Inspect and Maintain Your Fire Extinguisher

Working Fire Extinguishers

This page will fill in details on fire extinguishers: how to make sure a home unit is in working order and how to maintain it.

We need to stress, again, that an extinguisher’s primary role in your home is to allow you time to get yourself and your family out of danger. That’s why the fire department needs to be called before the pin on the home unit is pulled, why you need to know when the extinguisher has done all it can do and it’s time for you to leave. Small home extinguishers contain less than a minutes worth of suppressant material. If the fire is not under control soon after that initial sweep at the base of the flames, leave the area and wait for fire fighters.

• Once an extinguisher has been used, you need to either replace it or have it recharged. Most home units are designed to be recharged and re-used, some are not. Make sure you know which one you have in your home. Even if the pressure gauge indicates the unit has enough pressurized gas for another use, don’t believe it. Generally, the gauge does not accurately indicate the pressure immediately after use. It takes a little bit of time to get an accurate reading. If you don’t believe this, be sure and re-check the gauge a day after the fire. BC or ABC extinguishers must be serviced and recharged after every use.
• Don’t bring your new extinguisher home and test to see how it works. Most home units have enough suppressant for one use. Read the instructions, familiarize yourself with the parts — the nozzle, pin and lever — then put it on its bracket, intact.
• If your home extinguisher has dents or gouges in the cylinder, replace it.
• If you are not sure of the age or condition of your home unit, check with your local fire department. Either they can check the extinguisher out or refer you to a local business that can.
• Extinguishers found in your workplace or public areas are inspected by the local fire department on a regular basis. Familiarize yourself with the type and operation of the models where you work.

Tagged as: fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance