Because of the low probability of most places catching fire, fire extinguishers often sit at the ready for years on end and end up expiring without notice. They are truly just a “just in case” object that is on standby to protect your home or office from fire threats, but once they expire or go bad, you will want these replaced. The last thing you want is the imminent threat of fires and finding out your extinguisher isn’t charged and it does not work.
When it comes to workplaces and fire extinguishers, most areas have laws regarding the proper examination and inspection procedures for fire prevention products. Here are ways to inspect your extinguishers and how often they should be conducted according to certain laws and fire codes:
Visual Fire Extinguisher Inspections
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), businesses should have their fire safety equipment inspected visually once a month. Homeowners may also follow this procedure, as it pays to be on the safe side. They will monitor if the extinguishers are still in their designated locations, that there are no exterior damages, that there is nothing obstructing its access, and that it is fully charged for use.
Maintenance Inspections
OSHA requires maintenance inspections on portable fire safety units at least once per year, which entails a more thorough examination of the products. These are usually inspected and conducted by professional fire protection companies, as they have the proper tools and training to deal with these devices. Professionals are also able to analyze hazardous environments and find ways to improve overall safety from fire hazards. Once the fire extinguisher passes the annual maintenance check, it is stamped with a dated tag that indicates it has been approved for emergency use. If the unit is deemed unusable or defective, it must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Internal Maintenance Inspections
When it comes to internal maintenance, only qualified fire professionals should handle this, and depending on the equipment type, this should be conducted every five, six, or twelve years. Involved in this procedure is a complete discharge of all contents and a complete examination of the integrity of the product’s internals.
Once the product passes quality checks, it is then subject to recharging of chemicals to ensure that it is working correctly. Dry chemical types of extinguishers require a six-year internal examination, with a twelve-year hydrostatic test.
Periodically down the line, fire extinguishers should be tested for their integrity regarding how well they are able to contain the pressurization used to expel the agent. Wet chemical extinguishers, pressurized water, and carbon dioxide versions require testing every five years. For more information on OSHA standards for testing, refer to this link.
Conclusion
Don’t allow your business to continue to operate without the scheduled maintenance check-ups. Although they seem like an extra hassle or more work and expenses to do, they can save your business if it runs into fires. After all, it is better to be safe than to be sorry.
Here at Atlantic Fire Pro, we are a professionally certified fire safety protection agency in New Jersey. Contact us today for top-notch fire safety procedures and services!