With proper inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM), commercial fire extinguishers can last many years and be reliable options for being the first line of defense against small fires.
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) maintains standards for the installation and upkeep of fire extinguishers for inspection purposes. If you want to ensure that your fire extinguisher inspection in NJ is completed without any issues, you’ll need to know what an inspector looks for and how to keep your extinguisher in proper order.
Fire Extinguisher Inspections: What You Should Know
You don’t have to be a professional to keep tabs on your extinguisher. In between official inspections, you should visually inspect yours to catch and address any problems right away. Don’t wait for an official inspection to find issues with your extinguisher (the same goes for fire sprinkler systems, too).
Every commercial fire extinguisher in New Jersey should be visually inspected when they are first installed and once every month. If they are installed in areas that make them prone to tampering, impact, or rust, they should be inspected more often.
Verification of these examinations should be documented in a way that’s accessible and visible. If an internal inspection is a required part of your maintenance, details on how to do an internal inspection can be found in the service manual for the extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers must have an external inspection conducted annually or when otherwise specified. Internal examinations must be done in intervals of one to six years, depending on the fire extinguisher type. Always make sure that the tag on yours identifies the following:
- The name or initials of the person performing the inspection
- The month and year of the maintenance or inspection
- The name of the agency performing the work
If your extinguisher has an internal inspection, it must have a verification-of-service collar around the neck of the container that has the month and year of the work and the name of the agency that did the inspection.
What Can Cause You to Fail a Fire Extinguisher Inspection in NJ?
There are several reasons why a company’s fire extinguishers might fail an official inspection. Some reasons are hardly ever seen, and others are much more common. The most frequently cited reasons why extinguishers fail include the following:
- The fire extinguisher has expired
- The extinguisher is damaged
- The fire extinguisher is empty
- The unit is mislabeled with the wrong type of extinguishing agent
- The extinguisher hasn’t been maintained regularly
It’s important to note that if your company’s extinguishers don’t pass an inspection, you could be fined or even forced to close until the units are repaired or replaced with new ones.
Fire extinguishers have a shelf life and must be replaced once they expire. They must also be replaced if they are dropped, damaged, or exposed to extreme temperatures. Keep in mind that extinguishers must be immediately refilled or replaced after each use!
What You Can Do to Avoid Failing Fire Extinguisher Inspections
Aside from inspecting your fire extinguishers regularly and replacing them immediately when needed, make sure that your fire extinguishers are labeled correctly. Also, ensure the hoses are always damage-free and the pressure is correct.
The best thing you can do to ensure that your company passes fire extinguisher inspections is to have expert fire safety equipment professionals handle your monthly maintenance and regular inspections.
ABC Fire & Safety is a leading provider of services, including inspections, maintenance, replacements, and initial installations of fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler systems, and more. Don’t risk failing your next fire extinguisher inspection — let professionals take care of this important equipment for you.
