3 Simple tips to keep your fire extinguisher in good condition
Whether for your home or business, taking care of your fire extinguisher is a necessary safety precaution. Many people tend to simply purchase an extinguisher and leave it hanging on a wall to collect dust. When a fire breaks out, they may not know how to use it or how to determine if the unit is functional.
To remain prepared for fire hazards, you should always strive to maintain your fire extinguisher properly. Here are three simple tips that will help keep your unit in good condition.
1. Check the shelf life of your unit
The most critical step is to determine how long you can expect your unit to last. The shelf life of your unit is defined by whether it's rechargeable or disposable. Rechargeable units last longer because you can refill the extinguishing agent after every use. In addition, these units come with a 6-year warranty, meaning that they can last for many more years without requiring replacement. Just make sure you refill the unit regularly.
Disposable fire extinguishers require more frequent maintenance. Some must be serviced at least once a month to remain in good condition. Most importantly, make sure you replace a disposable unit after the extinguishing agent runs out.
2. Keep it clean
Cleaning your fire extinguisher is not just an aesthetics issue; it's also an operational one. Grease and dirt can clog the unit and prevent it from discharging effluent at the most critical time. In addition, the unit may be dented or corroded without your knowledge.
Such damage interferes with the ability of your cylinder to discharge extinguishing agent. In addition, any clogging on the valve itself may require replacement. Make sure you regularly clean your fire extinguisher while visually inspecting it for damage.
3. Develop a fire safety plan
Fire extinguisher care doesn't necessarily involve the unit itself. It's a more holistic approach that covers fire safety and how you can mitigate the risk of fire damage. Towards this end, you should develop a fire safety plan for your home or business.
In your home, keep your family aware of how they can mitigate fire damage. For example, everyone should know where the fire extinguisher is located, as well as how to use it. For any commercial premises, the process is more complex. You should carry out regular fire drills, install safety precautions such as fire alarms and sprinklers, and have well-labelled fire exits for your employees and customers.
It is important that every person carefully considers the types of building products they use when building a new home. After all, the environment only has a finite amount of resources it can provide us, and once those are gone they cannot be replaced. To protect the environment, I recently built a home using sustainable building products. This means the products used are either recycled or come from renewable sources. My blog posts cover the different types of products you can use like reclaimed timber and bamboo. When it is time to build your next home, make a conscious effort to reduce your impact on the environment by making sustainable choices of your own.