As an important part of fire safety, I understand that professional inspections of fire extinguishers ensure they are in top working order and ready to save lives and property in emergencies. To operate properly and comply with applicable fire safety standards, fire extinguishers must undergo routine inspections by an expert. Inspections may indicate problems before they become major problems, saving people’s lives, preventing property damage, and reducing financial loss.
Safety inspections are more than detecting issues; they additionally promote continual improvement. Organizations may improve their safety regulations, training programs, and response plans for emergencies by frequently examining safety measures and policies.
Why Fire Extinguisher Inspection is Crucial
The early identification of any problems or broken parts in your fire extinguishers is made possible by routine inspections. Fire extinguishers may become contaminated or wear out over time. It is critical to detect these problems early on to avoid the extinguisher malfunctioning during an emergency.
A firefighting device that wasn’t checked or tested might have leaks or loss of pressure, making it useless. A fire extinguisher that has not been inspected regularly may be misplaced or placed in an inappropriate location. Routine inspections verify that the extinguishers are in optimal working order and adhere to the necessary regulations.
Fire Extinguisher Inspection Tags: What Do They Mean?
Fire extinguisher inspection tags are little labels that fire protection organizations place to firefighting equipment following an examination. These tags keep track of the latest inspection date, the device’s condition, and any required repair or maintenance.
How to Read a Fire Extinguisher Tag
The tag shows everything you must understand about your fire extinguisher, such as its serial number, model number, or any additional identifying details. Many fire extinguishers contain dual tags, one for the expiration date and the other for its current condition.
The second type, which is often yellow, is a status or cylinder tag. Every state has its own set of regulations for what the status tag must provide. All recorded data is important for keeping your fire extinguisher effective; never remove or mark the tag unless allowed.
All of the important details regarding your fire extinguisher are provided by the status tag, such as:
- The name of the organization and individual who conducted the most recent fire extinguisher inspection.
- The date of the previous inspection.
- The inspection technician’s license or certifying number.
- The chemical type of fire extinguisher.
- Confirmation of the examination with a hole punch beneath “serviced.”
- The latest inspections month and year.
Each fire extinguisher status tag will have the words “Serviced, New, Recharged” at the bottom. The active state of your extinguisher is indicated by this description. Please consider that specific extinguisher models may display this status on a gauge instead of a label.
How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Inspected?
You must check extinguishers more often when they are ready for use in areas where they are more prone to corrosion, affected, or tampering.
Based on the kind of inspection, there are various suggestions and regulations for the period between inspections. The three methods for testing fire extinguishers are as follows:
1. Visual Fire Extinguisher Inspections
OSHA [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2)] says that management must visually inspect portable fire extinguishers once a month. This is also an excellent guideline for homeowners to follow. Visually examining your fire extinguishers allows for several crucial aspects:
- The fire extinguisher remains in its appropriate place.
- No damage has been done to the equipment, and nothing is obstructing its view or convenient access.
- The extinguisher has been completely charged and is in working order.
What should you check for while conducting a visual inspection?
- Keep an eye out for any obvious indications of physical harm, including dents, rust, or leaks.
- Verify that the pressure gauge’s indicator is within the operational range.
- Check that the pull-pin is present and that the pull-pin seal is undamaged.
- Check the date of the most recent expert inspection.
- Read the date and verify the reverse of the tag to record the monthly visual inspection.
2. Maintenance Inspections
According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3), employers are required to do a full maintenance inspection on their portable fire extinguishers once per year. “Maintenance” means a thorough assessment and, if necessary, replacement of all your facility’s disposable fire extinguishers, as described in NFPA 10(98), Section 4-4.
A professional fire protection company should conduct annual fire extinguisher maintenance inspections. Such companies are equipped with the right tools and instructions to provide maximum compliance while identifying and resolving any potentially dangerous circumstances. After passing its yearly maintenance, a fire extinguisher is marked with a dated inspection tag. This tag is valid for a year after the specified date. If the unit is not inspected, it needs to be replaced or repaired.
3. Internal Maintenance Inspection
This internal maintenance needs the guidance of a fire safety company. Interior maintenance testing includes discharge of the fire extinguisher and doing a thorough internal inspection and recharging to ensure that every part of the fire extinguisher is functioning properly. Dry chemical extinguishers, which must pass a 12-year hydrostatic test, must also undergo a 6-year internal inspection.
