Fire extinguishers should be checked regularly to ensure they’re ready to use if a fire breaks out. Inspections include visual examination, weighting and hydrostatic testing.
Establish a safety committee to keep employees up-to-date on inspections, injury statistics, and other key safety topics. Share this information through digital signage systems so employees feel engaged and take ownership of safety.
Check The Cap
Fire extinguishers are vulnerable to accidental and intentional tampering, such as loosening of pins, opening head cap seals or releasing contents prematurely. Tampering with such equipment may render it unfit for its original use or even cause it to completely fail.
To ensure that your extinguishers are ready to use, ensure the pressure gauge is in the green area and check that all hoses are free from cracks or leaks and properly set up for easy handling. Also look out for visible inspection tags which detail date and results of last inspection.
NFPA standards mandate hiring a fire protection professional to conduct both an in-depth visual inspection every month and more thorough physical inspection every year. Annual inspections include inspecting extinguisher nozzles, hoses, seals and labels while testing pressure gauges and triggers to verify performance.
Check The Weight
Fire extinguishers require regular inspections by an accredited maintenance contractor in order to remain fully charged and of appropriate weight, while also checking for damage and replacing its tamper seal as necessary. Furthermore, annual inspections involve pulling tests on pins as well as pressurization tests whereby pressure is applied on the cylinder to detect any weakening that could compromise its effectiveness in an emergency situation.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that every extinguisher should be carefully and routinely inspected, checking for damage, ensuring its pressure gauge (if equipped) is in the green range, and that it’s accessible without being blocked from view or obscured from view. Furthermore, check that its inspection tag remains visible and legible, without modifications that might reduce its effectiveness; document and record inspection results and actions taken so as to track extinguisher performance over time.
Check The Pressure
An overcharged оr low-pressure fire extinguisher іs useless іn an actual fire, which іs why fire extinguisher inspection includes checking their pressure levels.
Monthly visual inspections are quick, straightforward checks that any fire extinguisher owner should conduct regularly. They involve inspecting for physical damage to the cylinder, hoses or nozzles as well as making sure they remain accessible and unobstructed; and checking to make sure the tamper seal hasn’t been compromised in any way.
Annual physical inspections require more in-depth assessments by qualified personnel and involve checking pressure gauges, indicators and internal components of an extinguisher. A hydrostatic test involves stripping it back down to its essentials before filling it with water at specific pressure for an extended period. A date-stamped inspection tag is then attached, and records kept according to NFPA compliance.
Check The Nozzles
Over time, prolonged exposure to heat, dust, chemicals or physical impact may damage components like fire extinguisher nozzles, valves and handles over time. Therefore, it’s vitally important that these parts are regularly checked to ensure they continue working and do not prevent the discharge of fire fighting agent.
As part of regular maintenance checks on fire extinguishers, it is also vital to inspect their nozzles for signs of damage such as dents, punctures, and corrosion that could impair its functionality. Unfortunately, it may be easy to overlook these issues unless the unit has been regularly handled.
Check to make sure that the pressure gauge is pointing in the green operating area; if not, take immediate steps to recharge it. Furthermore, verify that the pull pin remains securely held by its tamper seal – its dislodgment could compromise your fire extinguisher’s performance in an emergency situation.
