Fire extinguishers are a legal requirement for all commercial and industrial structures here in Australia, and certainly are strongly encouraged to have in various parts of your house that are susceptible to fires. As you can imagine, fire extinguishers can be life-saving devices, however it's extremely very important that your fire extinguishers are maintained to guarantee that they are in suitable working order. What's the use in having fire extinguishers in your workplace or house if they don't work? All this does is present a false sense of security and in case of a fire, defective fire extinguishers can greatly increase the threat of property damage, personal injury, and death. So here's an overview on how to maintain your fire extinguishers so you can be confident that they will operate correctly if a fire does flare up in your surrounds. Fire Extinguisher Safety Protocol
There are a range of protocols to guarantee that fire extinguishers are well-maintained and are in proper working condition. The below protocols should really be done monthly, or more regularly in high-risk buildings:
If you do find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to use a fire extinguisher, always recharge your fire extinguisher right away no matter how much content you use. Fires can spark at any time so the old saying 'better be safe than sorry' is very applicable here. Along with this, fire extinguishers should be pressure tested (or hydrostatic testing) after a couple of years to ensure that the extinguisher is still safe to use. You'll should refer to the extinguishers owner's manual, the extinguisher's label, or get in touch with the manufacturer to check when such testing is needed. Fire Extinguisher Service If you have any questions about whether your fire extinguisher is in proper working order, or if you're unclear of when your fire extinguisher was last replaced, you can either elect to have a basic inspection or full maintenance service Fire Extinguisher Inspection If you're not comfortable in doing the above fire extinguisher safety protocols, a trained fire protection professional can do this for you. They'll check that your fire extinguisher is easily accessible, pressure tested, fully charged and ready to be used when needed. Don't forget, the effectiveness of your fire extinguisher relies upon how frequently you conduct these recommended protocols. It is highly advised that you undertake fire extinguisher maintenance at least once a year on all fire extinguishers. An authorised fire protection professional will conduct a full maintenance of your fire extinguishers that involves a comprehensive check for whether any repairs, recharges, or replacements are needed. Along with this, the professional will also undertake a hydrostatic test which is required every several years. An ill-maintained fire extinguisher is extremely dangerous, so it's imperative that all your fire extinguishers are evaluated on a monthly basis as outlined in the above, in conjunction with a full maintenance once every year. If you're due for a fire extinguisher maintenance, or have any questions or concerns about any of your fire extinguishers, talk with the professionals at King Fire Protection Solutions on 1300 344 966, or visit their website for more details: http://www.kingfire.com.au
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