any reason. Remember, you need to be able to engage the extinguisher immediately if you need it, without having to worry about any additional issue.

Assessing Your Need

The larger your building, the more extinguishers you will need, and you may even require additional fire suppression technology. Ask your maintenance technician for advice and make sure that they visit on a regular basis.

For more information on fire equipment, contact an appliance service.


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