Fire extinguisher products are great tools to prevent fire from affecting your homes, offices, or industries. The first line of defense they give is the prevention of small fires from spreading out and potentially growing into a large fire or blaze.
Having a fire extinguisher is not enough. One needs to maintain refilling of fire extinguishers in time to be sure of their operation. Without proper maintenance, advanced extinguishers may fail you at the most crucial moment.
Now let’s ask: When is refilling necessary?
Understanding fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are used to control small fires before they become big and damage lives and property. Fire extinguishers function by interrupting the essential elements of fire (heat, oxygen, or fuel), depending on the extinguishing agent used. There are several types of fire extinguishers, for use in dealing with specific kinds of fire. They are:
1. Water extinguishers: They are best suited to fires caused by ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, or cloth.
2. CO2 extinguishers: They are appropriate for electrical fires and fires caused by flammable liquids. They deprive oxygen near the fire and thus smother it.
3. Foam extinguishers: These extinguishers can be used on fires caused by flammable liquids and solids. They create a surface barrier and prevent fire re-ignition.
Proper maintenance and regular refills make sure a fire extinguisher will function at emergency times. If you give up on these, you are going to end up helpless in emergency times.
Signs that your fire extinguisher needs refilling
Pressure gauge indicator
The vast majority of extinguishers possess pressure gauges which make it easy to identify when the extinguisher is fully charged. If the green zone is indicated by the pointing of the needle, there is optimal pressure. Recharging fire extinguishers would be essential whenever the needle falls into the red zone.
Visible damage or corrosion
Exterior physical damage may be caused to the extinguisher by any denting on the extinguishing surface or a crack that makes its effectiveness ineffective. Corrosion will affect the weakening of the cylinder causing either leakage or rupture due to internal pressure. Immediately see to all the above for maximum safety.
Expired or used up
Even if the extinguisher has been partially utilized, it must be recharged. A partially discharged extinguisher cannot generate enough pressure nor discharge sufficient extinguishing agents.
Every fire extinguisher has an expiration date. With time, extinguishing agents may deteriorate, and seals or parts wear out, which can render them less effective or completely inoperable. Expiration dates checking and fire extinguisher fill-up are part of what ensures fire safety.
Routine inspections
Technicians qualified should inspect all extinguishers every year to meet the standards of safety. This includes checking the pressure gauge, seals, labels and general condition. The following should be checked during inspection
1. A safety pin unbroken and undamaged is present.
2. No indication of the tamper seal being damaged
3. The nozzle is dust-free and free of obstructions.
4. Labels and instructions are readable by the naked eye
5. The place of storage is within the limits and accessible
How to refill your fire extinguisher?
Extinguishers must be charged after use as well as on the basis of inspection by the technicians because it can lead to a fall in pressure even if unused. You can refill your fire extinguisher through the below-given methods:
DIY Refilling
For some of the smaller, non-pressurized fire extinguishers, refilling yourself might be possible by using a refill kit from the manufacturer. The basic process is:
1. Release residual pressure.
2. Fill with the necessary extinguishing agent
3. Discharge unit by utilizing the correct air compressor or CO2 cartridge.
However, in most cases, people do not like to do this because DIY filling of a fire extinguisher requires technical precision for safety and effectiveness. Faults in recharging fire extinguishers can make them unusable at a critical moment in an emergency.
Regulations & certification
Generally, most countries have local fire safety regulations that require servicing and refilling to be carried out by licensed professionals to ensure that such work is done according to safety standards. This reduces liability risks.
The fire extinguisher is the most crucial equipment that can help in saving lives and properties in a fire emergency. As such, this device must be checked often to know whether the fire extinguisher requires refilling so it will be prepared for use at the time it is needed. Proper refilling of fire extinguishers can keep them effective.
Safetik is the best provider of fire and safety services in Kerala. Their products ensure fire safety across industries. Contact us to stay safe and make sure your fire extinguishers are always in working condition!