Do you know how often your fire extinguishers need to be inspected? Depending on the type of extinguisher and its location, an inspection could be as simple as checking for signs of wear. Others may require more frequent inspections. When it comes to fire extinguishers, their seals and mechanisms can deteriorate over time. If this happens, the seal may leak or fail to operate properly.
Even if your fire extinguisher is not in use all the time, you should still check on it regularly. A regular inspection will ensure that there are no signs of deterioration or wear. You don’t have to be a professional inspector to know whether something’s not right with your fire extinguisher or not.
Here are some tips on how often to check your fire extinguisher:
Check before you go out to extinguish a fire
Before you approach an incident intending to extinguish a fire, you need to know if there is a fire in the first place. For example, if an office in your building has started to burn, you may extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher without checking. But if you didn’t notice the fire, it may be too late.
Also, evaluate the situation. Does the fire pose a threat to nearby properties? If so, you may need to call 9-1-1 for assistance. Once you know for sure if there is a fire, you may go ahead and use your fire extinguisher. However, it may be prudent to check the extinguisher beforehand.
You can do so by:
- Searching for signs of deterioration. Deterioration of a fire extinguisher’s seals and mechanisms can cause leaks or fail to operate properly.
- Checking the gauge. Fire extinguishers are rated with a gauge that indicates the amount of pressure they can hold. The gauge should be between 5 and 40 pounds. If the gauge is lower than 5 pounds, the fire extinguisher is almost empty.
- Checking the gauge and the condition of the hose connection. A hose connection that is corroded has cracks, or has been damaged can result in low pressure and poor flow.
Inspect at the end of each shift
Once a day, you should inspect the fire extinguishers you use. This is a best practice, no matter if you operate a commercial or residential fire extinguishing system. You should inspect the fire extinguishers once you are done using them. This will ensure that the seals on the hoses and tanks are intact and that the lines are free of any obstructions. If there are any obstructions, you should fix them before proceeding.
Schedule a more frequent inspection during peak usage hours
Inspect your fire extinguishers during peak usage hours. This is during the hours when large amounts of people are in the building. This may be during the morning or in the evening when people return to their homes after work.
If a fire breaks out during these hours, it may require the use of several fire extinguishers at once. You should inspect your fire extinguishers when you see a large number of people using them. This will ensure that the seals on the extinguishers are intact and that they are being used appropriately.
Before you hire an inspector, make sure they are qualified and licensed
A qualified and licensed inspector is essential for inspecting fire extinguishers. A qualified inspector will know how to inspect the seals and mechanisms of a fire extinguisher and know how to fix any issues they find. An unqualified inspector could damage the seals of a fire extinguisher, or cause a leak by repositioning the seals.
When hiring an inspector, be sure that they have the right qualifications. Inspectors should have experience in installing and inspecting fire protection systems. They should also have a thorough understanding of the requirements for extinguishing fires, from the type of damage that can be caused by fire to the potential hazards posed by the fire.
After-hours inspections are not necessary, but helpful
After-hours inspections may be helpful, but they are not necessary. They are only beneficial if there is a leak or damage in the seals of the extinguishers, or if there is damage to the connections between hoses and tanks. You can also use visual inspection to check for this type of damage. Visual inspection can help you identify if there are any problems. This is good because it is not necessary to open up the extinguisher.
Conclusion
An annual inspection will let you know if your fire extinguisher is in good working order. However, you should inspect your fire extinguishers more often during peak usage hours and at the end of each shift. This will ensure that the seals and mechanisms of your fire extinguisher are in good working order. If you don’t inspect your fire extinguishers, you may not know if they are in danger of failing.