The fire extinguisher cylinders must undergo hydrostatic testing regularly to verify their reliability and capacity to safely hold the pressure needed to release the agent, either in addition to or as a component of the internal care inspection.
Hydrostatic testing of pressured water, carbon dioxide, and wet chemical extinguishers is often required every five years. It is necessary to examine dry chemical extinguishers every twelve years.
Not only does regular inspection and servicing of portable fire extinguishers at your workplace comply with certain OSHA and NFPA regulations, but it also protects your company and the staff.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fire Extinguisher Inspection
Here’s a step-by-step guide to fire extinguisher inspection just for your convenience:
Step 1: Locate the Fire Extinguisher
Make sure the fire extinguisher is located where it should be. The extinguisher’s placement must be obvious so that even those unfamiliar with the area may discover it immediately in an emergency.
Step 2: Check the Tamper Seal and Pull Pin
The pull pin and tamper seal of the fire extinguisher need to be undamaged. Experts should replace or recharge used fire extinguishers right away.
Step 3: Examine the Physical Condition
Check the extinguisher body for any obvious indications of rust, corrosion, leaks, dents, or other wear and tear. Additionally, inspect the hose and nozzle for corrosion, cracks, or obstructions. Experts must replace damaged parts.
Step 4: Check the Pressure Gauge
The needle of the pressure gauge must be in the green zone, which indicates that the extinguisher is fully charged. When it’s in the red area it shows that the fire extinguisher can be undercharged or overcharged. The extinguisher requires to be serviced or replaced.
Step 5: Verify the Weight
Lifting up and testing the weight of the extinguisher will typically tell you if it’s perfect. If it appears significantly lighter than it needs to be, it could mean that the extinguisher is missing part of its firefighting materials and requires to be replaced or serviced.
Step 6: Check the Inspection Tag or Label
Check the inspection tag or label to make sure it shows the most recent professional inspection, which is usually necessary once a year in accordance with OSHA and NFPA regulations. If the tag says the previous inspection was more than a year ago, make an appointment right away for an expert fire extinguisher inspection.
Step 7: Record the Fire Extinguisher Inspection
After the fire extinguisher testing, take note of the date, the inspector’s name, and any unexpected findings or faults discovered during the examination. This record-keeping allows you to trace the examination history of every fire extinguisher to detect any continuing faults.
Step 8: Communicate Any Issues
When you find any problems throughout your fire extinguisher safety inspection, call the appropriate people or department within the organization in charge of fire safety. They should contact a competent fire equipment organization to change, service, or restore the fire extinguisher as needed.
Fire Extinguisher Inspection Requirements
Whenever it relates to commercial fire safety, a variety of regulations and laws must be observed.
The most important components of fire safety in a business or commercial organization are the fire safety devices used to save individuals in the event of a fire. Usually, fire extinguishers are used for this.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005 states that the owner of the property is legally required to supply “suitable firefighting tools, particularly portable fire extinguishers.” Fire extinguishers must work properly and be able to put out a fire if one breaks out to be labeled “suitable.” With that in mind, fire extinguisher checks are important.
According to OSHA 1910.157, General Industry Standard, every month, portable extinguishers must undergo a visual inspection. The employer is responsible for ensuring that portable fire extinguishers undergo a yearly maintenance inspection.
OSHA Construction Standard 1926.150 demands that all firefighting apparatus be inspected and kept in good working order regularly. Any defective equipment must be replaced right away.
Regulations often require monthly visual examinations and annual professional inspections to confirm that fire extinguishers are operational and compliant. Failing to comply with these regulations could result in fines or legal penalties.
Conclusion
Regular fire extinguisher inspections are required to verify that these lifesaving instruments operate effectively in an emergency. Monthly visual examinations and annual professional testing help to ensure that you follow safety rules and keep your extinguishers in good working order.
Don’t wait until it’s too late; consider inspecting your fire extinguishers right away, and arrange a professional inspection if necessary. Maintaining your fire safety equipment will help you avoid potential dangers and save your loved ones and belongings.
