Caught up in all that paperwork, the probability of human error increases, which means the risk of fire caused by a single non-functioning fire extinguisher also becomes higher. Rated 5 out of 5. Check the fire extinguisher cylinder for any dents, punctures, corrosion or any type of physical damage. Next we’re going to make sure that the extinguisher is full, and we’re going to check that by hefting it or weighing it. Protegis offers fire extinguisher services that keep your facility compliant, ensures the equipment is ready, improves insurance eligibility and protects people and property. Check if the locking pin goes through the holes of discharge lever and handle, and if the pin is secured well by the seal. If you’re going to do your own inspections, then there’s a couple of things that you’re going to have to have. Don’t worry if the … Check to make sure that it is still firmly in place and that the unit hasn’t sustained any damage since your last inspection. Contact us if you require any assistance with this form. confirm that access to extinguishers is not obstructed. Inspect if there are cracks in the hose or leak in the nozzle. Make sure the extinguisher is visible or that there is signage indicating where the extinguisher is located Make sure you can easily access the extinguisher Ensure the pressure gauge is in the operable range or position Make sure it is full, this can be done by just lifting the extinguisher or you can weigh it She usually writes a topic about risks, safety, and quality. Performing a Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspection, here are what you should do: Make sure that the fire extinguisher pressure gauge is in the green zone, i.e., it is charged and ready for use. © Impact Fire Services, LLC | All rights reserved, How to Perform a Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Fire Extinguishers, Why to Regularly Inspect Your Fire and Life Safety Systems. No matter which type of extinguisher you have, there are standard elements to check during your monthly inspections. A fire extinguisher inspection is conducted monthly to ensure that fire extinguishers are in good working condition. Protegis inspects fire extinguishers and performs routine service and maintenance that adhere to local, state and national codes, including six-year and twelve-year required services. The simple answer is, yes you are. With iAuditor by SafetyCulture, safety officers can improve fire safety in the workplace by accomplishing fire extinguisher inspections more efficiently. Once you have learned what to look out for, you should expect to safely complete your inspection in 3 minutes. Set a monthly reminder in your phone’s calendar for a Saturday morning to check in on them to ensure they’re working. Federal OSHA standard 1910.157(e)(2), requires a visual inspection of all portable extinguishers be performed at least monthly. Also, check if the cylinder and external metal components show any signs of wear or damage. Types of Fire Extinguishers and Their Uses Watch this video by our Vermont branch below to learn more! Once a year, hire a fire technician for a routine inspection to make sure your extinguisher is still in working order. Here are a few signs to look out for to gauge the lifespan of your fire extinguisher. The date is shown on the tag: 3) Make sure … a. Over 90% of fires in commercial properties are extinguished early on by members of the public using a fire extinguisher. Check to make sure the inspection tag is on the extinguisher and if you are in an office, the date on the tag shows that it was inspected professionally … That’s all there is to performing your own monthly fire extinguisher inspection. Identify if a fire extinguisher is present in the area and take note if it is easily visible. Visually inspect the hose and nozzle to ensure they are in good condition. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(2)] 2. [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1)] 3. Never miss a blog article. How to Perform a Fire Extinguisher Inspection in 3 Minutes, Top 5 Most Common Issues Identified During Inspections, Free Mobile App to Streamline Fire Extinguisher Inspections, Over 90% of fires in commercial properties, free 3-minute fire extinguisher inspection checklist, How to perform a fire extinguisher inspection in 3 minutes, Top 5 most common issues identified during inspections, Free mobile app and cloud software to streamline fire extinguisher inspections. Our technicians are leaders in fire protection testing services for businesses and we cover … Here’s a guide to the fire extinguisher inspection requirements, including when to check your fire extinguishers, and ensure that they’re in perfect working condition. Once done with the inspection, summarize observations/ action plan. Make sure to sign off on the fire extinguisher inspection tag (if available) with your name/signature and date of inspection. Dharmander Jakhar – November 22, 2020. Australian Standard AS-1851 applies to chemical fire extinguishers as well as other types of fire safety devices. Learn about the different types of fire extinguishers, how to use them, and how to maintain them. The easiest way is to look at the label on the fire extinguisher. Equipment needed: inspections tags, tamper seals, weight scale. Information regarding (COVID-19) - Click here. All we want to do is make sure that the extinguisher is full. Date of inspection: If you aren’t sure when you last had the fire extinguisher inspected, you should check the tag and verify the last date of inspection. One of those is the cartridge-operated extinguisher. We want to make sure that the indicator is not up and charged, we want to make sure that it is actually depressed. During fire extinguisher inspections, Jim’s Fire Safety team will check for cracks or imperfections in the cylinder lining, as well as any corrosion that might indicate the need for a replacement cylinder. Note if an inspection tag is available. Once a Month: Visual Checks. Fire Extinguisher Inspection is important to ensure that the extinguishers are active and ready for operation. Check the connection between the hose and cylinder is secure. Look for the fire extinguisher’s serial number, and check if the fire extinguisher label is readable. It is critical that a safety officer knows how to efficiently perform a fire extinguisher inspection, is aware of the most common issues identified during an inspection, and knows how to respond accordingly. And with a monthly fire extinguisher inspection log, you’ll get in the habit of verifying that your fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are in good working order. 3. The tag should indicate that a fire extinguisher is regularly inspected. Step by Step Approach. 29 CFR Part 1910. When you first buy an extinguisher, you should check the cylinder or nameplate for the manufacturer’s instructions and dates. 5. It also stipulates that mandatory annual inspections and periodic maintenance inspections be performed … We can do this by weighing the extinguisher and making sure that the weight is the same as the weight that was recorded on the tag. Fire extinguisher maintenance and monitoring is covered under the inspection and is conducted by external professionals or an organization’s own safety officers as part of an overall fire safety strategy. These chemical extinguishers are typically used for oil, grease, or electrical fires when a water based extinguisher would not help. Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist . Visual inspections are quick checks to ensure the extinguisher is fully charged and ready for use, and anyone can perform them. Examine for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle. There should be no furniture or other obstruction blocking the extinguisher from view or easy access. An OSHA Inspector who’s inspecting your fire extinguisher may look for compliance with any of the following general requirements for fire extinguishers: 1. If the button is up remove the unit from service. A needle in the left red zone means that the fire extinguisher is undercharged and warrants a recharge, while a needle in the right red zone signals a danger of being overcharged. 2. This is a … Once a month, you’ll need to inspect the fire extinguishers in your building, to ensure that everything is in good order. Remove the hose. Make sure that it is still there, that it can be easily seen and that it can be easily reached. This guide gives a quick rundown on the following: When performing a monthly fire extinguisher inspection, it is important to follow these 5 key steps. Stay in the know about all things fire protection and life safety. AS-1851 contains regulations that stipulate maintenance procedures, inspection processes and schedules for … Check the label to find out if your extinguisher needs more frequent inspections or maintenance. Fire Extinguisher Inspection. inside an unlocked glass cabinet or a wooden box) to prevent them from being moved. Portable fire extinguishers other than wheeled types must also be secured in a specific location (e.g. Lastly, you’re going to take the annual maintenance tag that the service provider provided, and you’re going to sign and date it. The very first thing we’re going to do is walk up to the extinguisher, and we’re looking to make sure that it has a valid maintenance tag on it. To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS: P ull the pin. The Best Video on How to Inspect a Fire Extinguisher. For example, you may see a fire extinguisher with an “A” rating. Sign up to receive our latest blog content to keep your business, employees, and assets safe. Fire extinguisher inspection: Pressure (Source, image used under license CC BY 2.0) The pressure is, thankfully, easier to inspect than how full your tanks are. Hi folks, David Morrison here at FireProTec in beautiful Colchester, Vermont. I hope this helped, and for more useful tips feel free to Like our page or visit our website. Check the physical state of the fire extinguisher. After each fire extinguisher visual inspection complete the fire extinguisher inspection form. Safety officers can inspect up to 100 fire extinguishers in a building per month, not to mention complete post-inspection reports for each. So that’s it. 1. Dharmendra … If the fire extinguisher has a gauge, it should be checked up on every month because it … Today we’re going to be talking to you about one of the most common questions that we receive, and that is, are we allowed to do our own monthly inspections on fire extinguishers? Firstly, walk up to the fire extinguisher to check its visibility and accessibility: Next, pick up the fire extinguisher to closely check for labeling, overall condition and physical defects: Examine where the gauge needle is. Never us… This will help you figure out how long your fire extinguisher should last with proper care. Something went wrong with your submission. No matter what type of fire protection equipment on your property, our team members have the knowledge and experience to make sure you’re always fire ready and compliant. There are a couple of different extinguishers that require a little bit more attention. