Keeping a functional fire extinguisher in your home or place of work is required by law for a reason. After all, a working fire extinguisher could one day be the difference between a small fire that was quickly put out and one that leaves your property charred beyond recognition. Depending on its physical condition, as well as whether it’s been used lately, then your building’s fire extinguisher could be in need of a recharge or a replacement.
In this article we will discuss the situations that will require you to recharge or replace the canister, in order to have a better grasp of the fire extinguisher’s role in keeping you and your home or workplace safe.
When To Refill
Your fire extinguisher needs to be recharged if it has been used recently to put out a fire, provided that it has no visible defects such as cracking on the canister, and no missing or damaged parts such as the hose, gauge, pins, or the nozzles. It’s important to recharge the fire extinguisher even if it was used only sparingly to ensure that it is at its full power in the next incident. You can refill the same canister as often as you need in 12 years. After that, the National Fire Protection Agency recommends it be replaced.
If your unit has never been used and has never seen a recharge in 10 years, then it’s best to get it recharged as well. Some fire departments and accredited fire extinguisher services such as Atlantic Fire Protection will recharge your canister for a fee. Some companies may even offer annual maintenance and hydrostatic testing. However, the recharge you did on a 10 year old canister will only be good for another two years.
When to Replace
The most telltale signs of a damaged fire extinguisher are cracked hoses, broken or missing pins, an unstable handle, and visible rust on the surface. Another way to tell if a fire extinguisher should be replaced is if it continues to lose air pressure even after recharging. In this case, your portable fire extinguisher should be replaced immediately.
If a fire extinguisher appears to be fine, but has a missing inspection tag, it’s also highly recommended that it be replaced. This is because the inspection tag is often the only record of maintenance history. Without it, you’ll have no record of its current condition, or when it was last recharged. If a fire incident occurs, the same fire extinguisher could prove to be inutile in putting out a fire.
Which is more economical?
Given that your fire extinguisher has no physical deformities, has complete and working parts, and is no older than 12 years, then having it recharged is the cheaper option. However, given that a working fire extinguisher is your first line of defense against a fire that could end up costing millions in damage, it’s not advisable to skimp on your fire extinguisher altogether.
Conclusion
Fire extinguishers are not just there for compliance. In case of fire, a working fire extinguisher may be the only difference between a small incident and a life threatening disaster. If you’re still in doubt and want to ensure that your fire extinguishers are always ready, it’s a good idea to contact providers of certified fire extinguishers near you.
Atlantic Fire Protection is a fire suppression systems inspection company from New Jersey. Aside from selling and servicing fire extinguishers, we also install kitchen suppression systems and emergency/exit lighting systems. Contact us today to know more.