Making premises fire safe should be our number one priority. Whether it is a school, an office, a home or a factory, the devastation of fire can be easily avoided with few simple measures. It is also our legal obligation to ensure that these standards are maintained. 

One of the requirements of designing or equipping a home, office, factory or public space, is to install a comprehensive and credible security system. A vital part of this is the fire security system. This is not just a matter of ensuring protection for both property and life, it is also a legal imperative.

But, just installing a fire safety system is not enough. In fact, this could just be called a beginning, of starting with good intentions. It is equally important that this commitment to security is maintained over time and action. Ensuring regular maintenance of your fire fighting systems, including fire extinguishers refilling India, is just as important as buying and installing one. The last thing you want is that your portable extinguishers fails just when an emergency strikes.

Why we need maintenance?

A good idea here will be to see you extinguisher as an asset. It is an investment into your security. An extinguisher is your first line of defence against any fire breakout. Hence, it is your investment into minimising any loss of property or life. As an asset, your extinguisher requires proper attention to see that it works properly.

A poorly maintained fire extinguisher will either not be filled or it will have faulty parts — either of the scenario are disastrous. It may also means that the extinguisher will have to be discarded. This could again be a loss in more ways than one. To begin with, your investment into an extinguisher fails in case you have to replace it.

You are caught unawares if a tragedy strikes. This could mean a catastrophic loss that could have been easily avoided. And lastly, it also open you to litigation for criminal negligence. In other words, without proper and timely maintenance, you could face massive losses and jail time!

How to ensure that your extinguisher is properly maintained?

To ensure that the extinguisher is properly maintained one has to regularly inspect it. Basic visual inspection can be carried out yourself, while a more detailed inspection must be done by a trained person.

Visual inspection: This is the basic inspection that can be carried out by anyone. Some of these steps can be carried out everyday and are more about staying alert. A monthly inspection is recommended. However, it should be more frequent in areas where an extinguisher is more likely to be tampered with, such as public places.

Some of these steps are:

-    Check that the tamper seal and safety pin are intact and in place.

-    Check for signs of external corrosion or damage, especially if it could impair the working of the extinguisher.

-    Check the manufacturer’s labelling. It should be legible.

-    Check that the pressure gauge indicator is in the green zone. You can also check if the gauge is working or not through the gauge test or the pin test.

-    Check that the extinguisher is mounted at a safe place that is easily reachable.

-    Check the servicing label. It will show if it is due for servicing or fire extinguishers refilling India.

-    In case of a cartridge operated extinguishers, check if it is more than 10 years old. You may need to change it.

Maintenance: You will need specialist help with this. You can contact the extinguisher vendor or go to a specialist maintenance centre. The vendor is often recommended because they have designed the extinguisher. However, extinguisher designs are pretty much standard. So, a good maintenance agency can also carry out regular maintenance work. You can, though, get a good service deal from your vendor at the time of purchase. It will also be easier to replace the extinguisher if required.

The reason we recommend that a specialist agency be used for proper maintenance and servicing is because you will need special equipment and knowledge. For instance, you need the right equipment for refilling the cylinder, something which is only carried by agencies that offer fire extinguishers refilling India.

Extinguishers are tested for the right pressure through proper methods, like hydrostatic testing. See that the date of maintenance is clearly marked on the extinguisher. This is an important record that will help you to remember when next servicing is due.

Conclusion

Maintaining an extinguisher is as important buying one. Your extinguishers should be inspected daily with proper servicing carried out when required. Above all, make sure that you keep it full by an agencies specialising in extinguishers refilling India.

Fire is one of the most devastating hazards we are faced with in our homes, offices and workplace. It capacity for destruction and devastation is legendary. It can burn down buildings, assets and take lives in a matter of minutes. In our tightly packed urban spaces, fire is doubly hazardous, capable of spreading in seconds and engulfing everything in its path.

This is why a comprehensive fire safety system is important. One of the most basic elements of a fire safety system is the fire extinguisher. With increasing awareness of fire hazards and government rules, fire safety extinguishers suppliers are seeing more business than ever before.

Despite this, there are many who are still hesitant to invest in a fire extinguisher. To ease their doubts, let us look at the pros and cons of a fire extinguisher:

Pros:

-    It comes in several sizes —from portable extinguishers to bigger cylinder. This makes it ideal to deploy in an equally wide range of locations. The small size will fit into small spaces like your car! In fact, it is the only fire safety equipment suitable in a small confined space.

