When should fire extinguishers be maintained?

When should fire extinguishers be maintained?

Employers need to perform a full maintenance check on their workplace’s portable fire extinguishers once per year, according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3). “Maintenance” means a thorough examination and repair, as needed, of all your facility’s portable fire extinguishers, as covered in NFPA 10(98), Sec. 4-4.

Why is it important to properly maintain a fire extinguisher?

Properly maintaining fire extinguishers is important. However, a fire extinguisher is often the best method of fire protection that can prevent a fire from growing. Having a properly working fire extinguisher is code required for all commercial facilities. .

What should be done every month to prevent fire extinguisher from clumping?

Turn your fire extinguisher upside down and shake it at least once a month to prevent the fire fighting agent from clumping.

How does a fire prevention plan benefit your workplace?

Establish a Fire Prevention Plan – A fire prevention plan provides facilities with documentation outlining the employees responsible for identifying combustible materials, fire hazards and heat-producing equipment. It also outlines the procedures necessary to prevent potential emergencies.

What should you do to maintain the approved status of all co2 type fire extinguishers on board?

All extinguishers should be visually inspected each month, and serviced once a year. All carbon dioxide extinguishers should be weighed annually. Dry chemical extinguishers should occasionally be turned upside down and shaken.

How often should you inspect your fire extinguisher?

NFPA 10 requires extinguishers be inspected when they are initially installed and once a month after that. You should inspect extinguishers more frequently if they are installed in locations where they are more prone to rust, impact or tampering.

What should you inspect on a fire extinguisher?

Examine the extinguisher for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle. Confirm the pressure gauge or indicator is in the operable range or position, and lift the extinguisher to ensure it is still full. Make sure the operating instructions on the nameplate are legible and facing outward.

What is a fire prevention plan?

Fire prevention plan requirements A list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard.

How important is fire safety and prevention?

Fires are damaging to property, cause injury or death, and can even eliminate jobs since many buildings destroyed by fire are not rebuilt. The way to prevent these dire outcomes is proper fire safety training. Learning about fire hazards is the key to preventing fire from occurring.

What are the types of fire extinguishers and their uses?

The eight different types of fire extinguishers include specialist dry powder, standard dry powder, foam, water spray, water mist, water spray, wet chemical and carbon dioxide. There is no single fire extinguisher that can be used on all classes of fire.

What are the four steps for using a fire extinguisher?

There are four basic steps to using a fire extinguisher. Pull. Place the extinguisher on the floor. Hold it by the tank (pressure on the handle could pinch the pin). Pull the pin straight out. Aim. Start 10 feet back from the fire. Aim at the base of the fire.

How do you properly use a fire extinguisher?

Proper Techniques. Regardless which class or type of fire extinguisher is used, the basic techniques are the same. First, choose your fires wisely: Only fight a fire that is small and contained. Do not fight a fire between you and the exit. Make sure the building is being evacuated. Make sure someone is calling 911.

How do you put out a fire with a fire extinguisher?

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher. The key to putting out a fire with an extinguisher is to use the PASS strategy: Pull the pin, Aim the hose, Squeeze the lever, and Sweep the hose. However, before you use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire, it’s very important that you determine whether or not it’s appropriate for you to be fighting the fire,…

What is the proper way to use a fire extinguisher?

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Correctly. PASS is the acronym for using a fire extinguisher. Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire staning 6 to 8 feet away, Squeeze the lever, and Sweep side to side.