What You Need to Know About Recharging Your Fire Extinguishers
If you think you can smash the glass of that fire extinguisher case anytime you need it—think again. Sure you can break the glass and take out the fire extinguisher, but the most important question is, will it work? Contrary to what you might believe, fire extinguishers encased in glass compartments that are attached to the wall need proper, routine maintenance. And one way to properly maintain a fire extinguisher and ensure that it will work in the event of an emergency is to recharge it.
When should fire extinguishers be recharged?
You need to recharge a fire extinguisher immediately after use. Even if the extinguishing agent inside was not totally discharged, the fire extinguisher still needs to be recharged to ensure that it’s ready for its next use.
Even if the fire extinguisher accidentally discharged only a small amount, it should be recharged right away. This is because, when the extinguisher discharges, it loses significant pressure, which can make it faulty should a real need for the extinguisher arise.
You also need to have your extinguisher recharged after any service that empties it. The monthly visual inspection and the annual maintenance check do not involve discharging the extinguisher. However, internal maintenance (such as the six-year maintenance for stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers) and hydrostatic testing do require the unit to be emptied, and a recharge follows.
Additionally, recharging happens as part of those scheduled services, such as the six-year maintenance and hydrostatic testing, even if the extinguisher hasn’t been used. For details on the federal requirements, see OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157.
What is the process of recharging?
Only a trained professional can recharge a fire extinguisher. In most cases, you can have the fire extinguisher recharged by the company where you bought your extinguisher from.
The first thing that will happen is the extinguisher will be completely depressurized and the agent will be removed from the cylinder. After this, the siphon tube will need to be removed from the valve, as well as the valve stem.
Your technician will clean the valve, replace the neck o-ring, and inspect the unit for any signs of damage. Once this is done, the valve will be reassembled with a new valve stem installed to ensure proper seating and to avoid pressure loss.
The agent will be refilled with the appropriate amount based on its size. It will then be re-pressurized with the right amount of pressuring gas and pressure, based on the recharging instructions.
After this, the professional will conduct a leak test to ensure that there are no leaks. When everything is settled, the discharge nozzle will be reinstalled. Before the fire extinguisher is put back in its place, it will be weighed to confirm the total weight is within the allowed range based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Lastly, a new tamper seal will be added.
Conclusion
If you own a fire extinguisher, it is crucial that you know the importance of recharging and routine inspections. Even if you haven’t used the extinguisher for a while, the reason you have one in your property is to keep you and the occupants inside safe and protected in the event of an emergency. As such, don’t let your extinguisher sit in its place for years. Make sure that it gets routine inspections and recharge it when necessary.
Never gamble when it comes to fire safety. Have your extinguishes recharged immediately to ensure that you’re protected at all times.
Contact us now for fire extinguisher services in New Jersey! We perform outstanding fire extinguisher recharging and annual inspections that you deserve.