What are the Reasons for Your Fire Extinguishers needing to be Serviced?

 A fire extinguisher is the most crucial equipment that helps to put off the fire. So this safety tool is almost placed in every building, be it hotels, restaurants, offices, hospitals, schools, colleges, etc. However, having fire extinguishers and knowing how to use them is not enough, and their correct installation and maintenance are essential.

 

The review and maintenance of fire extinguishers are vital, so it is advisable to contact fire extinguisher maintenance and installation companies that allow them to maintain their correct operation, and the authority authorizes that.

 

Statistics show that more than 30% of the portable fire extinguishers and ceiling mounted fire extinguisher in use don't work properly when used. And this can lead to serious issues or even fail you when you need the fire extinguishers the most. This is why your fire extinguishers need to be maintained, and if necessary, they have to be serviced. There are many other reasons why it needs to be serviced, and we will discuss them in this article. 

 

Some reasons why you need to service the fire extinguishers regularly are

 

To check if there are any potential damages to the cylinder. In most cases, the fire extinguisher cylinders will be good shape, and the damage might occur on the inside of the cylinder. And this might weaken the integrity of the cylinder over time. 

 

Hose blockage: The O-ring on the hose can deteriorate over time and might compromise on the working. Also, if the hose is clogged, it might hinder the working of the equipment.

 

Pressure gauge: The pressure meter must be centered in the green zone in the pressure gauge when it is being used. And the meter will drop after some time, whether it is used or unused. This can be checked during the inspection.

 

Leaks: Chances are there for subtle leaks occurrence in your fire extinguishers. And mostly these leaks are quite hard to detect in a fire extinguisher, and potential leaks can make the equipment useless. The fire safety professional will find it out during an inspection. 

 

Recharging the fire extinguishers: It is also necessary to check the recharge fire extinguishers during routine inspections. They may involve the expulsion of the agent in charge of verifying the proper performance of the safety mechanisms. Any necessary repairs should be done immediately, and the recharged extinguisher should be ready for use.

 

You will need to recharge your fire extinguishers during your annual maintenance program (or more frequently if possible).  

 

Do you know if you need a fire extinguisher refill?

 

One of the easy ways to find out if you need to recharge your extinguisher is by conducting regular equipment inspections. The first thing to do is look at the pressure gauge and make sure it is green. When you are examining fire extinguishers, pay close attention to their weight. If one of your fire extinguishers feels lighter than it should be, it needs to be recharged immediately. Last and most importantly, always check the expiration date of the extinguisher.

 

How often do the fire extinguishers need to be serviced?

 

The extinguishers have a lifespan of 20 years, as long as you follow your reviews and regulations are followed for maintenance. Every 5 years from its date of manufacture, it must be "re-stamped" by technical experts.

 

It is also necessary to carry out quarterly operations. They can be carried out by the installation's personnel or by "internal maintenance" of the firefighting infrastructures.

 

Most inspection operations are straightforward; many are visual checks, while others require certain maintenance work habits.

 

Annually, the authorized maintenance company has to carry out a series of checks using a "check list," which will become part of the corresponding revision certificate.

 

 

Wrapping up

 

As mentioned in this article, installing a fire extinguisher is only half the job. Maintaining it regularly is very important. So this article talks about the importance of inspecting your fire extinguishers and highlights why it has to be done. Thanks for scrolling through the article. Cheers!