Businesses of all kinds require fire extinguishers to maintain fire code compliance and ensure fire safety. Fire extinguishers carry a variety of information on tags and labels, but what exactly does that information mean?
Understanding how to read a fire extinguisher is essential to maintain compliance and handle extinguishers properly in an emergency situation.
Finding and Understanding Your Fire Extinguisher Tag
Every fire extinguisher must have a tag that provides a record of its service life. On the tag, you’ll find a variety of information, including inspections and maintenance. That information is vital to ensure that your fire extinguishers are ready to go whenever they are needed.
The tag is typically attached near the top of the fire extinguisher. You will often find it near the handle or the pressure gauge. Tags are usually quite prominent and easily spotted — this is required to ensure that they are properly used.
On the tag, you’ll see any inspections or maintenance in chronological order. The information should include the date, the company that did the inspection, and the certification.
Fire Extinguisher Classes and Types
It’s also important to understand fire extinguisher classes. On every fire extinguisher, you’ll find prominent letters that denote the specific class. These include classes A, B, C, D, and K. Different classes are suitable for tackling specific types of fires.
Class A fire extinguishers are typically effective only for fires involving solid combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth. Class B extinguishers can handle fires caused by flammable liquids, such as gasoline. Class C is meant to tackle live electrical fires. A Class D extinguisher is specifically for combustible metals, such as magnesium. Many restaurants use Class K extinguishers specifically designed for grease fires.
Many common fire extinguishers are labeled as Class ABC. These are multipurpose fire extinguishers meant for general use. They can effectively tackle most types of fires, except in niche situations where a business or industrial site would require specialized extinguishers.
Routine Inspections and Maintenance
Just like fire sprinkler systems and other suppression systems, fire extinguishers require routine inspections to ensure that they stay effective. Fire codes require businesses to keep up with these regular inspections, which are recorded on the fire extinguisher tag.
During an inspection, a fire extinguisher professional will look at important details such as pressure gauge status, physical damage, and accessibility. At some point, fire extinguishers require recharging to ensure that they have the pressure to function in an emergency. Recharges are also recorded on the fire extinguisher tag.
Along with professional inspections, there is also a requirement for businesses to check tags themselves, typically on a monthly basis. These briefer checks help ensure that any important details haven’t gone overlooked.
Fire Extinguisher Expiration Dates
Fire extinguishers also have expiration dates that must be monitored carefully. Once that date is reached, the fire extinguisher will have to be serviced or replaced, depending on the specific type. It’s not just about pressure charge but also about components such as seals that can degrade over time.
Businesses that have out-of-date fire extinguishers are not maintaining compliance with fire codes. Even more importantly, they’re leaving building occupants at elevated risk due to faulty fire extinguishers on site.
Fire Extinguisher Services in New Jersey
Do you have the right type of fire extinguisher in New Jersey to meet your needs? Has it been properly maintained? The team at ABC Fire & Safety provides a full range of fire extinguishers for any residential or commercial needs, along with professional fire extinguisher inspection in NJ. Keep your property safe and meet fire code standards by reaching out to our team today.
