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Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Standards

Maintaining a full-time business is be a busy job. We get that. That’s why you have us—fire and life safety is our full-time job. Fire extinguisher inspection is often put on the back burner even though it plays a vital role in keeping you and your business safe. Are you taking the time to properly maintain your fire safety equipment? While we hope there is never a need to use your fire protection system, will yours be equipped to handle a blazing situation should one arise?

To ensure your fire extinguisher is prepared for the unexpected you need to perform the necessary inspection and tests.

Visual Inspections

Staff must perform a routine visual inspection to ensure that each extinguisher is accessible and operational at all times. NFPA 10 requires that you inspect the following monthly:

  • Extinguishers are in their designated places
  • There are no obstructions to access or visibility
  • Safety seals are not broken or missing
  • There is no evidence of physical damage, corrosion, leakage or clogged nozzle
  • Pressure gauge readings are in the proper range or position
  • Operating instructions are legible and facing outward
  • Fullness – confirmed by weighing or lifting

Any problems found during the inspection must be corrected immediately. If necessary, perform full maintenance or replace the extinguisher if it doesn’t meet standards.

Additional Maintenance Tests

Six-Year Maintenance

Every six years, stored pressure fire extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test need to be emptied and put through a thorough examination of mechanical parts, extinguishing agent and expelling means.

Hydrostatic Testing

Hydrotests are completed to ensure the fire extinguisher tank will hold the stored pressure extinguishing agent. The test is performed by filling the container with water or another non-compressible fluid that is compatible with the fire extinguishing container. The container is inspected for potential failure points by increasing the pressure on the container to a point specified by the manufacturer or Federal safety standards. The pressure must be maintained for at least 30 seconds.

Fire Extinguisher Services in Houston, Texas

Whether you need to schedule an annual fire extinguisher inspection or drop by our office for an immediate recharge or replacement of your fire extinguishers, contact Kauffman Co. today! Our family-owned fire protection services company can service your bulk order of fire extinguishers to ensure you’ll always be protected in the event of a fire emergency.

Ready to schedule your Houston fire extinguisher service? Click here to contact Kauffman Co.!

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