Small fires require fire extinguishers to be effective, as well as being properly charged or pressurized. Despite this, many building owners responsible for maintaining and inspecting their fire extinguishers aren't sure what to do or when it's time for them to recharge the fire extinguishers. The importance of fire safety and prevention cannot be overstated either for homeowners or businesses. What is the best way to know if your fire extinguisher is functioning properly and if it needs to be replaced?
If a fire extinguisher is rechargeable, it can be refilled. Here are some tips on how to do a routine fire extinguisher service and keep your home ready for emergencies.
The importance of fire extinguisher refilling
The use of a depressurized, undercharged, or expired extinguisher can cause your staff and property to be put at risk. Industrial and commercial facilities could benefit from having their extinguisher chargers generated by fire protection professionals to ensure that they comply with state regulations, OSHA requirements, and the recommendations of their insurance companies.
Company fire protection professionals have the necessary equipment, knowledge, and training to ensure that fire extinguishers are kept in excellent working order and properly refilled with the appropriate extinguishing agent for carbon dioxide.
The following is a detailed guide to your fire extinguisher refilling.
Extinguisher Cylinders Cleaning
The cylinders should be empty
Firstly, get your fire cylinder depressurized and emptied. The most common way to empty a fire extinguisher involves holding it vertically while gently pressing the handle to release the smoke. The handle should be released when the gauge shows "0."
The outer surface of the cylinder should be clean
A wet cloth and cleanser should be used to clean the cylinder's exterior. Clean the extinguisher with a damp cloth and make sure it is clean. Ideally, use a cleaning solution without solvents as well as warm water.
The Siphon tube should be removed.
The valve and valve stem have been removed with the siphon tube. It is also necessary to remove the valve stem spring when you transfer the valve. Be careful to avoid leaning over the extinguisher when removing valves, as if it flows smoothly, a fully re-pressurized extinguisher may not be in good working order.
The valve should be cleaned
Ensure that the valve assembly and valve are properly cleaned. The pressure should be maintained by cleaning everything without solvents so that pressure can be maintained after the fire extinguisher refilling. You have to replace it with the new one if you find any damage, cracks, or other problems; otherwise, you should replace it.
Charging the fire extinguisher
Right Chemical or Agent to refill
Select the right chemical to use with your fire extinguisher, Whether it is a foam or water extortion, which is class A. Or it may be a dry powder (DCP) extortion, which is classified as D class. The chemical you need should be selected based on the type of fire extinguisher you have, its category, or its type.
Follow the instructions during fire extinguisher refilling
The fire extinguisher must now be refilled with exactly the specified chemical quantity. Pour the extinguishing agent into the cylinder using a plastic funnel.
Leftovers can be used.
The point is, if you are using reclaimed chemicals to fill the cylinder, a leftover extinguishing agent can also be inserted to replace it. New chemicals can also be added to fill the cylinder if the amount of remaining chemicals is insufficient. A different agent should not be mixed.
Once the valve has been refilled, reassemble it.
As soon as the cylinder has been refilled, the valve assembly needs to be reconnected before removing it from the cylinder. A properly tightened valve stem is essential. It is important to ensure that the gas in the cylinder is not leaked into the cylinder.
The use of residual chemical agents
Chemical residue should be removed through fire extinguisher cylinders. In addition to the dry chemical agent present in the home, the cylinder of a fire extinguisher is non-intoxicating and can be disposed of in the garbage. This trash agent can also be reused for refilling safety cylinders in the future.
An extinguisher that has been repressurized
Make sure the cylinder is on a stable and flat surface
Maintain the upright position of the fire extinguisher cylinder. Ensure the cylinder is placed on a secured, stable, and flat surface. Fire extinguishers should have a stand.
Be aware of:
When you connect the valve to the line for pressurizing, pressurize the line indicated in the owner's manual. In order to pressurize the cylinder, keep your distance from the cylinder and do not keep the pressure source for an extended period of time. In the event of a leak, spray the cylinder valve with water. Whenever there is a leak, the valve will display bubbles. Pressurizing adopters should not be removed until leakage has been thoroughly checked.
What is the best time for fire extinguisher refilling?
It is important to recharge fire extinguishers immediately after use so that the suppressant liquid and pressure are retained if they need to be used immediately for extinguishing fires. The following are a few instances in which recharging fire extinguishers is necessary.
Every time a fire extinguisher is used, it is necessary for them to be immediately recharged. It makes sense that even if the extinguishing agent inside the extinguisher has not been sufficiently discharged, it must also be maintained to ensure it is ready for use in the long run. Minimal discharges usually lead to leaks which eventually result in total pressure loss.
The fire extinguisher needs to be recharged regularly throughout their lives. The life of a fire extinguisher depends on its regular recharge. Service guidelines from the manufacturer, as well as NFPA 10 standards, in addition to recharging them periodically, no matter how much use they have had. When it comes to storing liquid fire extinguishers under pressure, they should be inspected and recharged every six and twelve years after they are manufactured.
The presence of visible damage, corrosion, or blockage of nozzles - It is important to inspect or recharge fire extinguishers that are affected by environmental degradation or other conditions which may lead to depressurization.
What is the best method for checking a fire extinguisher gauge?
It is recommended that businesses are encouraged to conduct annual fire extinguisher inspections, and an essential point that should be checked must be the pressure gauge on the fire extinguisher. You can see on the gauge whether there is an undercharge or an overcharge and if it is within the range of operation. To get the best results, ensure the needle is pointing within the green area. Pressure gauges that are set to "Recharge" actually read "Over Pressurized Range," so you should schedule an appointment with an emergency fire serviceman.
How do fire extinguishers refilling occur?
When your fire extinguisher is recharged, here are the things you can expect.
- There is a complete depressurization of the extinguisher, as well as the removal of the agent.
- Cylinder discharging is done by removing the discharge valve.
- Using the siphon tube, you remove the valve, along with the spring and stem.
- During the cleaning process, the technician replaces the o-ring in the valve neck and performs a visual inspection inside and outside of the unit.
- As soon as the valve is cleaned, it will be put back together as well as a new stem will be installed in order to prevent pressure loss in the future.
- Using weight, recharging the extinguishing agent is appropriate, according to the unit size and the proper recharge instructions.
- During recharging, as described in the instructions, a pressurizing gas is charged into the unit.
- A leak test is performed by the technician to determine whether there is any leakage, and then the nozzles of the hose are reinstalled.
- Additional weight measurement is conducted to ensure it falls within manufacturer-specified tolerances.
- The tamper seal is replaced with a safety pin, and a brand recharging tag is on each unit, identifying the weight of the unit as well as the name of the technician who was responsible for recharging it.
Conclusion
Although visual inspections may reveal an issue after you have used an extinguisher, it is imperative that you perform an in-depth inspection and perform fire extinguisher refilling in order to avoid any problems. No matter when their use is over, or if they have been depressurized, you can count on a team of trained technicians to ensure these extinguishers are properly charged and in compliance with regulatory requirements. In the event of a service need, technicians are on hand to assist you in avoiding scheduling appointments. Technicians are highly trained to ensure that a safety device is capable of being recharged safely. Afterward, they refill your tank in a timely and cost-effective manner. For damaged or non-rechargeable fire extinguishers, a professional can recommend a suitable replacement.
