How to inspect portable fire extinguisher

A portable fire extinguisher is considered to be the first line of defense when the fire is broke out – because using a portable fire extinguisher  is the most simple and easy method to fight or certain fire at its initial stage. There are five major types of fire extinguisher categorized them on the basis of their firefighting capacity and nature of the agent in them.

1. Water-based fire extinguisher mostly use to extinguish class A fire where combustible material is wood, paper or cloth.

1. Dry chemical powder fire extinguisher mostly used for Class A, B & C fire

1. CO2 fire extinguisher which is known by its name i.e. Carbon dioxide use for electric fire

1. Wet chemical fire extinguisher used for the kitchen fire

1. Halotron Gas fire extinguisher most used for all type of fire 

STEP # 1

• Inspector must wear all appropriate PPEs as per respective company HSE policy e.g glows etc.

• The inspector must have pen/marker which can be used to sign off fire extinguisher after inspection

• Portable weight machine

• Observation paper/log sheet must be available with inspector to record all findings during inspection

• Permission/entry permit if the area tasked is assigned in controlled or close area

• List of fire extinguisher which are going to be inspected

STEP # 2

• Authenticate the location of fire extinguisher

• Authenticate the height and accessibility of fire extinguisher

• Check expire Date

• Check Gauge or pressure meter (Except CO2 and Halotron Fire extinguishers)

• For CO2 or Halotron gas fire extinguishers the content availability will be check by its weight 

• Check the safety pin and handle locking pin

• Check the Nozzle and Pipe

• Check the cylinder condition

STEP # 3

• Sign off the extinguisher and note the observation in the observation sheet

• Close the observation report with recommendation when inspection of all fire extinguishers is done.

• Sign off permit if task is assigned in controlled area

• Submit the report to concern department or person for action to be taken

Summary

The inspection method for all above said portable fire extinguisher is almost the same except a minor difference for the fire extinguishers filled with CO2 or Halon gas.

Inspection of fire extinguisher Step By Step Method

Before starting fire extinguisher the inspector must have below important tools and measures;

The inspector will start inspection by fulfilling the requirements in STEP # 1 and proceed with below checks;

Sum up the inspection of fire extinguisher is a technical job and inspector must have well equipped with understanding of fire extinguishers science – Also, the inspection must be don’t on regular basis or with a defined frequency depending on the requirement/environment and human resources (in most companies the fire extinguishers are inspected on monthly basis.

For Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist visit below link;

HSE Checklists