5 Reasons Why Fire Extinguishers Fail an Inspection

Fire extinguishers are often the first line of defense for your business, providing your staff members with a quick and easy way to contain small fires before they get out of control. However, if your fire extinguishers are not in good shape, they can cause more harm than good — making staff members feel safe when they are in danger from a quickly spreading fire. Failing your annual fire inspection is a big deal that can result in fire inspectors forcing you to make costly changes to your fire protection strategies or even closing your business if you are not able to remediate the problems. Here are the 5 most common reasons your fire extinguishers might cause your business to fail a fire inspection.

1. Extensive Physical Damage to Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are relatively simple machines, but it all too easy for them to become damaged. When you are moving fire extinguishers between locations or when your entire office moves, it is important to carefully check over the fire extinguishers to be sure they did not suffer any dents or dings in the move. Another thing to watch out for is rust or other physical imperfections in your fire extinguisher, as they can all cause your business to fail a fire inspection.

2. Is Your Fire Extinguisher Material Leaking?

A fire extinguisher that is losing pressure may have a slow leak, which is a sure sign that there has been some damage to this life-saving equipment. You can quickly check for leaks by looking at the pressure gauge, or by requesting a review by your local fire protection professionals if there are any questions about whether material is leaking from your fire extinguishers.

3. Labels That Are Missing or Faded

It may not seem important to have the labels in good shape on your fire extinguishers, but this is one of the key items that fire inspectors are looking for in order to pass. Key labels are a required part of every review, as they can contain instructions for use of the extinguisher as well as the maintenance history of the extinguisher.

4. Deterioration of the O-Rings or Hose Blockage

While it can be difficult to see, there’s always the possibility that the fire extinguisher hose has become blocked over time due to deterioration. This type of damage can be nearly invisible to the naked eye, but can severely limit the functionality of your fire extinguisher. Fire marshals are keen to find fire extinguishers that are damaged or non-functional in some way, as they are often the quickest way to keep a fire from spreading.

5. Is Your Fire Extinguisher Ready for a Recharge?

You may think that a minimal use of a fire extinguisher isn’t enough to warrant a recharge, but you would be wrong! As soon as a fire extinguisher has been used, you need to immediately make arrangements to have it recharged. It’s too easy to forget about this little maintenance issue or leave it for another day, but the fire inspector will be on the lookout for fire extinguishers that aren’t completely charged.

Preventing catastrophic failure of your fire prevention and protection systems starts with regular reviews of your fire readiness. No one likes to think about the potential damage that a fire can cause, but taking the time to keep everything in excellent working order is the best way to protect your staff members, customers and physical building assets. Have questions about your fire readiness? Call the professionals at AAA Fire Protection today at 855-356-0020 to learn more or receive a free initial estimate for your business.