Fire extinguishers are an important safety feature in every business. While there’s a good chance that the extinguisher will sit on the wall for years collecting dust, knowing about different types of extinguishers as well as how and when to use one may enable you to save your property and even your life.
To achieve true safety for your facility, you need to ensure that you have the proper extinguisher installed relevant to the potential fire hazards of your building. When deciding which type of fire extinguisher is the best for your needs, it’s important to know about all of the different types and their intended purposes. See chart below to learn more…
Now that you are informed and have an idea of the type of extinguisher your facility needs, remember all fire equipment including fire extinguishers must be inspected and maintained regularly. Inspections and Maintenance are crucial throughout the life of an extinguisher. Without it, your extinguisher might not be ready when you need it to save your life, and others. Portable fire extinguishers should be inspected by a trained professional once a year with a visual inspection conducted monthly.
Here are some tips to perform a monthly visual check:
Ensure gauge is in the green
No visual dings, dents, or abrasions
Check weight and flip extinguisher
Confirm last inspection was completed
During monthly inspections also check the surrounding area to ensure the fire extinguisher remains easily accessible in the event of an emergency.