Business owners already know that they are required by law to have fire extinguishers in their buildings.
However, few people know enough of the facts about fire extinguishers that help ensure their facility is in compliance and that their property and employees remain as safe as possible. So below, we’re going to talk about how fire extinguishers are vital and what you should know about them as a business owner.
The Basics of Fire Extinguishers
The presence of new fire extinguishers is critical to help protect your building and employees if a fire should break out.
If placed and maintained correctly, extinguishers can put out or slow down the spread of a fire, buying people inside more time to escape and reducing property damage. They’re a legal requirement, too, and they must be properly installed, or you can be penalized.
What Can Happen if You Don’t Have All the Facts
If you don’t take measures to place and maintain fire extinguishers, several things could result.
You could first be hit with a fine if you’re in violation of the requirements established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).
Second, you might be inadvertently increasing risks for your employees and your property. If you do not have the appropriate, operational fire extinguishers in your building, it means a fire, should one occur, spreads much faster, putting everyone in your building at risk and possibly resulting in a complete loss of property.
Things You Need to Know
There is some important information for you as a business owner to know about fire extinguishers.
1 – You Must Have the Right Type of Extinguishers
There are different types of fire extinguishers depending on what kind of fire the extinguisher is designed to put out. Depending on your business and how your building is set up will determine whether you need ABC, CO2, or Class-K extinguishers in your building. If you need assistance in determining which type you need or if you need to purchase new extinguishers or have your existing extinguishers inspected, contact one of our highly trained professionals.
2 – They Need to Be Inspected Regularly
You or an employee should visually inspect your extinguishers every month and log what you find. Furthermore, a professional inspection is needed once a year by a professional.
3 – They Expire and Require Recharging
Fire extinguishers do not last indefinitely. Even if your monthly inspections do not reveal damage or malfunctioning parts, you’ve got to get your equipment changed out on a regular basis. They might even need to be recharged to make sure they’ll work if you need them to put a fire out.
4 – Your Building Has Placement Requirements
If they aren’t properly positioned in your building’s layout, you can face fines or put yourself at risk of expensive property damage even if you have the proper extinguishers for your building. They should be readily accessible and in a strategic location for fire suppression efforts.
5 – You Need to Propose Replacement Extinguishers
Finally, fire extinguishers require appropriate disposal. You can often take them to your local fire department for disposal, or you can take them to a facility that handles chemical disposal.”
Ready to bring your building up to code for fire extinguishers?