Experts have conducted a fire extinguisher inspection to check its condition. It includes fire extinguisher testing as well as maintenance. An expert safety expert or a company's safety officer executes a fire extinguisher inspection every month as a part of their overall fire safety strategy. It compromises both fire extinguisher testing and maintenance.
Labelling a fire extinguisher is an essential requirement in compliance with OSHA's – Hazard Communication under Hazardous and Toxic Substance standards. These regulations aim at the chemical employers and manufacturers where all the fire extinguishers are positioned.
While keeping the records of the fire extinguisher inspections through a label, paper, tag, and electronic files is a standard principle by the 'National Fire Protection Association' (NFPA). It also recommends having an independent inspection log for each fire extinguisher.
Is Fire Extinguisher Inspection A Necessity By OSHA?
Yes! Fire Extinguisher is a necessity. As per the 'Fire Protection for Portable Fire Extinguisher' standards by OSHA, the companies are responsible for maintenance, inspection, and testing of available portable fire extinguishers in the entire infrastructure.
Perform regular monthly visual inspections for the fire extinguishers. The portable fire extinguishers need a yearly maintenance check with each date recorded on the inspection log. The employer must ensure that these fire extinguishers are checked and maintained a year after the previous entry.
How Frequently Do Extinguishers Require To Be Examined?
Fire Safety Office should check the fire extinguishers during initial installation and every month as guided by NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). The rate of the extinguisher inspections is adjustable as per its environment.
As per NFPA guidelines, these monthly inspections for fire extinguishers should be conducted and recorded for at least 12 months. All the data, like the person who conducted the inspection, the month, and the year it was labelled.
Perform The Fire Extinguisher Inspection Quickly
When recording a monthly extinguisher inspection, it is crucial to follow the following six key steps:
- Check Accessibility
- Check the Physical State
- Note the pressure gauge
- Check the inspection tag
- Generate Report
- Recommend Action(s)
- Issue: When the extinguisher's location is obstructed, it may create a difference between someone's life and death.
- Action: You should quickly eliminate obstructions or reposition the extinguisher. Ensure that it can be seen easily by everyone. Then, please place it in a natural path to travel
Cylinder Has Rust and Dents
- Issue: Fire extinguishers usually remain unused, and thus, they may experience physical deterioration because of corrosive or humid environment, accidental bumps, or constant transfers. Physical defects may result in malfunction or life-threatening explosions.
- Action: Send the cylinder immediately to the manufacturer to get it replaced.
Wrapping Up
More than 90 per cent of the fires caused in commercial workplaces are extinguished by the workers using a portable fire extinguisher. However, even a single detective extinguisher can put everyone's life at life-threatening risk. The safety officer's job is to perform regular and constant fire extinguisher checks and maintain the records to keep the tenants and buildings safe.
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