Trusting that your fire extinguisher will work in an emergency depends on how well you maintain it. But how do you know when you need Clearwater fire extinguisher service? Here are some tips.
Fire extinguishers are a vital part of your Fire & Life Safety plan. They can help put out a fire and help as you vacate a dangerous situation. Did you know that you need to have them serviced to ensure they will work correctly when you need them? Our Clearwater fire extinguisher service technicians at DynaFire offer a short guide to a fire extinguisher visual inspection. We’re also sharing some helpful hints about when you need to have the experts give your fire extinguisher the once-over.
Check Your Fire Extinguisher Pressure
Your fire extinguisher has a pressure gauge that gives you a sneak peek at what’s going on inside. Keeping an eye on this gauge will let you know if there’s an issue that requires service.
Typically, an ABC-rated dry chemical fire extinguisher should read anywhere from 185 – 195 PSI. A CO2 fire extinguisher should read around 2,000 PSI (that’s pounds per square inch). You can check the manufacturer guidelines for your fire extinguisher to ensure it’s at the pressure it was designed to maintain. If your gauge shows that your fire extinguisher is losing pressure, it’s time to take it to a fire equipment service company like DynaFire to have it serviced. You may not know what exactly PSI means but we do, and we can tell if something’s wrong with your extinguisher.
Check The Hose
Your fire extinguisher’s hose is how the extinguishant gets from inside the canister to the fire. It’s kind of important (okay, it’s really important) that it isn’t damaged so it will work correctly. Look for visible signs of wear. Does the hose appear cracked? Do you have reason to suspect that it’s clogged? It’s better to be safe than sorry. Take it to your local Clearwater fire extinguisher service professionals to have it checked out.
We can replace your hose and give your fire extinguisher a proper inspection to make sure that it’s good to go if you should ever need it.
Is There Visible Damage To Your Fire Extinguisher?
Periodically, or ideally, on a regular basis, you should give your fire extinguisher a visual check to see if anything looks suspicious. If you see any of these signs of damage, have our Clearwater team inspect your fire extinguisher:
- The handle is broken
- The pin is damaged or broken
- The shell has a crack or other visible damage
Any of these signs can mean your fire extinguisher won’t work properly if you need it in case of an emergency.
Check The Expiration Date
Traditional fire extinguishers expire after about 12 years. If your fire extinguisher is nearing or past the 12-year mark, it’s probably time to replace it. If you have a rechargeable fire extinguisher, they can live much longer if you recharge them on schedule.
Did you even know that you could recharge a fire extinguisher? It’s true. Pretty cool, right? If you have your rechargeable fire extinguisher serviced (recharged) every 6 years or so, it can last much longer than a traditional fire extinguisher. Your Clearwater fire extinguisher service technician can advise you on when you need to recharge or retire your fire extinguisher.
It’s Time For Your Inspection
The NFPA requires that your fire extinguisher is inspected by a professional when it is installed, then again every year. DynaFire can help you stay on schedule so that your inspections happen on time, each year. Keeping your fire extinguisher functioning properly is just as important to us as it is to you. Our team of Clearwater fire extinguisher service technicians can inspect your fire extinguisher for any signs of damage, loss of pressure, or other potential failure indicators.
If you’re not sure when your fire extinguisher was last inspected, or you know it’s time for your next inspection, give us a call. We can help you with all of your Fire & Life Safety needs, from fire extinguishers to monitoring systems. Contact us today.
