Table of Contents
Examine the extinguisher for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle. Confirm the pressure gauge or indicator is in the operable range or position, and lift the extinguisher to ensure it is still full. Make sure the operating instructions on the nameplate are legible and facing outward.
How do you visually inspect a fire extinguisher?
What should you look for during a visual inspection? Look for obvious signs of physical damage, such as corrosion, leakage, or dents. Check the pressure gauge to make sure the indicator is in the operating range. Make sure the pull-pin is not missing and the pull pin seal is intact.
What are the main inspection points on a fire extinguisher?
Make sure the nozzle or other parts of the extinguisher are not obstructed in any way. If your portable fire extinguishers have a pin and tamper seal, check to see if they are intact and undamaged. Check for dents, rust, leaks or any sign of abuse or wear.
How often do fire extinguishers need to be inspected?
Water, foam, co2, wet chemical and powder fire extinguishers should be visually checked every month. These monthly checks are quick, easy to do and shouldn’t take up too much of your time.
Should you test fire extinguisher?
As a rough guide, extinguishers should be discharge tested every 5 years for water, foam and powder and 10 years for CO2. Sometimes known as an extended service or, for CO2, an overhaul service. The test makes sure they actually work and are in good condition internally.
How do you perform a monthly fire extinguisher inspection?
Check these details during a monthly fire extinguisher inspection. Confirm the extinguisher is visible, unobstructed, and in its designated location. Verify the locking pin is intact and the tamper seal is unbroken. Examine the extinguisher for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle.
How do you know if a fire extinguisher is fully charged?
Check the charge level of your fire extinguishers regularly. To check this style of extinguisher, depress the green button. If it is fully charged, the green button should pop back out immediately. On this style of fire extinguisher, the needle indicator should be in the “full” range.
How do you date a fire extinguisher?
To find out the age of an extinguisher you need to look for dates stamped on the cylinder body, printed on the extinguisher label or printed on the extinguisher itself. Sometimes the date stamp is hidden under the plastic ring around the neck of an extinguisher or under the plastic boot of the extinguisher.
How do you service a fire extinguisher?
Check the valve and shell for damage or corrosion. Remove the hose and check the threads, inspect the hose for cracks or splits, and inspect the condition of the discharge horn. Check the valve opening for powder or any foreign matter. Remove the extinguisher seal and locking pin and check the upper and lower handles.
How do you test a fire extinguisher without a pressure gauge?
If there is no gauge, how do I check my fire extinguisher? Because CO2 fire extinguishers cannot be tested by measuring the pressure, they are weighed. This can assure the amount of CO2 inside the canister and tell the owner when it must be refilled and serviced.
Is there an expiry date on fire extinguishers?
Even if there’s no expiration date, it won’t last forever. Manufacturers say most extinguishers should work for 5 to 15 years, but you might not know if you got yours three years ago or 13. If it falls anywhere else, the extinguisher is unreliable and should be serviced or replaced.
What is 6 year fire extinguisher maintenance?
6 year maintenance is required for all extinguishers which are subject to the 12 year hydrostatic test. This includes most stored-pressure extinguishers which can be recharged. If the extinguisher passes the six year inspection, a label needs to be affixed to the unit stating that the extinguisher has been inspected.
What is the validity of fire extinguisher?
When properly taken care, both portable and disposable Fire Extinguishers lasts for 10-12 years depending on the company, usage and conditions. They should be constantly refilled and when it reaches its peak life, it is recommended to get it hydrostatically tested to test the strength of the outer case.
How often should fire extinguishers be recharged?
“Fire extinguishers need to be recharged periodically throughout their life, even if they haven’t been used. Both the NFPA 10 code standard for portable fire extinguishers and manufacturer’s service guidelines require periodic internal examination and recharging.
Can I service my own fire extinguishers?
Basic Service There is no guidance set out in the Fire Safety Order 2005, besides that it needs to be conducted by a “competent person”. However, it’s highly recommended that this kind of servicing be conducted by someone who is third party accredited.
How do I know if my fire extinguisher is empty?
You can check which kind you have by checking the gauge. Rechargeable ones will read either “charge” or in the green, “overcharge” or “recharge,” and disposable ones will read “full” or “empty.” If you have a disposable extinguisher, they’re just that – disposable; they cannot be recharged.
Why do you shake a fire extinguisher?
Some manufacturers recommend shaking or inverting and patting the bottom of your dry chemical extinguishers once a month to prevent the powder from settling/packing. Dry chemical fire extinguishers require regular professional maintenance at 6 and 12 year intervals.
Is a 20 year old fire extinguisher still good?
Although they don’t have a true “expiration date,” traditional fire extinguishers generally have a 10-12 year life expectancy. Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years.
How do you read a fire extinguisher inspection label?
How to Properly Read Fire Extinguisher Tags The name of the company and person who last inspected the fire extinguisher. The date of the last inspection. The license number or certification of the inspecting technician. The fire extinguisher’s chemical type. Validation of inspection with a hole punch under “serviced.”.
What does the number on the bottom of a fire extinguisher mean?
The rating number that indicates the extinguishing capability, information on how much dry chemical should be in the fire extinguisher, and the suitable temperatures in which the agent will operate are on the label, as shown in the Photos 2, 2a, and 2b below.
