Fire extinguishers are one of the most valuable primary barriers in protecting your business against the impacts of fire. It is important that your fire extinguishers are always prepared for use, which means inspection, maintenance, and recharging.
This guide will help Albuquerque business owners to understand the NFPA guidelines on fire extinguisher maintenance, inspection and recharging. Maintenance of fire extinguishers is very important as it determines the difference between a small accident and a catastrophe.
Importance of Fire Extinguishers in Albuquerque Businesses
For Albuquerque businesses, one of the best methods of preventing small fires from turning into big ones is to have fire extinguishers within easy reach. However, fire extinguishers have to be charged or pressurized fully to work as intended when there is an emergency.
However, it is possible that many business owners may be in a position to know when and how to get the fire extinguishers inspected or recharged. The tasks involved in fire extinguisher maintenance are well defined in the NFPA 10, the Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.
NFPA 10: Scheduled Maintenance and Inspection
NFPA 10 sets time frames for the routine checks of portable fire extinguishers so that they work effectively at the time of fire. The most important tasks concerning fire extinguisher maintenance include visual inspections, recharging of the fire extinguisher after it has been used, and hydrostatic tests.
By adhering to these guidelines, it will be possible to guarantee sufficient protection for your business through fire extinguishers.
Why Regular Fire Extinguisher Maintenance is Necessary
Like any other vehicle that needs to be checked up from time to time, fire extinguishers also need some form of attention. It is a regular practice to check the extinguishing agents to ensure that they are serviceable and every part of the extinguisher is functional.
Such tasks include changing the extinguishing agents which may deplete with time or upon usage and the process of dismantling the extinguishers to check each component.
Fire Extinguisher Inspection Schedule
Albuquerque business owners should have a proper schedule for checking on their fire extinguishers. Periodic checks ensure that every extinguisher has an adequate agent to firefight during an emergency. Here are the key instances when fire extinguishers should be inspected and recharged:
- The fire extinguisher has come to the required interval of hydrostatic testing or internal inspection according to NFPA 10.
- The extinguisher has been in use, either in fighting a fire or through an accident that saw the extinguisher release its contents.
When to Recharge a Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers have to be recharged as soon as they have been used, no matter how little of the contents has been employed. If the extinguisher was used in a fire, fired accidentally, or even tampered with, it has to be recharged so that it can be used again. NFPA 10 requires that a fire extinguisher should be recharged after usage, inspection or if there is any pressure or condition problem.
Monthly Visual Inspections
Besides, fire extinguishers in Albuquerque businesses need to be recharged after usage and also be subjected to a visual examination every month in compliance with NFPA 10. These visual checkups are useful in identifying any problem, for example, a pressure reduction or any visible sign of damage, and a correction is made. For instance, in a warehouse or a business that is located in a high-risk area, the inspections may have to be conducted more often.
Understanding Fire Extinguisher Pressure
In an inspection, one of the most important things to look for or to ensure is the pressure gauge. The needle should be in the green area, which means that the extinguisher is charged to the manufacturer recommended pressure. If the needle falls outside the green zone, it means that the extinguisher has to be recharged.
Annual Maintenance Requirements
Besides the monthly checks, NFPA regulations also recommend annual service of all fire extinguishers. This involves a more in-depth check, which includes:
- Checking the surface of the unit for any signs of rust, crack, or any blockage in the nozzle of the unit.
- Twist to release the pin and remove the tamper seal to check if the product is functioning correctly before resealing the tamper seal.
Hydrostatic Testing and Internal Inspection
NFPA 10 also provides frequencies for hydrostatic testing and internal inspection of a fire extinguisher depending on the type and the storage condition. Hydrostatic testing entails putting pressure on the extinguisher and the process checks the soundness of the extinguisher.
Internal inspections, however, refer to a process where the unit is taken to pieces and then examined, cleaned, and reassembled. These tests are carried out at different intervals; for example, some of the extinguishers may require internal inspections every six years while others require the same after every twelve years.
Common Types of Fire Extinguishers
Albuquerque businesses are most likely to have the ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers on their premises. These extinguishers need recharging and internal examination six years from the date of manufacture and hydrostatic testing twelve years from the date of manufacture.
Choosing Between Rechargeable and Disposable Fire Extinguishers
When choosing fire extinguishers for your Albuquerque business, there will be a need to choose between rechargeable and disposable fire extinguishers. It is important to note that each of the options has its own strengths and weaknesses. Rechargeable fire extinguishers are normally more costly at first but can be refilled and reused once they have been used, while disposable fire extinguishers have to be replaced in their entirety after a single use. These are ideal for small areas or areas of low fire risk as compared to other types of heaters.
Rechargeable fire extinguishers, on the other hand, are more costly at first but they can be refilled and used time and again, thus, are more economical in the long run. Rechargeable units are also made of sturdier materials, and are more likely to be longer lasting and more dependable. But, they need constant charging and replacement after every use, which is an added expense in the long run.
It is up to a business owner to decide whether to use disposable or rechargeable fire extinguishers based on the size of the facility and the long-term safety plan. Large places like warehouses and commercial kitchens may require rechargeable units due to their high risk, while small businesses with less risk of fire may consider using disposable ones.
Albuquerque Fire Extinguisher Recharging Services
If your business’s fire extinguishers need to be recharged, it is important that you hire the services of a fire extinguisher service company. Recharging and maintenance service of Brazas Fire is also available in Albuquerque.
Their trained technicians can either recharge your fire extinguishers on your premises or pick the fire extinguishers and recharge them in their shop, besides fixing any defects that might be present. After that, the extinguishers will be brought back to your business and restocked to their original positions.
When to Replace Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be replaced after a certain time, depending on their type, usage, and frequency of use.
Some of the fire extinguishers cannot be recharged. Some are used once and have to be discarded and replaced after the use of the product or service. These are normally cheaper than the rechargeable ones but cannot be refilled once they are emptied. Rechargeable extinguishers should be replaced when they show signs of wear or damage, such as:
- The shell is scratched, chipped, or otherwise damaged.
- The discharge hose is blocked, or it has some problem.
- The handle is either loose or the handle is completely missing from the knife.
- It fluctuates, and the canister loses pressure again and again.
In these cases, it is cheaper to replace the extinguisher than to recharge it, especially if the unit is small.
NFPA Guidelines for Business Safety
NFPA 10 gives businesses an easy reference to enable them to avoid some pitfalls that may be encountered while maintaining fire extinguishers and, at the same time, ensure that the fire extinguishers are in good condition for use at any given time.
Therefore, by adhering to these guidelines, Albuquerque business owners can be assured that they are doing enough to prevent fire outbreaks on their properties and to their employees.
Conclusion
Fire extinguishers are one of the most important safety devices for any business, but they are only useful if they are properly maintained, inspected, and recharged when needed. Albuquerque business owners should adhere to the guidelines of NFPA 10 in order to make sure that their fire extinguishers are functional and prepared to safeguard their business in the event of a fire.
From refilling the extinguishers after usage to replacing the worn out ones, it is very important to ensure that fire extinguishers are well maintained.
If you are a businessman in Albuquerque who requires professional services in fire extinguisher recharging, then Brazas Fire is the ideal company to approach in order to have your business protected from fire throughout the year. Contact Brazas Fire for checking, servicing, and re-filling of fire extinguishers to ensure they are always prepared for use.