A fire extinguisher is essential to have close by in the event a fire emergency breaks out. It can help stop a small fire from growing larger if you are prepared. Having fire extinguishers placed in easy to access locations on every level of your home and in common spaces like the kitchen, laundry room and garage is the first step to protecting your home and family. Ensure proper functionality of extinguishers by knowing how to use them, when it is time to recharge, and how to maintain them.
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Using a Fire Extinguisher
Using a fire extinguisher can be intimidating. If the fire is small and contained, use the fire extinguisher to put out the fire and remember the acronym P.A.S.S. when operating one. If your exit starts becoming blocked, it is important to exit your home immediately.
P - Pull the pin
A - Aim the nozzle low at the base of the fire
S - Squeeze the trigger
S - Sweep from side to side
How Often Should You Perform Maintenance or Inspections on Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be inspected regularly to ensure that they can perform in a fire emergency. It is recommended to perform a visual inspection of your fire extinguishers weekly to check the pressure gauge. Remove the extinguisher from the mounting bracket to do so. If the yellow pointer on the gauge is in the green zone, the extinguisher is properly pressurized and ready to use. If the gauge is pointing to the red zone it means that there is NOT enough pressure, and your fire extinguisher should be replaced. A professional maintenance inspection by a certified fire equipment dealer should be conducted on an annual basis to ensure that the extinguisher will function correctly in the event of an emergency.
When inspecting your fire extinguishers, be sure to look for signs of damage or misuse.
- Be sure that you can read all of the text and safety information on the label
- Examine the surface for any rust or corrosion
- If the extinguisher is wet or dirty, clean or dry it to help prevent corrosion
- All fire extinguishers have a safety seal or tamper indicator. Ensure that this is still intact and that the nozzle is clean and free from any obstructions
- Most fire extinguishers need to be refilled or refurbished every 5-6 years, so always check the manufacture date to confirm that it hasn&#;t expired
How to Recharge a Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers need to be recharged after each use &#; even if they aren&#;t empty &#; to ensure that there will be enough pressure and suppressant liquid to properly extinguish another fire. They should also be recharged if they become damaged, or periodically throughout their lifespan. Your fire extinguishers should only be recharged by a certified fire equipment dealer or fire protection company. Once a year, a certified fire equipment dealer, in accordance with the service manual identified on the product label, should perform maintenance on the fire extinguisher. You can contact your local fire department to find out where you can have your fire extinguisher recharged properly if you aren&#;t sure.
First Alert Fire Extinguishers
At First Alert, we carry different types of fire extinguishers including both residential fire extinguishers and commercial extinguishers. From small kitchen or garage models to large, heavy duty commercial models, we can provide you with the right protection to handle small fires. Equip and protect your home or business by purchasing a First Alert fire extinguisher online today and make sure that you are performing the proper maintenance and recharging them as needed.
Business owners tend to think of fire extinguishers as constants &#; they're always nearby, ready and waiting if a fire breaks out. But the truth is that fire extinguishers often are not prepared because they haven't been adequately maintained. There are countless instances of employees attempting to fight an incipient-stage fire with a portable extinguisher only to discover too late that the fire extinguisher is not charged &#; even if it has never been used before.
Business owners need to understand the importance of fire extinguisher recharging. This process is an essential aspect of fire extinguisher service and maintenance and cannot be ignored.
Why Fire Extinguishers Need to be Recharged
An undercharged, expired, or depressurized fire extinguisher can endanger your personnel and property. Commercial and industrial facilities need their fire extinguishers recharged by trained fire protection professionals to meet state codes, OSHA requirements, and insurance company recommendations.
Fire protection companies have the tools, training, and knowledge to ensure fire extinguishers are in peak working condition and appropriately refilled with the correct extinguishing agent. A qualified fire protection service provider will have deep expertise recharging all types of fire extinguishers, including:
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- ABC dry chemical
- Carbon dioxide
- Wet chemical
- Water
- Foam
- Clean agent or halogen
Dig Deeper
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Learn three critical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a suitable fire extinguisher for your needs. Learn More &#;
When do Fire Extinguishers Need to be Recharged?
Fire extinguishers must be recharged directly after use to ensure enough pressure and suppressant liquid are stored and ready to extinguish a fire. Below are several instances where fire extinguisher recharging needs to occur.
Immediately after each use - Fire extinguishers need to be recharged immediately after each use. Even if the extinguishing agent inside was not completely discharged, the extinguisher still needs to be serviced to ensure it's ready for its subsequent use. A minimal discharge will typically result in leakage and an eventual total loss of pressure required for proper operation.
Periodically throughout their life - Fire extinguishers need to be recharged regularly throughout their life. The manufacturer's service guidelines and the NFPA 10 standard for portable fire extinguishers require periodic internal examination and recharging even if they haven't been used. For the most commonly used stored pressure dry chemical fire extinguishers, this internal examination and recharging are required at six and twelve years from the date of manufacture noted on the extinguisher.
Signs of apparent damage, corrosion, or nozzle blockage - Fire extinguishers need to be inspected or recharged due to deterioration or other environmental factors that may result in them becoming depressurized.
How to Check a Fire Extinguisher Gauge
Business owners should perform a quick fire extinguisher inspection at least once per month, and one of the most important factors to check during this inspection is the pressure gauge. The gauge will tell you whether the unit is undercharged, overcharged, or within the operational zone. You want the needle to point within the green area for optimal use. If the pressure gauge is in the "Recharge" position or is reading in the "Over Pressurized Range," the best thing is to bring it to a fire protection technician for service.
Related Resource
HOW OFTEN SHOULD FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BE INSPECTED?
Discover when fire extinguishers need to be tested and the schedule for each occurrence. Learn More &#;
What is the Fire Extinguisher Recharging Process?
Here is what you can expect when your fire extinguisher is recharged. Below is not a guide for recharging a fire extinguisher but an overview so that you can understand the process.
Stay Protected and Prepared with Fire Extinguisher Recharging Services
One of the simplest ways to help protect your business from incipient-stage fires is to partner with an experienced fire protection company to conduct thorough maintenance procedures such as fire extinguisher recharging.
While a visual inspection may uncover something wrong with a fire extinguisher, fire prevention professionals should only conduct thorough inspections and maintenance procedures. Whether immediately after each use, periodically throughout their life, or when depressurization occurs, our trained technicians are available 24/7 to recharge your fire extinguishers to ensure regulatory compliance and functionality.
When it's time for service, technicians will arrive promptly at your location &#; eliminating the need to schedule an appointment. Highly trained fire extinguisher technicians will inspect safety devices to ensure it is safe to recharge. Then, they perform the refilling process for you at minimal time and cost. If the fire extinguisher is damaged or unsafe to recharge, fire protection professionals can recommend an appropriate replacement.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published on April 21, , and has been updated for accuracy and current best practices.
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