Fire Extinguisher Inspections Vital for Tulsa and OKC Companies

You may see them at home or at work and not notice them. You may walk by them every day in the hall and not even notice them, but they could save your life. What are they? Fire extinguishers. These fire suppression systems may often go unnoticed until they are needed in an emergency. But, for fire extinguishers to be effective when they're needed, regular fire extinguisher inspections are vital for your Tulsa or OKC business. How regularly should they be inspected, and what do you need look for in an inspection?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) notes that a “quick check” inspection of portable fire extinguishers should be done once every 30 days and can be conducted by the owner or his designated agent. For this monthly fire extinguisher inspection, you should make sure:

It’s in place and clearly visible. The fire extinguisher should be in its designated location, and there shouldn’t be any objects blocking easy  access to the extinguisher. It should be easily visible and readily accessible in a fire. Often business owners hang decals pointing to the extinguisher to quickly alert occupants of the fire extinguisher’s location in a fire.

The operating instructions can clearly be read. Check to make sure the operating instructions located on the nameplate are legible and are facing outward, the NFPA said.

Pull pins and safety seals are undamaged. There are safety seals and tamper indicators to ensure the extinguisher has not been tampered with or used. The pull pin should remain inserted in the handle. Make sure these seals are not broken or missing. If they are damaged or missing, have the fire extinguisher checked by a fire suppression equipment professional.

The fire extinguisher has the right amount of pressure. Check to see that the pressure gauge is in the operable range, often designated by the needle being in the green-colored pressure range.

There is no physical damage. Check the fire extinguisher for signs of any physical damage like corrosion, leakage, a clogged nozzle, as well as tears or cracks in the hoses or nozzles. If you notice the extinguisher has been damaged or dented, it is best to replace it.

The extinguisher is full. Make sure the extinguisher is still filled by “hefting” or weighting the extinguisher, the NFPA noted. A dry chemical extinguisher should be gently shaken, contingent on the specific manufacturer’s instructions, to avoid the powder from packing.

To document inspections. The date of the monthly inspection and the initials of the person who did the inspection should be documented on a label or tag attached to the fire extinguisher.

A detailed annual inspection and maintenance of all fire extinguishers in your OKC or Tulsa business should be conducted by a certified fire suppression professional. Different types of extinguishers may require different maintenance intervals including semi-annual, 6-year, or 12-year maintenance. Check with your manufacturer’s manual or your OKC or Tulsa fire safety company for exact maintenance requirements.

Mac Systems, Inc. has a team of NICET certified and factory trained professional inspectors who can effectively service your fire extinguishers as well as other fire suppression equipment.