Important steps to execute a fire extinguisher inspection!

One of the most overlooked items in your home or office may be a fire extinguisher. It's not enough to simply have a fire extinguisher in your house or office; you need to know how to use it properly. Fire extinguishers need to be inspected and maintained regularly to make sure that they are ready for use in an emergency. Some of the most common steps that one needs to follow to complete a fire extinguisher inspection are –

Ensure Accessibility-

During the fire outbreak, every second counts, and a fire extinguisher is of no use if you cannot find it. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that your fire extinguisher is visible, easy to access, and kept at a designated location. Apart from this, you must also ensure that the instructions on the nameplate are legible and facing outward.

Check pressure gauge-

A pressure gauge is an important component of a fire extinguisher because it indicates whether or not the device is in the proper operating range. You should also ensure that the needle on your fire extinguisher reflects the correct pressure. If your fire extinguisher has a test marker, you can utilize it by pressing down and inspecting to see if the pressure reading is correct or not.

Look for any external damage-

External damage indicates that your fire extinguisher is no longer in working condition and needs to be replaced immediately. It is important to inspect any visible signs of damage to the fire extinguishing can, including dents or corrosion. Confirm that the pull pin is present and the seal around the pull pin is intact.

Clean and shake-

Check the outside of the fire extinguisher for issues like corrosion, leaking, dents, oil, or grease, and clean as needed. In addition to cleaning, the US Fire Administration (USFA) also recommends checking for the instructions for fire extinguisher maintenance. For example, certain extinguishers need to be shaken periodically, or pressure is monitored every year. It is vital to know that, on average, fire extinguishers are good for five to fifteen years and will normally mention an expiration date on the can of the fire extinguisher.

Mentioning the maintenance tag-

Maintaining the paper maintenance tag is the next-to-last step in your monthly fire extinguisher checks. This will help you keep track of when your fire extinguisher was last tested.

Scheduling your annual maintenance inspection

It is essential to know that annual fire extinguisher maintenance inspections need to be performed by a professional fire protection company. These companies have the proper equipment and training to ensure optimal fire extinguisher compliance. In addition, they'll be able to spot and fix any fire extinguisher flaws before they become a hazard. If you need some additional resources, you might consider reaching out to your local fire department for their advice.

So, the aforementioned are some of the most common steps that one needs to follow to complete a fire extinguisher inspection at a home or office. At FireServ, we know protecting your building from fire hazards is a top priority. For more information regarding any fire fighting or protection systems, contact our experts at (800) 567-5740 or (718) 499-4805 for immediate assistance.

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