A couple of years back, we wrote a blog about the classification of fire extinguishers and what kind of fire they are meant to battle. It is important to know the difference in the types of fire extinguishers that are out there, otherwise, they are ineffective and can actually worsen a situation. Although the classification of fire extinguishers has stayed the same, there is some important news worth sharing about fire extinguishers and recent events around them.
Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall
One of the largest manufacturers and distributors of fire extinguisher systems, Kidde, recently recalled nearly 40 million fire extinguishers that stretched across 134 separate models. The recall comes after a variety of extinguishers with plastic handles that were having issues discharging and having the nozzle search with hazardous force behind it. If you or your business currently has an inventory of Kidde fire extinguishers, click this link to learn about their recall process.
Having Your Extinguisher Examined
Fire extinguishers are effective tools for reducing the amount of damage a fire can cause. In fact, the NFPA reports that fire extinguishers successfully put out 80% of all fires. However, they are only effective if they are able to operate in the event of a fire. Here is the recommended guideline to getting your fire extinguisher(s) examined:
Monthly Fire Extinguisher Examination
You should take a visual inspection of your fire extinguisher every month. Are there dents in it? Do you see any cracks along with the outer shell? Does the psi gauge still sit within the operating area? If you notice of these are out of place, take your fire extinguisher in for a repair or replacement.
Yearly Fire Extinguisher Examination
If you own a business, you are required by law to have a certified technician come to your location of the business and perform professional maintenance of your fire extinguisher(s). The same technically applies for residential homes but is not nearly enforced as hard. We recommend that you have a professional perform annual maintenance on your residential fire extinguisher.
Recharging
Depending on the type of fire extinguisher(s) you have, the amount of time before your fire extinguisher is due for a recharge varies. The average range is between 3-6 years. Learn more about when your fire extinguisher should be recharged.
Fire Damage Repair Experts
We hope that you never have a fire in your home or place of work. Make sure you are familiar with where fire extinguishers exist no matter where you are, it could save your life. In the event of a fire, ServiceMaster By Rice has certified technicians for all of your fire damage repair and remediation needs. If you own a business, learn more about our Priority Response Program for Disaster Restoration! We have locations all throughout Iowa and southern Minnesota, contact us today!
