5 Reasons Your Fire Extinguisher Could Fail During an Emergency
It’s not enough to simply have a fire extinguisher on the wall. When a fire emergency occurs, knowing your fire extinguisher works properly can save time, property, and precious lives.
That’s why regular fire extinguisher inspections are so critical. Fire extinguishers should be inspected at least monthly. Annually, a certified Silco technician should perform a thorough inspection to make sure your extinguishers are ready to use and can effectively extinguish fires.
Since October is National Fire Prevention Month, now’s a great time to make sure your business’s fire extinguishers are up to code and ready when needed.
Read on for five reasons a fire extinguisher could fail during an emergency and tips to make sure yours doesn’t:
#1: Damaged Fire Extinguisher
Whether it’s been mishandled during a move, corroded or rusted over time, or compromised in critical areas, a damaged fire extinguisher is unreliable and may not hold up in an emergency.
How to avoid: Perform a thorough visual inspection for nicks, dings, and dents in the extinguisher. Be prepared to replace damaged units.
#2: Blocked or Disconnected Components
When the time comes, nothing should stand in the way of putting out a fire. However, even if everything else on your fire extinguisher checks out, a blocked or disconnected hose or nozzle can keep your extinguisher from working properly.
How to avoid: Check that hoses and nozzles are free from debris, clogs, rips, and cracks. Replace if needed.
#3: Leaking Material
If your fire extinguisher has lost pressure, it may be an indication of a slow leak.
How to avoid: To monitor a fire extinguisher’s pressure, take a look at the pressure gauge on the unit. If the needle is pointing toward the green zone, that’s an indicator that it’s good to go.
#4: Illegible Label
While a fire extinguisher’s label may not seem as important as the other components, it plays an equally critical role in making sure it’s ready to go when it counts the most.
Labels provide instructions for how to use the extinguisher, a log of maintenance history, and the extinguisher’s expiration date. They also identify what kind of extinguisher the unit is and what type of fire it should be used on.
How to avoid: Inspect the label to make sure it’s in good shape and replace it if it’s worn, faded, or damaged.
#5: Uncharged Fire Extinguisher
While you don’t need to buy a new fire extinguisher every year, you should be sure that it has been properly recharged, especially if it has been used.
Forgetting this maintenance item could cause your extinguisher to not respond properly in an emergency.
How to avoid: Call Silco for recharge and refill services.
Be Proactive: Fire Extinguisher Compliance You Can Count On
Don’t let safety go up in smoke. Conducting regular fire extinguisher inspections could save your business, but more importantly, it could save lives.
To make sure your extinguishers are up to code, Silco can track when your extinguishers are due for service. From there, our certified technicians perform comprehensive fire extinguisher inspections in accordance with NFPA 10.
While most companies hope they’ll never need to use a fire extinguisher, the reality is that fire emergencies can and do happen. With Silco by your side, you’ll have complete confidence that your fire extinguishers will be ready when it matters most. We also provide comprehensive live fire training and help you develop a fire protection plan to keep you and your employees safe.
Stay prepared. Stay protected. Schedule your next fire extinguisher inspection with Silco today.
