How to conduct monthly fire extinguisher inspections?

Fire extinguishers are fire safety devices that prevent fire accidents. However, these devices need regular inspections and maintenance services to stay in good working conditions and work efficiently in case of an emergency. Therefore, residential and commercial property owners must hire professional fire extinguisher services to conduct fire extinguisher inspections every 6 months. However, a monthly fire extinguisher inspection is not mandatory to be performed by a licensed expert. The monthly fire extinguisher visual inspection can be done by the business owner or the business manager.  Fire extinguisher maintenance services should be contacted if you find anything suspicious during the visual inspection.

How to do a monthly visual fire extinguisher inspection?

The monthly inspection is simply a quick visual inspection that does not require any special tools for assessment. In some cases, depending on the nature of the business, licensed experts may be required to conduct the monthly fire extinguisher inspection. However, in most cases, the owners need to know the OSHA regulations to perform a monthly fire extinguisher inspection by themselves. In addition, the owners need to keep a record of every monthly examination conducted by them. 

Here is how to perform a monthly fire extinguisher inspection:

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1. Ensure accessibility: while conducting the fire extinguisher visual inspection, it is important to inspect that the fire extinguishers should be easily accessible by everyone.  Fire extinguishers should not be located in an inaccessible or difficult to access place. It should not be hidden behind any object that might make it difficult to access during an emergency.

 

2.            Physical inspection:  The owner or manager should conduct a close visual inspection of the fire extinguisher’s physical condition, as follows:

·         Make sure there is no dent or physical damage on the extinguisher.

·         It is best to check that proper instructions on use and safety should appear on the extinguisher’s label.

·         Make sure there is no oil, liquid leak or rust, et cetera on the cylinder. 

·         Make sure there’s no loose hose, missing lock pin, or damaged nozzles on the cylinder.

·         Make sure the extinguisher is properly sealed. 

If you find any damages or suspicious issues, make sure to take appropriate action or contact the ffire extinguisher services for maintenance or repair.

 

3.            Check the pressure Gauge: Make sure that the extension is charged up to the required level by checking the pressure gauge. The extinguisher has a physical indicator to show the level of liquid inside. Ensure it is in the green zone, which indicates it is filled up to the required level. If the needle is in the left red zone, it means it needs to be recharged. However, if the needle is in the right red zone, it might be over-pressurized. It indicates a risk of leakage or explosion danger. In that case, immediately contact fire extinguisher services for inspection.

 

4.            Check the inspection Tag: Make sure to check the inspection tag during the monthly inspection of fire extinguishers. The inspection tag will indicate when it last received a professional maintenance inspection. If it has been over six months since the last inspection by a licensed professional, it is recommended to book a routine mandatory inspection from a fire extinguisher company.

 

5.            Keep an inspection record: It is recommended to record a summary of all observations during the visual inspection with your name, date, and location details. 

Need Assistance?

In case you need a professional to conduct monthly inspections for proper fire extinguisher maintenance, feel free to contact our licensed experts for assistance. Call us at (718) 499-4881 to book a fire extinguisher inspection today!