Fire Extinguisher Inspections

Like any mechanical device, fire extinguishers must be maintained on a regular basis to insure their proper operation. You, the owner or occupant of the property where fire extinguishers are located, are responsible for ensuring your fire extinguishers' maintenance is complete and up to date. Check the dates on the tags hanging from the fire extinguishers in your building. If they indicate more than a year has passed since the last professional inspection, contact Jay L Harman Fire Equipment Company today. As an experienced fire protection company with 95 years in the business, you know you can trust our knowledgeable servicemen to bring your fire extinguisher inspections up to date.  Jay L Harman Fire Equipment Company provides annual fire extinguisher inspection services to many buildings throughout the El Paso TX and Las Cruces NM areas—to find out how we can keep your fire extinguishers safe, call us today! We can keep your fire extinguishers serviced so they will be ready when you need them. In our inspections, our technicians perform routine fire extinguisher inspection, testing, and maintenance. All of our portable extinguisher technicians are trained, tested, and licensed to service and recharge portable fire extinguishers.

 

Annual Inspections – The NFPA 10 and your local jurisdiction require fire extinguisher inspections.

6-Year Maintenance – The fire extinguisher is broken down and checked for damage. The “O” ring and gaskets are replaced and the extinguisher is recharged.

Hydro-test – Every 12 years the fire extinguisher is broken down and emptied. The cylinder is tested for defects. If the cylinder passes, it is recharged with new chemical and put back in service. (Required every 5 years for CO2, Water and K Class fire extinguishers.)

 

Jay L Harman Fire Equipment Company professionals are ready to support your El Paso TX and Las Cruces NM organization’s fire protection systems and service requests 24 hours a day. Call now for more information about fire extinguishers.

What Happens During a Fire Extinguisher Inspection?

As a restaurant or business owner in the El Paso TX or Las Cruces NM areas, it’s important to follow fire extinguisher inspection guidelines. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has established these guidelines to help protect business owners, employees and customers from the deadly effects of fire.

 

First, the NFPA requires monthly fire extinguisher inspections. Fire extinguishers must be inspected or given a "quick check" every 30 days. For most extinguishers, this is a job that you can easily do by locating the extinguishers in your workplace. While these steps are important for ensuring your fire extinguishers remain at the ready in case of a fire, they are not a substitute for professional maintenance. After all, the NFPA also requires annual professional fire extinguisher inspections.

 

Contrary to common thought, an annual fire extinguisher inspection doesn’t involve testing the extinguisher. After all, this would needlessly waste its firefighting contents. The NFPA recommends testing only once every five to 12 years, depending on the type of fire extinguishers you have.

Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist

When you hire a professional to conduct a formal fire extinguisher inspection, the inspector will:

1. Verify that a portable fire extinguisher is placed within 75 feet of travel on every floor of the building.
2. Verify that a portable fire extinguisher is situated within 30 feet of cooking equipment in a commercial kitchen or restaurant.
3. Ensure that each fire extinguisher is conspicuously located, not obstructed by objects and readily available for use in case of a fire.
4. Make sure the label indicating the type of fire extinguisher is legible.
5. Check the pressure dial for readability. Make sure the dial is pointing to the green to indicate a full charge.
6. Make sure the fire extinguisher hose is intact.
7. Make sure the pull pin is fastened securely within the handle and the tamper seal is unbroken.
8. Check for dents, cracks or other signs on damage on the body of the extinguisher.
9. Look for any modifications to the fire extinguisher that could possibly reduce its functionality.