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism. A safety officer’s job is to perform regular fire extinguisher inspections and maintain up to date records to keep buildings and tenants safe. If there any type of damage to the cylinder, the fire extinguisher should be replaced. Portable fire extinguishers should be inspected by a professional every year, and should receive a visual inspection on a monthly basis. It should not be blocked by any equipment or other objects that would make it difficult to be accessed during an emergency. Look for the serial number of the fire extinguisher and see if the label is readable. First, make sure the fire extinguisher is located in a visible and unobstructed location. 7. 4. Next, we’re looking for physical damage on that extinguisher to make sure that it wasn’t knocked off the wall by a forklift or something else, with a damaged hose or anything. For CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguisher, it does not have a pressure gauge since it is self expelling. In fact, we encourage you to learn how to inspect your extinguisher by following the steps below, and to contact Fire Prevention Services if you … Check to ensure there is adequate signage above the extinguisher to indicate its location: 2) Check the service date to determine it’s need for inspection or maintenance. This particular extinguisher is self-expelling, it’s going to pressurize itself, so it doesn’t have a gauge. check that a portable fire extinguisher is within 75-feet of travel on every floor. Ensure fire safety with an efficient fire extinguisher inspection using a mobile app. The pin locks the discharge lever and prevents accidental discharge. Hire a fire technician to inspect the extinguisher annually. Regular fire extinguisher maintenance is part of the legal requirements for premises owners and managers under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.. Check if the cylinder and other external metal parts are free of corrosion, dents, and other signs of damage. This proves that your monthly fire extinguisher inspections have been performed. When December’s fire extinguisher inspection has been completed the fire extinguisher inspection form must be sent to the Safety Director for retention. Departments must assign an individual to inspect monthly the extinguishers in or adjacent to the department's facilities. 2 reviews for Fire Extinguisher Inspection And Maintenance. Jona has been part of SafetyCulture for more than 2 years contributing her experience in writing quality and well-researched content. Sign up to receive one email per week. The other type of extinguisher is called a CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguisher. Also, there’s a little bit of responsibility in terms of liability, making sure that those inspections are accurate. Inspect the plunger and co2 cartridge. Look for the fire extinguisher’s serial number, and check if the fire extinguisher label is readable. Benefits of Fire Extinguisher Inspection and Maintenance; How would you determine that a portable fire extinguisher has been inspected and maintained properly? Fire technicians will be able to spot small signs of damage that untrained eyes might not notice. Whether it’s Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Fire Hose Testing, Fire Blanket Inspection and more, the expert team in fire safety are here for you. The second thing we’re going to do is make sure that the fire extinguisher is “in the green,” that it is … Your local fire safety technician will perform thorough inspection and testing procedures according to the current Australian standards. Inspect The Physical State Of The Extinguisher Pick up the extinguisher and closely check for things like labeling, physical defects, and overall condition. A needle within the green zone is good. You should also make sure that your entire staff has easy access to the extinguisher in the event of an emergency. 15. The next thing we’re going to do is make sure that the nameplate is visible and facing outwards. Mount, locate, and identify portable fire extinguishers so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury. Look to see if the indicator button is down. We are a recognised 6. That’s it! We also want to make sure that the extinguisher is not blocked or obscured from visibility. The next thing we want to do is make sure that the tamper seal is on the extinguisher, that it’s holding the pin in firmly, and that it hasn’t been damaged. How to Perform a Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspection from Robert Gauthier on Vimeo. The initial step of inspecting fire extinguisher is visual inspection. One common type of fire extinguisher is dry chemical. check for the presence of portable extinguishers, and determine that they are located in conspicuous and readily available locations immediately available for use, and not obstructed or obscured from view. Date the back: If no further action needs to be taken, you can date and … The Order states that: “The responsible person must ensure that the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and … With the following details, you’ll be prepared if the worst does happen. Check the connection between the hose and cylinder is secure. On every extinguisher there should be a pressure gauge that you can use during this stage of the inspection. Conclusion; Please read this guide for improving your skillset. Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Procedure: Frequency: Frequency for maintenance of Indian Fire Extinguishers and American Fire Extinguishers are as below: Quarterly For Indian Fire Extinguishers (Once in every 3 months) Annually … Most fire extinguishers have a tag … Read Fire Extinguisher Types and Maintenance for more information. Accessibility: visit each area where a fire extinguisher is or should be. As a fire protection company, one of the most common questions we get asked is, “Are businesses allowed to perform their own fire extinguisher inspection?” The simple answer is, yes. While it is important to know how to identify a proper-functioning fire extinguisher, it is equally important to be aware of the common issues that arise and how to respond: Click the sample fire extinguisher inspection report below which presents the findings, evidence, and recommended action plans in PDF. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER - ANNUAL INSPECTION / MAINTENANCE CERTIFICATION TRAINING. If it’s been a while since a professional looked at the unit, it may be beneficial for you to call in a professional technician and have them perform regular preventative maintenance. Very easy to understand and nice information. The purpose of Fire Extinguisher inspection and maintenance is to keep the fire extinguisher readily available at all times to handle fire emergencies. Additional Information If there are any issues identified with the fire … Check if the cylinder and other external metal parts are free of corrosion, dents, and other signs of damage. Protegis also offers 24/7 emergency fire … The expert will normally clean it up using a cloth to determine if any dent, rust or other damage present on the body of the equipment. Make sure the pressure gauge is placed at the green zone. Make sure you’re using only approved portable fire extinguishers. With iAuditor, you can: To get you started, download this free 3-minute fire extinguisher inspection checklist and customize it for your next inspection. Subpart “L” - Fire Protection Standard 1910.157 * Note – A sample of maintenance procedures and checks … Fire Extinguisher Inspection – Legal Obligation. The second thing we’re going to do is make sure that the fire extinguisher is “in the green,” that it is charged and ready for use. One of those things is a walk list of those fire extinguishers that indicates where those extinguishers are located and what type they are. Operating a fire extinguisher that is damaged or corroded can be extremely dangerous and possibly explode since the contents are under pressure. No obstruction to access or visibility. 8. It will tell you what type of fire (or fire class) the fire extinguisher can safely put out. Even a single malfunctioning fire extinguisher can put countless lives at risk. Often times, fire protection companies are hired out to do these inspections because of the lack of business interruption that they can provide you. • Ensure the extinguisher is visible, unobstructed, and in its designated location. Pick up the fire extinguisher and check for physical … perform efficient paperless fire extinguisher inspections on your mobile device; easily attach photo evidence to your reports; escalate issues you identify while performing the inspection by assigning, generate complete visual reports and share them instantly; and, save data to the cloud and keep your fire extinguisher inspection templates and reports safe. Here are the 13 steps to perform your own monthly fire extinguisher inspection: 1) Make sure the extinguisher is in its designated place, is visible, and is accessible for immediate use. Fire extinguisher overcharged or undercharged, Fire extinguisher not elevated from the floor. Inspect if there are cracks in the hose or leak in the nozzle. Some extinguishers can only put out one type of fire. Getting started is easy, simply fill in your email and raise the game with iAuditor. Once a month, make sure to inspect the general condition of your fire extinguisher. 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Been completed the fire extinguisher more useful tips feel free to Like page. Pressurize itself, so it doesn ’ t have a pressure gauge is placed the... Pin locks the discharge lever and prevents accidental discharge equipment needed: inspections tags, tamper seals weight. About all things fire Protection Association ( NFPA ) Part NFPA 10 * Occupational and! This type of extinguisher is fully charged and ready for use, anyone. Or easy access to the safety Director for retention the locking mechanism receive our blog.