El Cajon, California Fire Extinguishers
Portable, wheeled or fixed unit fire extinguishers are an invaluable tool that every occupied building should install and properly service aiding in the containment, suppression or extinguishing of small fires in El Cajon, California.
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Fire Extinguisher Service in El Cajon, California
Fire extinguishers require scheduled and routine maintenance, which may include physical, visual and mechanical tests or inspections to ensure its ready for operation in the event of a fire in El Cajon, California.
Daily, Weekly, Monthly
Fire Extinguisher Service in El Cajon, California
Maintenance begins by owners & building occupants taking responsibility of their installed fire protection & extinguisher systems. Inspections should be performed monthly or more frequently if circumstances dictate as suggested by fire extinguisher manufacturer's, Federal, OSHA, or State fire code or insurance requirements.
- The extinguisher should be checked to see that it is not damaged
- The discharge outlet is not blocked
- That it is fully charged
- The seal is not broken and that the operating instructions are clearly visible.
- Possibly shake every month as recommended by manufacturer
- Report expired annual tags, missing , damaged or used fire extinguishers
Daily, weekly and monthly fire extinguisher maintenance inspections can be completed by reading the fire extinguisher gauges to see if a recharge is required or if pressure has been lost in the fire extinguisher cylinder, if the fire extinguisher was discharged it must be serviced and maintained, are the fire extinguisher pins in place or missing, ensuring there is an annual inspection tag certifying the fire extinguisher was inspected and tested by an authorized, qualified, certified fire extinguisher company in El Cajon, California.
Annual Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Fire Extinguisher Service in El Cajon, California
Fire extinguisher manufacturer's, NFPA, Federal, OSHA and El Cajon, California fire codes may require you to have a qualified, certified, actively licensed professional fire extinguisher company in El Cajon, California to complete fire extinguisher maintenance on all installed fire extinguishers. By obtaining bids, you can review estimates which detail the costs to maintain, service or replace installed fire extinguishers. Your local fire marshall should have details regarding the frequency of fire extinguisher maintenance schedules.
[NFPA-10] At least once a year or more frequently if circumstances require, maintenance should be performed. Maintenance is a "thorough check" of the extinguisher. It is intended to give maximum assurance that a fire extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination for physical damage or condition to prevent its operation and any necessary repair or replacement. It will normally reveal if hydrostatic testing or internal maintenance is required.
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| 1 | Clean extinguisher to remove dirt, grease or foreign material. Check to make sure that the instruction nameplate is securely attached and legible. Inspect the cylinders for corrosion, abrasion, dents or weld damage. If any damage is found, hydrostatically test in accordance with instructions in CGA C-1 and C-6 and NFPA 10. |
| 2 | Inspect the extinguisher for damaged, missing or substitute parts. Only factory replacement parts are approved for use on Amerex fire extinguishers. |
| 3 | Weigh the extinguisher and compare with weight printed in the "Maintenance" section on the nameplate (label). Recharge extinguisher if weight is not within indicated allowable tolerances. |
| 4 | Check the date of manufacture printed on the extinguisher label (nameplate) or on the agent cylinder dome. The agent cylinder must be hydrostatically tested every 12 years to the test pressure indicated on the nameplate. |
| 5 | Visually inspect the pressure gauge:
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| 6 | Check ring pin for freedom of movement. Replace if bent or if removal appears difficult. |
| 7 | Inspect discharge lever for any dirt or corrosion which might impair freedom of movement. Inspect carrying handle for proper installation. If lever, handle or rivets are damaged replace with proper Amerex part(s). |
| 8 | Install new tamper seal if broken and record service data on the extinguisher inspection tag. |
| 9 | Remove nozzle or hose and horn assembly and visually inspect inside valve body. (Chemical in the valve body may indicate that the extinguisher has been partially discharged and should therefore be recharged). Inspect nozzle or the hose & horn assembly for damage – replace as necessary. Blow air through nozzle or hose and horn to insure passage is clear of foreign material. |
| 10 | Inspect the valve assembly for corrosion or damage to hose thread connection. Replace valve assembly or component parts as necessary following the proper depressurization and recharge procedures. If valve removal is necessary, complete all steps in the Recharge Procedure. |
| 11 | Install nozzle or hose and horn assembly. |
| 12 | Replace the extinguisher on the wall hanger or in the vehicle bracket making sure that it fits the bracket properly and the bracket is securely attached – replace the bracket if necessary. |
Six (6) Year Inspections and Tear Downs
Fire Extinguisher Service in El Cajon, California
Six Year Maintenance – Every six years extinguishers requiring a 12 year hydrotest shall be emptied and subject to thorough examination of mechanical parts, extinguishing agent and expelling means. When applicable maintenance procedures are done during periodic recharging or hydrotesting, the six year requirement will begin from that date.
