The question of how often should fire extinguishers be serviced has been examined and found to be reasonable. The majority of manufacturers of fire safety equipment provide annual or at least quarterly service for their products. Of course, if a fire extinguisher is used regularly in a home or business, it will likely need more frequent servicing. However, if the user does not follow manufacturer’s instructions on usage and does not practice basic safety practices when using fire extinguishers, the life of that fire protection equipment could be in jeopardy. It is important that users take time to learn proper use, and basic fire extinguisher safety, before relying on this equipment to provide protection.
Users should also consider purchasing the right fire extinguishers for the job they are currently undertaking. Many homeowners choose to include these products in their regular home maintenance and inspection lists. In fact, many local fire departments encourage the purchase of fire safety equipment as part of standard operating procedures. Of course, it is up to the user to determine what steps they wish to take regarding routine maintenance of fire extinguishers. For example, some homeowners may elect to simply remove the fire extinguisher from the tool box after use, while others may prefer to schedule servicing at designated intervals.
For those who prefer to schedule regular, extended service visits, they should understand how often should extinguishers be serviced. If the user does not believe that they use their extinguisher properly, they should take the time to speak with a local service technician to determine what steps they should take to improve their skills. Homeowners should consider purchasing an emergency extinguisher that will require no additional purchase or installation, and which is certified as being of the highest possible quality. Some long-term warranties will cover parts or repairs for a wide number of years, but most warranties will only cover replacement of the extinguisher itself.
For users who wish to schedule regular maintenance services for fire extinguishers, it is important to contact their local fire department. Many communities have fire safety departments which offer specialized fire extinguisher rental services. These services allow the individual to schedule a convenient time and day to receive their extinguisher from the department. In many cases, the service is free and no special equipment is required. After the scheduled service has been completed, the individual can then return the extinguisher to the local fire station for disposal.
There are a number of factors that should be considered when determining how often should fire extinguishers be serviced. The first is the type of use of the extinguisher. While it is never a good idea to let a used fire extinguisher sit and dry, it is not appropriate to store it in a garage or any other location where it will sit and not be accessed. Ideally, the extinguisher should be inspected every few years to ensure its proper maintenance and to keep it operational at its maximum capacity.
Another factor that should be considered is the amount of time that it will take to access and deactivate the fire extinguisher. For example, a small bucket used to catch small fires should be used on small contained fires like kitchen stoveovers. However, a large bucket used to tackle large fires should be stored in an area where access is easy and quickly made available. Having a small bucket nearby when a fire starts and quickly making use of it when the fire is in control ensures the best possible outcome.
In today’s modern world, there are multiple types of fire extinguishers that have been designed for different purposes. For example, there are electric fire extinguishers which are ideal for domestic uses around the home and work. There are also gas fire extinguishers which are a great option for outdoor use. Combination fire extinguishers are another option and they tend to be effective against most types of fire. Finally, manual fire extinguishers should always be kept in a fire safety cabinet or tool box for emergency use.
It is important to regularly service your fire extinguishers to maintain their effectiveness. The majority of them are designed to activate automatically when a fire appears. This can be done by simply pressing a button on the extinguisher itself. However, this does not mean you should ignore a fire which is burning hotter than the surrounding air. If a fire should start and spread then leave the area immediately and call the fire department for help. If you do not service your fire extinguishers on a regular basis then they are less likely to respond when the need arises.
