When a fire breaks out in a business structure, it may spread swiftly, posing a threat to everyone within and causing significant property damage. Because of this, fire safety is crucial in business settings, and any fire safety strategy must include fire extinguishers.
They can be used to put out the fire at its source, but if they are not routinely inspected, they can break down just when you need them. Here are some tips to help you decide whether to get your fire extinguishers tested. Regular fire extinguisher inspections are a simple and affordable approach to keep your Northern California business safe from fires.
Visual Inspections
OSHA and NFPA guidelines state that every commercial building should conduct a thorough visual examination of every fire extinguisher once a month. This can be done by properly qualified personnel, and part of their job description should be to check that the fire extinguisher is securely installed, quickly accessible, and free of noticeable external defects like dents, rust, or broken handles. To make sure the fire extinguisher is still charged and operational, check the pressure gauge. Additionally, make sure the pin is there and not broken or loose.
Lift the cylinder to make sure the gauge is working properly and that it is full. Next, confirm that there are signs indicating the position of the fire extinguisher or that it is easily visible. Lastly, check the fire extinguisher’s tag for the date of the most recent professional inspection, and make sure the tag and any internal logs reflect the current inspection.
General Maintenance Inspections
Your California facility needs to hire a certified fire protection firm once a year to conduct a thorough maintenance inspection of all the fire extinguishers.
This will entail examining the fire extinguisher for damage, making sure it is charged, and searching for any issues that would call for maintenance, impede its functionality, or render it dangerous to use. Every fire extinguisher that passes will be given a fresh tag for the yearly inspection; those that don’t pass will need to be fixed or replaced.
Internal Inspections
Your fire extinguishers need to have internal checks performed every few years by a qualified fire prevention provider. Depending on the type of extinguisher, it may need to be emptied and have all of its internal parts inspected to ensure proper functioning every five, six, or twelve years.
In order to make sure the cylinders can sustain the pressures of the chemicals and propellants they contain and are free of corrosion and cracks that could result in leaks, they must also be inspected and hydrostatically tested. They are able to be recharged and put back into use after passing the testing and inspection.
Expert Fire Extinguisher Services in Northern California
Contact our staff at Best Fire Alarms if you require a certified fire protection firm in the Bay Area or Northern California to inspect your extinguishers. We have been providing fire extinguisher inspection and testing, maintenance, recharge services, and other services to Californian businesses for more than 25 years.
Our staff has a strong commitment to fire safety, and we go above and beyond to meet our clients’ fire safety demands while safeguarding their companies. You can depend on us to keep your fire extinguishers charged and ready to go since we have local teams, are available around-the-clock, and provide the best goods and workmanship.
To arrange for a fire extinguisher inspection or a general fire safety inspection anywhere in Northern California, give us a call at (916) 663-3582 or send us an online message.