As an employer, it is your job to make sure that your employees are able to perform their responsibilities in a safe environment. Not only is this safety expected, but it is also the law. If you fail to remove known hazards and keep your workplace free of unnecessary risks, you could be setting yourself up for some stiff penalties. Fire is always a risk, and it is one that you want to guard against by any means necessary. You may practice fire prevention by installing smoke alarms and making sure that there is a fire extinguisher on every floor. Although this is definitely wise, you also have to think about the condition of your extinguishers. Investing in regular fire extinguisher maintenance is an activity that can be very beneficial in more ways than one.
Maintenance Ensures A Working Extinguisher When You Need It Most
Because you probably don't use your fire extinguishers very often, it's relatively easy to gloss over the need for maintenance. Unused fire extinguishers often look brand-new for many years. This can be very misleading because even though you've never had to use the extinguishers, that doesn't mean that they haven't started to malfunction in some way.
For example, the powerful blast of carbon dioxide that is emitted from an extinguisher when you pull the trigger is able to douse a flame due to the speed at which it comes out of the device. When your extinguisher is properly charged, you can actually put out a fire from a considerable distance away. You'll be able to remain safe because you are not as close to the fire as you would have to be if the pressure had died down.
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Checks For Flaws
When you have consistent fire extinguisher maintenance, you can rest assured that the pressure will be there in an emergency. Not only does the inspector check the pressure dial, but they also make sure that the contents of the extinguisher haven't diminished due to time or altitude. If you or someone in the building ever needs to grab the extinguisher and quench a growing fire, you can rest assured that you have working tools that are able to take care of the task.
Caring for your fire extinguishers is a very important way to maintain the safety of your building. Set up a time to have your fire extinguishers serviced, and plan on making it a regular occurrence.