Fire safety is an incredibly important part of workplace safety. Along with regular fire alarm testing, staff evacuation training and delegation of fire wardens, one other way to keep your business safe is through fire extinguisher serving.
Having fire extinguishers on site is not enough. You must also ensure they are in good working order, and compliant with regulations, through regular servicing. Proper fire extinguisher servicing can help protect employees, customers and business assets.
In this article, we’re going to talk through what’s involved in a fire extinguisher service, why they are important and how often you should arrange them.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing 101
There are several reasons why a fire extinguisher service is essential for your business:
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- Ensures readiness: Regular servicing confirms that fire extinguishers are in good working condition and ready for use, should they be needed.
- Legal compliance: Businesses are required to maintain all fire safety equipment, to comply with UK fire safety laws. This includes fire alarms, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers.
- Minimise risk: If a fire does break out, you want to try and contain it as much as possible, to minimise the damage. Doing this relies on you having access to functioning fire extinguishers.
- Protect the kit: Regular fire extinguisher servicing can also extend the lifespan of the kit, saving your business from frequent replacements and ongoing investment.
What’s Involved in a Fire Extinguisher Service?
To ensure compliance, here’s a simple servicing checklist for you to follow internally.
Monthly Visual Inspection
- Check for any visible signs of damage, such as rot or corrosion.
- Make sure the extinguisher is in its allocated place and ensure there is nothing obstructing it.
- Check that the pressure gauge is within the green operational zone.
- Make sure the safety pin is intact and check that the tamper seal has not been broken.
- Make sure the instructions on the fire extinguisher are clear and still legible.
Professional Fire Extinguisher Servicing
Whilst regular, in-house inspections are important, they are not a replacement for professional servicing. A certified technician should perform a detailed examination to:
- Confirm the fire extinguisher type is appropriate for your work place and the associated risks.
- Inspect the hose and nozzle for any blockages/signs of wear.
- Weigh the fire extinguisher, to ensure it meets the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Complete a basic discharge test (if the technician deems it necessary).
- A discharge test involves fully discharging the fire extinguisher, to check it’s working properly. Any amount discharged should be replaced immediately. It’s also worth noting that discharging the fire extinguisher might make the warranty void, so this test should only be completed by a professional.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing: How Often?
As a general guide, business owners should be visually inspecting the fire extinguishers monthly and arranging for a professional service once a year. On top of that, a more detailed service might be required every 5 to 10 years.
To arrange a fire extinguisher service at your business, head to our quote page and a member of our team will be in touch to arrange an appointment.
