Most people tend to think of a fire extinguisher as a one-time purchase that lasts forever as long as you don’t have a fire. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and many would-be firefighters find out the hard way that the fire extinguisher that has been waiting patiently for years doesn’t work when desperately needed.
If fire preparedness is part of your job responsibility, you must ensure that all fire prevention systems are working correctly. Your equipment may not work correctly without regular testing, maintenance, and fire extinguisher recharging.
If you’re unsure about the schedule requirements necessary to keep your extinguishers up to code, you could benefit from professional assistance. The fire experts at All Protect Systems, Inc have been servicing and recharging fire extinguishers for Ontario businesses since 1996.
What Is the Fire Extinguisher Recharging Process?
First of all, only trained professionals should perform fire extinguisher recharging. The technicians at All Protect Systems, Inc have the training, equipment, and experience necessary to ensure that your extinguishers have the proper extinguishing agent and are in top condition. During their maintenance and recharging process, their technicians perform the following procedures:
- Depressurize the extinguisher and remove all of the agent
- Remove the:
- Discharge valve from the cylinder
- Siphon tube from the valve
- Valve stem from the spring
- Clean the valve
- Insert a new o-ring gasket on the valve
- Examine the extinguisher from top to bottom for any visual signs of excessive wear or physical damage
- Reinstall the valve with a new stem, so it can maintain a seal and prevent pressure loss.
- Fill the extinguisher’s tank according to the weight specified by the manufacturer’s instructions with the proper agent such as water, foam, carbon dioxide, powder, and wet chemicals
- Re-pressurize the extinguisher tank to the manufacturer’s pressure specifications with the correct gas
- Check for pressure or agent leakage during a leak test
- Reinstall the hose or nozzle
- Re-weigh the extinguisher to ensure that it’s within the manufacturer’s specified range
- Install a new tamper seal on the safety pin and a new service tag indicating that the date of the recharge, total weight, and name of the servicing technician
How Can You Tell if Your Fire Extinguisher Needs Recharging?
If you’ve used your fire extinguisher, recharge it immediately, and even the smallest discharge can compromise the unit’s pressure. However, that’s not the only instance it should be recharged. Fire extinguisher recharging is also necessary when any of the following circumstances appear:
- Low-pressure reading
- Operating instructions are illegible
- Safety seal or tamper indicator is missing or broken
- Visible physical damage or corrosion
- Leaks
- Clogged nozzle
Assign someone at your company to perform monthly visual inspections of all of your fire safety equipment and especially your extinguishers. If he notices any problem, be sure to call a licensed professional for immediate service.
Even if noticeable problems never appear with your fire extinguishers, you still need to have them inspected, serviced, and recharged according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. ABC dry chemical agents are the most common type of extinguishing agent, and they should be serviced and recharged at six and 12 years of the manufacturing date by a trained technician.
Who to Call When Service Is Necessary?
The expert technicians at All Protect Systems, Inc can handle all of your fire extinguisher recharging needs. In fact, they can service every aspect of your fire safety system, including:
- Fire alarms
- Fire safety plans
- Gas detection
- Annual and monthly inspections
- Emergency and exit lighting
- Fire hoses
Fire safety is a serious concern for every Ontario business, and you need the very best professionals to stay compliant with the Ontario Fire Code’s requirements. Call the experts at All Protect Systems, Inc today to find out what they can do for you!