How often do I need fire extinguisher service?

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Normal fire extinguisher inspections are required once a month to make sure there’s no obvious damage to the device and the fire extinguisher pressure is adequate. You can perform this inspection on your own or we can service it for you.

 

In addition to monthly extinguisher inspections, full fire extinguisher maintenance is required once a year by a license service company and a fire extinguisher hydro test is required every 5 to 12 years depends on what type of extinguisher.

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On the 12 year test cycle, every 6 year we need to do an internal inspection to make sure it is not pitted and to make sure it will work.

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What do the letters and numbers by the fire extinguisher classification mean?

 

Every fire extinguisher has an alphanumeric rating that tells you what types and sizes of fires it can extinguish.

The letters stand for the class of fire the extinguisher can be used against:

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A – ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, plastic, etc.)
B – flammable liquids (oil, gas, petroleum, etc.)
C – electrical equipment
D – metals
K – cooking oils and fats

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The numbers indicate how much of the fire can be put out by the fire extinguisher. Every number before the A means it’s as effective as 1 ¼ gallons of water. For example, 2A means the fire extinguisher is as effective as 2 ½ gallons of water, and so on. The numbers before B and C are a measure of the number of square feet the fire extinguisher can put out. For example, a 10:BC fire extinguisher can extinguish a fire over 10 sq. ft.

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What Chemical or Material is Contained in a Fire Extinguisher?

 

The chemical or material used to put out the fire varies based on class. They include:

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• Dry Chem : This powder-based agent stops reactions involving heat, oxygen and fuel. The chemicals involved include monoammonium phosphate (ABC), sodium bicarbonate (BC), potassium bicarbonate (Purple -K), and potassium chloride (Super-K). As they can be used on a wide range of materials, dry chemical extinguishers are the most common.

• Wet Chem: Class K uses potassium, spraying a fine mist to both cool the solution that is on fire without splashing it, but to also create a soap-like layer on the top in a process known as saponification. Both help to extinguish flames by cutting off oxygen and reducing the overall temperature of the fuel involved, which also minimizes the risk of re-ignition.

• Water: often pressurized or delivered as a mist, lowers the temperature of the fire and causes it to gradually die down. Other chemicals, such as antifreeze, may be added to accelerate this process. Water is ideal for select combustibles, such as paper or cloth.

• Carbon dioxide: works by removing both oxygen and heat and is typically used for electrical fires.

• Class D: are equipped with a unique extinguishing agent specifically formulated to combat fires fueled by combustible metals. This agent is designed to smother and cool down the flames, effectively suppressing the fire.

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How do I properly use a fire extinguisher?

 

Remember the acronym PASS:

• P: Pull the pin to break the tamper seal.

• A: Aim low, pointing the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire.

• S: Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.

• S: Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area in case the fire reignites.

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How do I know if my fire extinguishers work?

 

You or an employee can perform a simple monthly check of your fire extinguishers by looking at the pressure gauge to see if the needle is in the green zone. However, the best way to ensure they continue working correctly is to schedule fire extinguisher service at least once a year.

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When should I replace my fire extinguishers?

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Fire extinguishers can contain a variety of extinguishing agents and are made of different materials, so they don’t have a set service life span. Scheduling a yearly inspection is key to knowing how long yours can last. You should replace a fire extinguisher if the cylinder is corroded or gives inaccurate gauge readings. If a fire extinguisher fails inspection, it must be repaired or replaced. Contact a professional fire safety equipment service to assess and address the issue.

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