The inspection of the fire extinguisher is as important as installing it. Wherever the fire extinguishers are installed, the inspection task should be assigned on the monthly basis. This is a critical task as the extinguisher is expected to work in an emergency and should work on the go. The fire extinguisher’s inspection is a critical activity that you need to carry out for sure.
- So let us see how to test a fire extinguisher.
How to test a fire extinguisher:
Step 1:
First of all, it should be assured that the extinguisher is visible and it is at its place.
Step 2:
You have to make sure that the seal is broken or tampered with. Do check out the extinguisher if it is leaked or not. Make sure that the extinguisher is not damaged physically or corroded.
Step 3:
Test up the pressure gauge and check that the indicator is inoperable or not. Check the weight of the extinguisher by lifting it to make sure whether it is still full or not.
Step 4:
You must make sure that the operating instructions are clear, visible, and outward on the nameplate.
Step 5:
Test it up practically in an open place to confirm whether the extinguisher is working normally or not.
How do you inspect a fire extinguisher?
Well, it is quite simple to inspect a fire extinguisher on a monthly basis with just a few steps. So let us have a look at how we inspect it.
Step 1:
You must make sure that the extinguisher still has a valid maintenance tag on it. This tag or record ensures that the extinguisher is inspected or not. You can verify that the extinguisher was inspected on a monthly basis or not.
Step 2:
Then you can inspect the gauge that the needle is pointing to the green area. This is the thing that ensures that the extinguisher is ready to use and fully charged. On the left side, it is hard to read while on the right side of the gauge it is much easier. If you see that the yellow arrow is in the green, then the extinguisher is good to use. Although if not, the extinguisher needs to be replaced or refilled.
Step 3:
Then check for the safety pin whether it is in place or not. Some extinguishers tend to have plastic security tags that keep the pin intact and safe. Although if there is no security tag, you can use a zip tie to make sure that the pin does not fall.
Step 4:
Moreover, it is not always charged when it comes to the needle in the green. You should lift the extinguisher to make sure that the extinguisher is filled with the agent. You may move the cylinder if you are not feeling the agent inside.
Step 5:
You may also look for the dents and damage on the cylinder. Make sure that the extinguisher is not punctured, corroded, or physically damaged.
How to know if my fire extinguisher is still good?
There is a simple way to check if the fire extinguisher is still good or not. The fire extinguishers come up with a pressure gauge used to indicate the internal pressure level. When the pressure is low and the needle is out of the green area, you should know that this is the time to replace the fire extinguisher.
Moreover, you can check for the inspection tag on it which will let you know about the service history of the extinguisher.
Do fire extinguishers have an expiration date?
Well, there is no specific date on fire extinguishers for the expiry. The whole life of a fire extinguisher depends on how well it is inspected and maintained over time. What’s more important to know is the manufacturing date of the fire extinguisher.
How often do fire extinguishers need to be hydro tested?
Well, it is recommended that the fire extinguishers should be hydro tested after every 5 years. The stamped tag on the cylinder shoulder shows when the cylinder was tested. This is a test that ensures that the cylinder can hold the agent with the maximum pressure. So mostly cylinders are required to be tested after every 5 years.
How to tell if a fire extinguisher is dry?
Such extinguishers are labeled as “DC”. The “DC” indicates “dry chem”. These extinguishers have dry chemicals and they have various types as well. They are labeled differently. They are labeled as “DC” “ABC” and “BC”. They are labeled so as they extinguish fires of respective classes (Fire is categorized into classes A, B, and C).
How do you test a fire extinguisher without a pressure gauge?
The fact is that the CO2 fire extinguishers cannot be tested with the pressure so they are weighted. By measuring the weight, this can be assured that there is a good amount of CO2 present or when to fill. It is recommended that you should check your fire extinguisher every year and get them serviced every five years.
Final thoughts:
The Fire extinguishers need maintenance and service as any other gadget and tool. The fire extinguisher is expected to be used in emergencies and accidents, so it must work smoothly on the go. The extinguisher inspection is a critical activity to carry out which can make things certain and smooth. Maintain and inspect fire extinguishers on a monthly basis and get them replaced every year if needed.
If you are looking for quality fire fighting equipment maintenance services in Pakistan then Capital Solutions come on top. They have a team of highly skilled industrial engineers and fire extinguisher technicians to provide you all type of services in affordable rates. Call Us at: 051-4446640 for more details.