Fire extinguishers can be your first defense against a fire in your business, so what can you do to improve a Fire Extinguisher Life Span. If the time comes when you need to use your fire extinguisher, you want to be confident that it is going to work properly and efficiently. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes that fire extinguishers require regular maintenance. If left in storage for too long, fire extinguishers will no longer work to their fullest potential. With this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about maintaining fire extinguishers so they will always be ready when you need them.
Fire Extinguisher Life Span – It may surprise you that fire extinguishers will not last forever. A fire extinguisher is no longer “good” when the chemicals within the extinguisher lose their charge, or when the pressure of the contents has fallen. The exact shelf life of every fire extinguisher varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and whether it is rechargeable or disposable. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, rechargeable fire extinguishers must be recharged every 6 years, whereas disposable extinguishers must be replaced every 12 years. You can tell the difference between the two by the head; a rechargeable extinguisher has a metal head with a gauge that reads Charge/Recharge, and a disposable extinguisher has a plastic head with a gauge that reads Full/Empty.
Determining if a Fire Extinguisher is still of use – There are a couple of things you can do every month to make sure that your fire extinguisher is fully functional. Most fire extinguishers come with a pressure gauge that indicates the pressure level of the internal contents. If the gauge needle falls too low (you can tell if it is outside the green zone on the gauge), you know it’s time to replace your extinguisher. Similarly, most devices also have an inspection tag or sticker that will list the maintenance and service history of the extinguisher. An extinguisher that has not been recently serviced should also be inspected and possibly replaced. If your extinguisher is missing either a pressure gauge or an inspection tag or sticker, it should be serviced and/or replaced as well, as it is nearly impossible to tell if it is still properly working. Finally, any signs of damage or loose pieces is another indication that your fire extinguisher is no longer good.
Fire Extinguisher Expiration Dates – Many fire extinguishers don’t have a specific date threshold that identifies when the device has expired. The life of a fire extinguisher can change depending on how well it has been maintained and cared for overtime. However, even the most cared for fire extinguishers will not last forever. It’s important to know when the extinguisher was built, as well as the manufacturer’s recommendation for replacement.
Identifying Expire Fire Extinguishers – Typically, if a fire extinguisher has been in a household or office for more than fifteen years, there’s a good chance that the device has “expired” and needs replacement. However, you might not be sure how old the device is or when you received it. One place to check is on the label or on the bottom of the extinguisher for the manufacture date. If the extinguisher has been manufactured within the last fifteen years, the next best clue to help you determine if the extinguisher is still operational is how recently it has been serviced and the level of wear and tear.
Fire Extinguisher Inspection and Service intervals – In short, maintenance inspections should be completed every year to ensure the fire extinguisher is operating properly and to enhance the Fire Extinguisher Life Span. Repair or replace any aspects of the extinguisher that have failed inspection. In addition to an annual inspection, it is also recommended that internal maintenance of a fire extinguisher occurs every five or six years, depending on the type. In this inspection, a technician ensures that all the contents of the extinguisher are properly pressurized and will discharge appropriately.
IMEC Technologies provides Safety Management Software to increase worker safety and aid compliance. IMEC’s Safety Management Software will manage inspections and audits, provides hazard identification, incident reporting, management of corrective and preventative actions from generation to closure. IMEC provides lock out tag out software solutions that will allow users to create lockout tagout procedures using an intuitive Mobile App and Manage Lockout Tagout Procedures, also the Review and Execution of those Lockout Tagout Procedures using the Mobile App. Annual Lockout Tagout Procedures audits are conducted using a Mobile App. The Mobile Inspection App allow users to perform inspections and audits, for example the system can be used as a Fire Extinguisher Barcode Inspection Software system to manage monthly fire extinguisher inspections and general fire safety inspections and also to record safety observations and manage corrective actions, anywhere and anytime. The solution can be used as a fire extinguisher barcode inspection software system or life safety inspection system to aid compliance in Higher Education, Healthcare, Industrial and Commercial Organizations. Benefits from a Fire Extinguisher Barcode System include the elimination of paperwork and reducing the burden of compliance with regulations such as NFPA, The Joint Commission. The Incident Reporting App allows users to easily and quickly report incidents, hazards and near-misses, these are then sent to the appropriate people for action and are managed to closure. Web Apps provide features such as, setup, management, scheduling tools, analysis, reporting and dashboards etc with the ability to report incidents to government bodies such as OSHA and RIDDOR. HazMat T&T is a hazardous waste management software solution designed for Environmental Service Companies and companies who generate a large quantity of hazardous waste. The solution tracks hazardous waste from cradle to grave aiding compliance, providing accurate waste inventory, increasing waste handling efficiency, reducing risk and also helps manage waste costs. HazMat T&T Hazardous Waste Management Software can be deployed in a number of deployment scenarios, from Large Hazardous Waste Generators, tracking their hazardous waste at their site to Environmental Service and Waste Management Companies using it track and manage hazardous waste at transfer and disposal sites. For more information visit our website www.imectechnologies.com