Extinguish Any Doubts You May Have On Maintaining Your Fire Extinguisher!
by Norman Holden on 06/11/14
Even though a fire may begin from a small flame, the potential dangers of a fire can be life threatening. It is essential to have a fully functioning fire extinguisher ready in your house or in any premise to ensure everyone's safety. A small flame that is out of control can spread like wildfire and burn everything nearby very quickly if it is not extinguished promptly.
Thus, having a fire extinguisher within reach is of utmost importance to fight a fire. However, if it is not regularly maintained and kept in a good working condition, it will probably be ineffective when you need it the most. Appropriate fire extinguisher maintenance is vital to lessen the chances of a mishap.
Even though the consequences of a fire can be deadly, we must remember that these consequences can be easily avoided with just a little bit of diligence and effort to check your fire extinguisher. It is necessary to maintain your fire extinguisher at least once a month. In this way, the disaster of a fire in any premise can be avoided. Here are several steps that you can take on your own to make sure that your fire extinguisher is prepared and ready to be used whenever the need arises.
Steps to properly maintain your fire extinguisher
Firstly, ensure that your fire extinguisher is within reach. Also, check that residents in a house or users of a building are aware of the location of the fire extinguishers.
Ensure that nothing, such as furniture, is blocking your fire extinguisher.
Ensure that the pressure dial of a fire extinguisher is checked regularly so that it is adequately charged and is always ready for use.
Verify that the pull pin is secured properly within the handle and is fastened in place by the tamper seal.
Check that the instructions on the fire extinguisher are clear and visible in case of emergency.
Make sure that no alterations that may hinder the performance of a fire extinguisher are carried out.
Ensure that your fire extinguisher is not damaged
In addition to these guidelines, do take some time to check that your fire extinguisher is free from damage such as cracks or dents. This may prevent your fire extinguisher from functioning at its best during the time of need. Additionally, if your fire extinguisher is badly damaged and shows signs of leakage, it is potentially hazardous. The canister of a fire extinguisher may explode which can be extremely hazardous. As such, if you feel that your fire extinguisher is in a poor condition, do notify a professional fire extinguisher company and ask them to inspect it straightaway.
Service your fire extinguisher promptly after use
Lastly, once your fire extinguisher has been used, it is imperative that you either replace it or have it serviced or refilled right away to make sure that you have a fully functioning fire extinguisher readily prepared in case of another emergency. With such precautions in place, fire related tragedies could be minimised to ensure safety for everyone, including your loved ones.
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