The inspection requirements applicable to portable fire extinguishers are covered in NFPA 10(10), Sec. 7.2. Portable fire extinguishers are required to be visually inspected when initially placed in service and at least monthly at a minimum of 30-day intervals thereafter [see NFPA 10(10), Sec. 7.2.
NFPA 10 requires that fire extinguishers be serviced annually by a certified technician, which includes a thorough inspection, and, if needed, maintenance, testing, and recharging.
Key Objectives of NFPA 10
Standardizing the maintenance and inspection of extinguishers to ensure reliability and compliance with safety regulations.
NFPA 101 requires the installation of automatic fire sprinklers and NFPA 13 provides the specific design requirements for spacing of heads, design density, and obstructions, to name a few.
A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, shall be provided within 50 feet of wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the jobsite. This requirement does not apply to the integral fuel tanks of motor vehicles.
NFPA 10 is the national standard for portable fire extinguishers. This standard covers fire extinguishers' design, construction, performance, testing, maintenance, placement, and signage requirements. NFPA 10 also ensures that your extinguisher is ready for use.
Pull: Pull the safety pin located at the top of the fire extinguisher. Aim: Aim the nozzle at the fire's base rather than its top. Squeeze: Squeeze the lever gently to release the extinguishing agent. Sweep: Sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side to sufficiently cover the fire and prevent it from spreading.
The following types of fire extinguishers are considered obsolete and shall be removed from service: Soda acid. Chemical foam (excluding film-forming agents) Vaporizing liquid (e.g., carbon tetrachloride)
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Yes, most fire extinguishers expire 10 to 12 years from the date of manufacture and have an expiration date stamped on them. Verifying the expiration date and replacing the extinguisher if it has elapsed are vital.
New legislation
The phase-out primarily impacts aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) used for Class B fire suppression. These foams, which have been widely used in both fixed and mobile fire suppression systems, rely on PFOA and similar compounds for their effectiveness.
The golden rule is that only one extinguisher is used. If that fails to extinguish the fire, STOP and leave.
The details in regard to the maintenance are given in IS 2190 : 1992 'Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of portable first aid fire extinguishers (third revision)'. This standard was first published in 1962 and revised in 1972, 1976 and 1985.
Class A puts out ordinary combustible fires (wood, paper, plastic, etc.) Class B puts out flammable liquid fires (oil, gas, petroleum, etc.) Class C puts out electrical fires. Class D puts out combustible metal fires (magnesium, titanium, potassium, sodium, etc.)
Did you think there was a fire and there wasn't? In both of these cases there would be no legal repercussions, unless you damaged something, which is possible using a dry chemical extinguisher around electrical equipment. If it was malicious however there could be charges.
How To Use a Fire Extinguisher. It's easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if you can remember the acronym PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. Pull the pin. This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
NFPA 1 - Fire Code.
NFPA 10 provides requirements to ensure that portable fire extinguishers will work as intended to provide a first line of defense against fires of limited size.
Red – Water (Spray and Mist) Cream – Foam. Blue – Dry Powder. Black – Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Understanding fire extinguisher types and classes
Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, solvents, lacquers, alcohols, oils and other similar substances. Class C extinguishers are suitable for use only on electrically energized equipment fires.
The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury. Only approved portable fire extinguishers shall be used to meet the requirements of this section.
ABC dry chemical powder fire extinguishers are suitable for use on Class A (ordinary solids), Class B fires (flammable liquids) and Class C (gas and vapors) fires. The ABC type Portable Gas Cartridge Type fire extinguishers can also be used on electrically actuated fires.
When do fire extinguishers expire? Although they don't have a true "expiration date," traditional fire extinguishers generally have a 10-12 year life expectancy. Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years.
Water extinguishers should not be used on flammable liquid fires (Class B). The reason for this is that water is denser than most flammable liquids and sinks below them. Instead of smothering the fire, the water can cause the burning liquid to spread, increasing the fire's area and intensity.