What Is Fire Extinguisher Servicing?

Regular fire extinguisher servicing is needed to meet workplace safety standards, insurance requirements and to maintain optimal performance. We all know how quickly fire spreads and how important it is that your fire extinguisher performs properly in an emergency, wether it’s in your home, office or vehicle. In this blog, we want to provide you with a detailed guide on what servicing looks like and why you need it.

Why do you need to service your fire extinguisher?

A fire extinguisher is an important tool for fire safety, however if it is not regularly serviced it may not be as effective in an emergency situation. A routine service is more than just a clean, we check the expiry date, maintenance tags, and perform a pressure test and refills after use. We also check for damage and replace any parts if necessary, then reassess the location and accessibility of your extinguisher for ease of handling. If your extinguisher needs replacing, we can provide a recycling service too.

What can happen if a fire extinguisher is not properly maintained?

We don’t need to tell you the possible resulting consequences of a lack in maintenance. Proper maintenance should be carried out on an annual basis and is the key to ensuring you and your home or business are protected in the event of a fire.

What to do after use?

Once the fire extinguisher has been used you will need to have the extinguishing agents refilled and the pressure recharged, this ensures it will be ready for future use.

What is an inspection?

An inspection is a “quick check” to give reasonable assurance that a fire extinguisher is accessible, fully charged, and operational. An inspection should be carried out monthly by either yourself or a professional. If you wish to conduct your own monthly inspection, you’ll need to observe the following: look for any damage, check the tamper seal is intact around the safety pin and that the pressure gage is in green. If any of these things are not ok, it will need a service.

How to properly maintain a fire extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers have a 5 year life span and should be maintained with an annual service. It’s a New Zealand fire safety requirement that all types of portable fire extinguishers need to be professionally serviced and tested every 12 months. Your extinguisher will also need a hydraulic pressure test, possible refill and recertification every 5 years to ensure that it gets replaced if necessary. Fire extinguisher servicing is intended to give maximum assurance that it will operate effectively and safely.

Fire Extinguisher Servicing Christchurch

 

What do we do when we service a fire extinguisher?

  • Make sure the fire extinguisher is in a location that makes it readily accessible.
  • Ensure that the fire extinguisher is set up properly for easy handling and that nothing is obstructing access to any parts of it, including the hose.
  • Check the pressure – the gauge must be in the green and show it has pressure and is fully charged
  • Check the cylinder is not damaged or rusty
  • Clean the extinguisher and check for any damaged areas around the neck of the extinguisher
  • Check that there is a visible instruction label on the fire extinguisher and that it is legible in case of emergency.
  • Make sure that no modifications were made to the fire extinguisher that might affect its performance level.
  • Check the date on the extinguisher that’s it within the 5-year date range
  • Check the maintenance tag that it matches the age of the extinguisher and the month it was last serviced. (NZ Standard Requirement)
  • Replace the maintenance tag if it is metal – Metal Maintenance tags are non-compliant and deemed to be a cutting hazard.
  • Check the extinguisher pin is fixed correctly with a tamper tag
  • Check the tamper tag is not broken, or brittle from UV damage
  • Replace tamper tag if required
  • Check the discharge hose for any blockages or is damaged or worn
  • Replace discharge hose if required
  • Check the discharge hose strap and that the hose is connected
  • Replace discharge hose strap if damaged
  • Check the net mass and gross weight to be within the weight range printed on the extinguisher
  • Check the extinguisher matches the building location
  • Check the extinguisher is fixed and mounted at the correct height
  • Check it has the correct signage and is mounted at the correct height
  • Number the extinguisher if required
  • Record the extinguisher location on the invoice and the extinguisher coverage meets the NZ STANDARD 4503
  • Provide date, age, and when the extinguisher requires its 5 yearly pressure test on the customer invoice
  • Once the above checks have been completed click the yellow maintenance tag on the month the extinguisher was serviced
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