If a small fire breaks out on your dock or in your warehouse, your employees may be trained to put it out with the nearest fire extinguisher. But what happens if the extinguisher they use has passed its expiration date? Quite possibly it has lost its pressure. the end result is that instead of dousing the flames with a retardant, nothing comes out at all. In which cases a minor fire could turn into a major nightmare.
Creating a Fire Extinguisher Safety Log
If you lease your fire extinguishers, the vendor may ensure that they are always fully charged and up to date. But if you own your extinguishers, how can you be sure it will be ready when you need it? Keeping a fire extinguisher log is as simple as circling a date on a wall calendar or programming your smart phone to remind you to check your fire extinguishers at least every 30 days, or more frequently if appropriate.
Keeping a fire extinguisher log is as simple as circling a date on a wall calendar or programming your smart phone to remind you to check your fire extinguishers at least every 30 days, or more frequently if appropriate. These simple actions could make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major disaster for your business.
How to Check Your Fire Extinguisher
When it’s time to conduct your fire extinguisher inspection, here’s a few simple steps you can take to make sure your extinguishers will be ready when you need them:
- Ensure that access to all fire extinguishers is clear and that they are not blocked by equipment, coats or other objects.
- The needle on the pressure gauge should be in the green region, rather than the red. If it’s not, it’s highly likely your extinguisher has de-pressurized. If so, it needs to be recharged immediately.
- Check the nozzle and other parts of the extinguisher to make sure they are intact and clear of debris.
- Make sure every extinguisher has its pin in place. This pin should only be removed immediately prior to use in an emergency.
- Check the extinguisher for dents, leaks, rust, chemical buildup or any other signs of damage or abuse.
Check your owner’s guide to see if the manufacturer recommends shaking the extinguisher to prevent the dry powder inside the extinguisher from settling or packing. Some do.
Make Sure Your Extinguisher Is Ready When You Need It
If you find a fire extinguisher that is not in optimal condition, replace it immediately with one that is fully charged and ready to use. Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out you have a bad fire extinguisher. Whenever a fire extinguisher has been used, it must be completely recharged, regardless of how much of its contents were used. Fire safety is no joke. By creating an following a regular fire extinguisher inspection schedule, you can help ensure the safety of your facility and employees.