Things to Consider When Doing Fire Extinguisher Inspections

August 8, 2019 By admin

Fire extinguisher inspections are mandatory. You have to make sure that all fire extinguishers are always in working condition. This is important not just because it is the law, but because you want to make sure that everyone who lives or works in the building feels safe. Of course, nothing replaces the inspection that can be done by a professional who is trained in fire safety, but you can make sure that your fire extinguishers are working as they are supposed to work and that they are where they are supposed to be. Here are some things to look at when doing fire extinguisher inspections.

Placement: If you are in charge of a building’s safety, you should have been made aware about the mandatory placement of fire extinguishers. These locations are chosen to ensure optimal effectiveness in case of a fire. Find out where there are supposed to be and make sure they are there.

Fully Charged: The next thing you need to do is to make sure that every fire extinguisher is full. This is fairly easy to do, as the full extinguishers will be heavier, and the pressure gauge will show that it is full. Make sure that every fire extinguisher in your building is full enough to handle an accident that might occur by checking them monthly.

Damage: If a fire extinguisher is in the right place and full, but the nozzle or the handle is damaged then it is as good as not there. Make sure that there is no damage to the extinguisher. Any damage could render the extinguisher useless.

Expiry date: Look at your extinguisher. Check the expiry date to make sure that it has not expired. Also, if you don’t see an expiry date, you should know that it is common for fire extinguishers to be replaced 5 to 15 years after purchase. Nothing lasts forever, not even fire extinguishers.

Annual Inspection: By law, fire extinguishers in commercial buildings must be inspected annually and the inspections documented. Make sure you have your required inspections done.

Fire safety is a very important part of any building manager’s duties. Keeping fire extinguishers in working order is part of those duties. A casual inspection every month is important, but getting professionals in to come and make sure that everything is where it is supposed to be and that it works how it is supposed to work is required. Apna Fire and Electrical offers many services that can help a building manager. One of those services is professional fire extinguisher inspections. To make sure that your building is safe and ready for any emergency give them a call.