-    It is easy to instal. Fire extinguishers can be mounted on almost any vertical surface, be it your kitchen wall or the car body.

-    It is easy to operate. Sure, you do need to read the instructions, but an extinguishers works on a simple method and can be used by almost anyone (barring kids, of course).

-    It is the first line of defence when fire breaks out. Figures show that when an extinguisher is used, an all out tragedy has been avoided in as many as 80%.

-    It is portable, which means you can carry it with you wherever you go. Unlike static objects like sprinklers, it can be taken to a nearby location when required, even if it is the next room. 

-    It is cheaper than many other alternatives like sprinklers. 

-    It can be used on an individual basis. Unlike other centralised systems like alarms and sprinklers, there is no need for an elaborate system.

Cons

-    There is no one size fit all. Different kind of fires (depending on the combustible material) require different types of extinguishers. In other words, the extinguisher in your kitchen may not work in your home office. You may have to invest in more than one extinguisher by a fire safety extinguishers suppliers.

-    Certain extinguishers like ABC powder extinguishers use a fine powder as the extinguishing agent. This powder can be quite messy, coating everything in a thin layer and requires heavy clean-up later on.

-    The fine powder used in some extinguishers can be harmful for someone with respiratory problems, causing irritation and shortness of breath.

-    It has limited effectiveness against fires. An extinguisher only works as a first line of defence. It is designed to put out a fire before it spreads and is pretty useless in case of a raging inferno. 

-    It requires regular maintenance. Every fire safety extinguishers supplier recommends regular maintenance to ensure that the extinguisher is in top working condition. 

-    It has to be refilled every time it is used, even if a small test amount is expelled. In some cases the refilling of extinguisher may turn out to be more expensive than buying a new extinguisher! 

-    It requires expert services in refilling and maintenance. This is because extinguishers are refilled using special equipment. This adds to the cost.

How to select an extinguisher

Check the equipment or material in the room. Different extinguishers carry different agents because these are designed to douse a specific kind of fire. For instance, fine powder extinguishers may be extremely effective in dousing flammable liquids, but they can prove to be disaster when used machinery. Instead, opt for CO2 extinguisher for your machinery.

Decide on the area covered. A small portable extinguisher may be adequate in a small areas where a fire can be contained, but it will prove dangerously insufficient in a large are like a hall.

Check that the supplier provides trolleys for large cylinders. This can crucial in an emergency when quick deployment is required.

Check that the supplier has all the required certifications, including ISO mark on the cylinder

Check that the instructions on how to use the extinguisher are clearly mentioned on the cylinder.

Check that there are no cracks on any part of the extinguisher.

Check that the fire safety extinguishers supplier offers guarantees, warrantees and can also provides maintenance services. 

Fire as a hazard for life and property has always been a concern for any city. Ancient cities had their own strict regulations for fire safety. But as the organisation of civilisations and cities became more and more complex, fire safety regulations have also become more detailed and stringent. Establishment of proper fire codes and regulation is today a national policy of most countries.

In India fire safety regulations are clearly specified in the National Building Code (NBC). Although a national policy, States have the responsibility of making their own code. The code contains standard requirements for the design and construction of any developed building. There are three aims in establishing fire safety protocols:

• Guaranteeing safety of life
• Protecting property. This includes plant and equipment on site.
• Protection of operations

Defaulting on NBC can lead to severe penalties, withdrawal of sanction and, in case construction was carried out, demolition.

Fire fighting safety equipment

There are some essential fire safety equipment that you need at a property. While for most homes a fire extinguisher may be sufficient, a bigger property will need more than that. These include other equipment like alarms, blankets, safety sigs and first-aid box.

Alarm: This is a warning system. An alarm can immediately alert all occupants of any dangerous smoke hazard. With the alarm we can save lives even before the fire spreads. Traditionally this was a bell hung outside a house, which was connected to a heavy bell inside.
Today we have battery alarms that are interconnected to each other. One alarm triggers the entire system. However, these should be checked regularly. Many battery alarms come with indicator buttons to warn us in time.

Detection system: An early detection system can be invaluable. Detection systems use heat or smoke. Some use a combination of both. The system is linked to fire alarms, triggering an immediate call when fire is detected. Some are connected to the local fire station. The automation of the detection system means that there is no chance of a human error, such as carelessness or ignorance. By connecting to the local station, it ensures an immediate wide response to an emergency.

