Vents MagaZine Music and Entertainment Magazine
Related Articles
Being a responsible person, you install fire extinguishers at home to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. And like any other appliances at your home, your fire extinguishers also need timely upkeeps. Generally, the need for fire extinguishers arises once in a while. You don’t often use it and forget about its care and maintenance. But after continuous neglect, there might be a chance of complete failure of your fire extinguisher during a fire at home.
You need to keep your fire extinguisher performance-ready. So, here we are sharing some tips that will guide you, how you can maintain your fire extinguishers at home:
Ensures the accessibility
Your fire extinguisher should be placed where it has easy access. Put them in places where the chances of fire are higher, such as the kitchen, furnace room, fireplace, garage, etc. Ensure the other members of the house know the location of a fire extinguisher in case you are changing its location. Also, make sure they are properly visible so that anyone can use them in an emergency.
Check the pressure
Most of the time, fire extinguishers have a pressure gauge attached to them that indicates their proper operating range. If your fire extinguisher comes with a test indicator, press it to ensure the pressure reading is within the correct range. Incorrect pressure levels should be reported back to the fire extinguisher maintenance company for a thorough inspection. They will also do the Fire Extinguisher Recharge, if necessary.
Examine the damage
You should inspect all the visible signs of damage, look for dents or rust, and check that nozzles for hoses are in working order or not. Any damage and divots in the extinguisher mean that you need to replace it.
Do the seal inspection
It is necessary to check the seals from time to time. There may be a possibility of accidental tampering of the seal; for example, you accidentally drop it while going in a rush. Furthermore, broken seals will release poisonous gases or liquids, which not only will eventually render your fire extinguisher ineffective during a fire but will also be harmful to your family and pets.
Document the update
Usually, fire extinguishers come with a tag tied around their neck to note down the details; and if they don’t, you can attach an inspection tag. It is important to document the maintenance results on your tag, so you can easily know the last date of inspection you did.
Therefore, it is important to update all the details from time to time and maintain a proper list of everything.
Additional tips to know:
Learn the types of fire extinguishers and how to use them.
Clean the outer surfaces of your extinguishers if they are dusty or greasy.
Remember the expiration date of your extinguishers.
How to get rid of an expired fire extinguisher?
Every fire extinguisher comes with an expiry date. It may be stamped on the inspection tag or on the cylinder’s body. It is best to dispose of an expired fire extinguisher because it is no longer reliable to perform perfectly after its expiration date.
Moreover, there are also likely scenarios where you have to get rid of your extinguisher, like, broken or leaked seals, or the inner hardware is not operating, etc. It is crucial to discard the expired fire extinguisher with care because the cylinders are under pressure and are fully or partially charged. It is advisable to contact your nearby authorized waste disposal facility that deals with hazardous chemicals. Or, if you are unable to contact any legal authority, you can ask your local fire station for help.
Wrap up:
You often go to lengths to protect your family and your investment – as in your home. Fire extinguishers are supposed to keep your home safe but are often overlooked in the aspect of safety plans. Therefore, it is important to know how to use them and regularly check them to keep updated on their status.
Moreover, while it is wise to inspect your fire extinguisher yourself, it’s equally wise to ask for professional services to be extra safe, as these contain harmful and poisonous chemicals and liquids. A specialized fire extinguisher maintenance team can thoroughly inspect your fire extinguisher to ensure its proper working.
