Maintaining Your Fire Extinguisher

1/13/2023 (Permalink)

Hopefully, you have a properly inspected and maintained fire extinguisher in your home in the event of a house fire. The National Fire Protection Agency requires extinguishers be inspected when they are initially installed and once a month after that. You should inspect extinguishers more frequently if they are installed in locations where they are more prone to rust, impact or tampering.

  There are three critical check points to cover when inspecting your fire extinguisher:

1. Confirm the extinguisher is visible, unobstructed, and in its designated location.
2. Verify the locking pin is intact and the tamper seal is unbroken. ...
3. Confirm the pressure gauge or indicator is in the operable range or position, and lift the extinguisher to ensure it is still full.

If you are a business owner the regulations also state: The regulations state that a minimum of two Class A fire extinguishers on every floor of a building are needed, unless the premises are very small, in which case one may be acceptable. ... If there is a sprinkler or automatic suppression system in place, fewer fire extinguishers may be required.  

What is the difference between Class A and B fire extinguishers?

Class A: freely burning, combustible solid materials such as wood or paper. Class B: flammable liquid or gas. Class C: energized electrical fire (energized electrical source serves as the ignitor of a class A or B fire – if electrical source is removed, it is no longer a class C fire. 

Fires can be classified in five different ways depending on the agent that fuels them: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class K. Each type of fire involves different flammable materials and requires a special approach. In fact, trying to fight a blaze with the wrong method might make the situation worse.

  In the unfortunate event of a house or business fire; SERVPRO of Sussex County stands ready to assist with the best remediation and restoration service attainable.  Please call us at 302-856-9768.