Fire extinguisher: This is one of the most basic fire fighting safety equipment that even as individual home must have. There are different grades and types of extinguisher depending on the usage. One must ensure that the right type is selected.

Fire blanket: This is a handy equipment in case of a small fire. It works by smothering the fire with a blanket. This way we take out one of the most essential elements of a fire - oxygen.

Safety signs: Not strictly an equipment, but proper signage can be just as important in bigger buildings. Signages are essential in labelling equipment, indicating the path to safe areas and marking exit points from a building.

Fire escape ladder: What do you do when a fire has taken over your home? The only thing to do is to evacuate. The only safe way to do this from a higher floor is through a fire escape ladder. These lightweight ladders should be stored at an easily accessible place and should be easily dropped down from a window or balcony.

Fire Control Systems: Many buildings today are equipped with a sprinkler system that are automatically activated in case of fire. The sprinkler head release a fine mist of water to douse the fire. In areas with flammable liquid, electronic equipment etc where water can damage the stored property, a flood system is used for dousing fire. A gaseous flood cuts out the oxygen, preventing the fire from spreading. A warning system is sounded beforehand to ensure evacuation of all personnel.

Fire Hoses and hydrants: In some places we may have fire hydrants placed for quick access to water. A canvass hose ensure that water from the hydrant can be taken to the affected location.

Conclusion

Most of the fire fighting safety equipment must be checked on a periodic basis. There are no margins of error when it comes to fire safety equipment. A faulty equipment is as good as no equipment at all. So, ensure periodic inspection of the fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, detection and control system. Above all, ensure that all residents are well aware of the safety protocols.

Manufacturers and suppliers often suggest people to install fire extinguishers at home and office buildings. It should be done everywhere inside galleries, home stairs, near the lift, etc.

Exporters of fire extinguishers in India will explain what to do with expired fire extinguishing products in this article. You will learn the best way to dispose of expired fire extinguishers properly as these can be toxic and dangerous to keep. 

 

 Learn The Basic

Fire extinguishers have certain types- most commonly used product is the dry chemical extinguisher. Dry extinguishers spray the fire with chemicals that cuts the contact of oxygen and extinguish the fire.

Such type of equipment is used in kitchens most of the time. These equipments are labeled with A-B-C that means they are use on certain materials, electrical fires, and chemical fires.

Carbon dioxide extinguisher is other type of equipment used to combat and control fire by breaking the supply of oxygen. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are usually used in offices, computer labs, chemical factories, and other places.

Foam based extinguisher is the third type of extinguisher used majorly on chemical fires that don't respond to the carbon dioxide or dry chemicals. CO2 based extinguishers are labeled with B-C fires. Foam based extinguishers contain finely powdered sand or metal to smother a fire that is untreatable with other types of extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers get expired after 2-3 years and it is important to dispose them. You need to check your extinguishing equipment to ensure that it can be recharged because there are some extinguishers that can be used for once.

Such extinguishers should not be put inside home trash or dropped into a local trash. You must call sanitation services for this. The professionals will instruct you to dispose these extinguishers in right way.

Ask manufacturers of fire extinguishers in India for sanitation services. Most of them are offering free disposal services to their clients. 

Reference

https://fireextinguishersindia.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/how-to-inspect-dry-chemical-fire-extinguishers/ 

http://veerfirelinks.blog.com/2015/09/22/why-it-is-dangerous-to-use-expired-fire-extinguishers/

Fire extinguishing equipments range is vast and every product is intended with single objective- to combat fire when needed. Manufacturers of fire extinguishers today explain key points that one should consider while installing or even planning for installing fire fighting equipments to their premises and building. These are significant facts that one should remember every time while shopping or installing any fire extinguishing equipment into home or office premises. 

What best practices should be made by workers at workplace- this is what you will learn in this article.

Fire safety is trending and has become hot topic for workplace workers and staff members. While deaths and injury are common risks known to everyone, fires also destroy jobs. Moreover, many workplaces that are destroyed in fire mishaps are never returned to original shape. Every day fire mishaps happen and people are less prepared for the incident that results in major loss of lives and assets. Fire extinguishers manufacturers are sharing preventive measures with workers at workplaces that will protect them and guide them how to deal with fire incident if happen.