The Sure-Fire Guide to Fire Extinguisher Inspections
While we hope that fire extinguishers never have to be used, they still need to be inspected and maintained to ensure they are working properly in case an emergency occurs.
First Line of Defense: Preparing for Fire Emergencies
Like most aspects of emergency preparedness, fire extinguishers are pieces of equipment that companies hope never to use. Equipment that goes untouched for long periods can be prone to neglect, but it is essential to give your fire extinguishers the proper inspection and maintenance they require. Fire extinguisher inspections are legally required to keep them ready for use if needed. Remember, those fire extinguishers are your first line of defense against fire emergencies.
Fire extinguishers must be kept accessible and functional to eliminate lost time when they are needed. Inspect your extinguishers monthly to ensure they are charged and ready to use. Annual maintenance inspections are required in accordance with NFPA 10. Other maintenance and inspection requirements are needed based on the type of extinguisher. Check the manufacturer owner’s manual for these requirements. If staff is expected to use fire extinguishers in an emergency, be sure that they have received training to use them correctly
How Often to Inspect Your Fire Extinguishers
Alright, so you know that you need to keep up with your fire extinguisher inspections. But how often should you be performing them? To keep your fire extinguishers operational and legal, you should inspect them monthly and annually.
Annual Fire Extinguisher Inspection
OSHA (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)) also requires an annual fire extinguisher maintenance inspection which a professional fire extinguisher company must perform. Depending on the type of fire extinguisher, it may also require a 5-year, 6-year, or 12-year inspection or replacement.
Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspection
A monthly fire extinguisher inspection is a quick visual inspection done by an employee as required by OSHA [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2).
Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspection Worksheet
A brief fire extinguisher inspection checklist form designed for monthly evaluation of fire extinguishers. Areas include handle, pin, gauge, seal, labels, mounting bracket, and more.
How Novara Can Help
Imagine having this checklist with you in the palm of your hand, with automatic alerts and follow-ups generated with each inspection. This checklist is a sample of the forms available in Novara EHS for you to use and customize to fit your policies and procedures.
Novara Flex offers a comprehensive and customizable library of forms for your team to fill out, including photos, attachments, signatures, GPS, follow-up tracking, offline reporting, and alerts.
Novara’s technology, training, and consulting solutions are here to help you develop an efficient inspection program for all your equipment that’s engaging and easy for your employees to follow.
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