Monthly fire extinguisher inspections: Everything you need to know!

Fire extinguishers are extremely important in every commercial as well as some residential buildings. Due to their small size, most people live with the misconception that they can’t provide fire protection, especially in NYC where rescue operations are quite difficult. But this is not true. In fact, fire extinguishers are the first line of defense to put out small fires in any residential and commercial buildings. As a result, they prevent fires from spreading throughout the building and eventually save you a lot of money. However, like any other system, fire extinguishers also have a limited lifespan and require regular maintenance and inspection to work properly. 

There are quite a number of people who think that fire extinguishers need to be inspected quarterly or annually by professionals for maintenance and refilling. But to ensure your fire extinguishers remain in working condition at all times, you need to consider monthly fire extinguisher inspections. However, hiring a professional isn’t necessary for monthly fire extinguisher service inspection. It can be done by a building manager or owner.  

Here are a few simple steps that involve a monthly fire extinguisher service! 

Check the gauge - Please keep in mind, checking the gauge doesn’t replace the annual charge test conducted by a professional. During monthly inspection, you need to check whether your gauge is visible or not. Dropped gauge usually indicates a low charge in your extinguisher, which could result from any leakage. 

Inspect the tank and nozzle - Apart from checking the gauge, you should also inspect the tank nozzle during monthly inspections. You should look for any signs of corrosion or leaks around the nozzle, as damaged nozzles can break during a fire emergency, leaving the extinguisher useless. On the other hand, when inspecting the tank, you need to make sure it is free from any dust, grease or debris. 

Shake it - If your building has dry chemical extinguishers, then you may require to shake them once a month. This will ensure the powder inside is fluffy and ready to dispense. Lack of monthly shaking usually causes the powder to settle down, which may fail to dispense during an emergency. 

Besides this, you also need to look for tamper seals and the expiring date when performing a monthly inspection on your fire extinguishers. No tamper seal means the extinguisher has been already used, which needs to be refilled immediately. 

5 Reasons why it is important to get your fire systems inspected regularly

Over the past few years, the death rate by fire accidents has been constantly increasing in the United States and around the world. Therefore, apart from installing fire protection systems in your building, you also need to make sure they are up-to-date and in working order.

 

 A regularly maintained and inspected fire protection systems means they can protect your property and lives in the event of fire breakdown. However, there are quite a number of property owners both residential and commercial who are still confused about whether they should get their fire systems in the Bronx inspected or not.

Are you one of them? If so, below we have given five reasons why it is crucial to get fire protection systems inspected regularly.

#1. It’s mandated by the law - It is mandated by NFPA standards, local fire codes, and insurance companies to regularly perform inspections on fire protection systems. Hence, by following fire safety codes and regulations, you can prevent yourself from heavy fines.

#2. Fix problems - Regular fire protection systems inspection can help you discover problems that may be difficult for you to find. Hence, you can get the problems repaired and have peace of mind by knowing that your fire protection systems are in good working conditions.

#3. Save you money in the long run - For example, if you have a fire protection system that is not in good working condition, it will not protect your building during a fire emergency and will cost you expensive repairs. On the other hand, if your system is regularly maintained and inspected, you can prevent costly damage by fire.

#4. Prevent damage - If your fire protection system is not inspected on a regular basis, the chances are more than some detects may go unnoticed, which can cause bigger problems in your building. For instance, a corroded water pipe in your fire sprinkler system can burst and floor your business if left untreated.

#5. It is a moral duty of every business owner - If you own a commercial building, it is your moral duty to keep your property and people using it safely in the event of a fire emergency. This means if your fire protection systems are not inspected, your putting the lives of your employees, customers, and clients at risk.

If you want to keep your property and the lives of people safe, make sure your fire protection systems in Manhattan are regularly maintained and inspected.