There’s no doubt that fire extinguishers are among the most essential tools in any fire safety plan. They’re often the first line of defense against fires – and their usage can prevent certain fires from becoming catastrophic – saving both lives and assets.

However, many people make the mistake of depending on the same old fire extinguishers they’ve had for a few years. They think that because they haven’t had to use them that they should be full and ready to go whenever needed. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Fire extinguishers need to be charged to operate correctly. Here are some ways you can stay ahead of this issue and make sure that your fire extinguishers will be ready when called upon.

Was your extinguisher recently used?

If the answer is ‘yes’ – then it’s time to get it recharged. If the answer is ‘no, it hasn’t been used in years’ – then you need to get it charged. Over time an extinguisher can leak pressure – so little you’d never notice it. And when it leaks air pressure, it also leaks chemicals from within the extinguisher. That’s bad if you need to fight a fire – it’s doubly bad if you lack both the chemicals and the air pressure to fight the fire.

Take the time to read this blog through, then call someone and get it inspected. Oh, and speaking of inspections…

Get your extinguishers inspected regularly

You should get your extinguishers inspected every year. Get a fire safety pro to come through, inspect them -and make sure everything is working as it should be. Fire extinguishers are incredibly durable, but it’s essential to be prepared in the rare event that they’re not. Professionals will also notice things you wouldn’t think or know how to look for. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Be on the lookout for problems

Things like low-pressure readings signify that you might need to get your extinguisher recharged. This would also apply if you can’t read operating instructions or notice that certain seals have been broken. Also – if your extinguisher has been tampered with in any way – It should immediately be replaced.

Beware of pressure gage issues

Anytime you notice little to no change in a pressure gauge over the span of a few months, you could potentially have an issue. Your unit could be overcharged or undercharged – and you’ll need to make sure that your extinguisher is within safe operational parameters.

If you have any questions about this or any other fire protection topic, don’t hesitate to contact Protegis Fire & Safety.