Ensuring that your building’s fire sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers are in working order is essential to remaining compliant with the New Jersey fire code and preventing catastrophe. Doing this requires, among other measures, regular hydrostatic testing.
The hydrostatic testing process does not need to be done incredibly often, nor is it overly complicated, but it is absolutely crucial. If you want to know more about this important aspect of your building’s fire protection, then take a look at this hydrostatic testing guide.
What Is Hydrostatic Testing?
Hydrostatic testing is a process designed to test the hold pressure of rechargeable fire extinguishers. The test ensures that the fire extinguisher is still effective and that there are no leaks you need to address.
Hydrostatic testing does not need to be done all that frequently, which is a big reason why it can easily be overlooked. However, performing this test can be the difference between preventing a serious fire in your building and a tragedy occurring.
If you have carbon dioxide, wet chemical, or pressurized water fire extinguishers in your building, you should perform hydrostatic testing once every five years. And if you have dry chemical fire extinguishers, you should perform hydrostatic testing once every 12 years.
The Hydrostatic Testing Process
Take a look at the fire extinguishers in your building to determine whether they require hydrostatic testing. If you find that they are, you’ll want to reach out to a company that does fire extinguisher inspection in NJ, like ABC Fire & Safety. When the professional fire extinguisher comes to perform the inspection, you can expect the following process:
Visual Inspection
Sometimes, your fire extinguisher will have exterior signs of damage, which will signal that it’s not safe for testing and requires replacement. Your inspector will first perform a visual inspection in order to identify any of these signs prior to going through with the hydrostatic testing process.
Discharge Fire Extinguisher
If the fire extinguisher passes the visual inspection, the next step will be to discharge it. Your inspector will first attach a specially designed adapter used during the hydrostatic testing process and then discharge the fire extinguisher until it is empty.
Interior Inspection
With the fire extinguisher now emptied, your inspector will have the ability to take a look at its interior in order to identify any issues that may be preventing it from holding pressure. If they do find that there are any issues, then the fire extinguisher will be considered no longer usable.
Hydrostatic Testing
Any fire extinguishers that have passed exterior and interior inspection can then be tested for their hydrostatic pressure. This involves filling the emptied extinguisher with water at a level that exceeds its pressure rating and then discharging it behind a protective shield or cage.
This process will let your inspector know whether the fire extinguisher is capable of maintaining its pressure rating. Should the pressure drop during this process, then the extinguisher will be deemed unusable.
Restoring the Fire Extinguisher
If the fire extinguisher passes the hydrostatic testing process, it can then be cleaned and dried out and then refilled so that it can be used in the event of a fire. During this process, any disposable parts will be replaced along with the ID and labels, and then the pressure will be restored.
Testing Your Fire Extinguisher in New Jersey
Hydrostatic testing of your building’s fire extinguishers must be performed by a professional fire extinguisher inspector. If you’re looking for an inspector in New Jersey, then reach out to ABC Fire & Safety today to learn more.
