How many times have you casually strolled past a fire extinguisher that was
mounted on a wall or tucked away in a corner? Have you ever wondered what you
would do with that extinguisher in the case of a small yet deadly fire? Do you
even know if it is in good working condition? When it comes to suppressing small
workplace fires and avoiding catastrophe, fire extinguishers are really one-of-a-
kind. At first sight, they may not seem like much but a fully-charged fire
extinguisher can make all the difference between saving lives or devastating
losses. However, it must be noted that fire extinguishers can only come in handy
when they have been frequently serviced. Here are five reasons why you should
always ensure the proper maintenance of fire extinguishers.
- Rigorous inspection of fire extinguishers
All types of fire extinguishers need to undergo monthly or annual inspections by
trained experts. While carrying out the inspection process, technicians need to
look for valid maintenance tags, whether the tamper seal is intact, whether the
nameplate is visible and so on. - Getting rid of corrosion
Since extinguishers are fabricated from either steel or aluminum, they are bound
to undergo corrosion which may hamper the internal pressure. Servicing a fire
extinguisher service includes the thorough evaluation of the internal and external
condition of the fire safety device. - Preventing tampering of fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers usually exist in public spaces as they need to be accessible to
everyone. This carries an inadvertent disadvantage since more people are likely to
tamper with the device. A broken head cap seal or locking pin, leaky cylinders,
loose hoses, etc., are all signs that the extinguisher has been meddled with. - Making sure hoses are free from blockages
A fire extinguisher with a blocked hose is as good as no fire extinguisher at all.
This particular component of the extinguisher is crucial in discharging the fire-
suppression liquids or foam. But it is not unusual for these hoses to get blocked
by debris or insects. Qualified engineers must be called in to replace these hoses
as well as the connector O-rings.
- Recharging cylinders with proper contents
The most common problem encountered with regards to fire extinguishers is a
leakage. Every one of these devices carries a label that display’s the weight of the
extinguisher. In such cases, engineers must first investigate the cause of the
leakage and take further action to ensure that the device is restored to its usual
working condition.
Apart from these basic issues, fire extinguishers undergo a host of problems that
need to be addressed as soon as possible. With the next fire incident waiting
around the corner, maintaining and servicing these fire safety devices must be
the topmost priority for any business owner or landlord.
One of the best reasons to get your fire extinguishers inspected is that it costs
next to nothing. With the affordable prices offered by SRJ Piping India, you will
never regret going the extra mile and getting your fire systems serviced from the
most proficient experts in the city.