Take a minute to look around your room. Don’t get up and move, just look. Is there a fire extinguisher in sight? Do you know where the closest fire extinguisher is?
Fire extinguishers are your first line of defense against your business going down in a blaze. They protect not just your property, but the lives of yourself and your employees. If you aren’t sure where to find one in your business, then it’s time to improve your fire safety.
The most important thing to know about fire extinguishers is that they’re made to stop fires before they spread. The U.S. Fire Administration states that a fire doubles in size every 30 seconds. When we’re talking about a fire in your business, every second counts. In this article, we’re covering all of the fire extinguisher basics to protect your business.
There are 5 classifications for fire extinguishers:
Class A — Prevents combustible fires from items such as wood, paper, textiles, or plastic.
Class B — Prevent fires from flammable liquids such as grease, gas, oil, or paint.
Class C — Put out electrical fires in motors, transformers, or other electrical equipment.
Class D — These extinguishers are for flammable metals such as potassium, lithium, or sodium.
Class K — Class K extinguishers are for cooking greases and oils such as animal and vegetable fats.
Each of these fire extinguishers are designed for a specific purpose. If you use the wrong type of extinguisher on a fire, you can risk making it worse. For more information, see our full article on how to choose the right fire extinguisher.
The NFPA uses a helpful acronym to help you and your employees remember how to operate a fire extinguisher correctly: PASS
Practice these steps a few times and make sure you know them well. After all, what use is a fire extinguisher you don’t know how to operate?
Throwing away a fire extinguisher with the rest of your trash can be harmful to the environment.
Not only can CO2 canisters cause a risk of popping in a trash compactor, but the contents of the fire extinguisher are generally not biodegradable.
Follow these steps to properly dispose of your extinguisher:
For further information on how to dispose of your fire extinguisher, or for a more detailed description on how to use your fire extinguisher, see our article about how to operate your extinguisher.
Throughout history, humans have developed a number of different ways to fight fires. From the times of the Romans discovering water pressure to the industrial revolution introducing gas and oil, you can read our full article about the history of the fire extinguisher.
It’s not always convenient to store a full-sized extinguisher in some locations, such as a work vehicle. In that case, we recommend using smaller, portable fire extinguishers. They offer the same great protection as a full-sized version, but in a more convenient size.
Did you know that the minute you use an extinguisher, it begins to slowly lose pressure? You can get the most out of your fire extinguisher by having it recharged after you use it rather than throwing it out. We offer recharges, which are a more cost-effective solution than buying a new one.
When was the last time you inspected the fire extinguishers throughout your business? Did you know that fire extinguishers must be inspected annually? Regular maintenance and inspections keep your extinguishers in working condition so that they’re always ready in an emergency.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to use your fire extinguisher or what steps you need to take to maintain it, see our full article on fire extinguisher maintenance and use.
Fire Extinguishers have saved countless lives throughout the years. What’s important is how many more can be saved with the proper training and maintenance. Taking a few extra precautions like checking your pressure gauges and having a yearly inspection done on your fire extinguisher can be a matter of life and death.
Stopping a fire starts with prevention, and successful prevention starts with the proper training. Some of our other top fire extinguisher tips include:
Remember, fire extinguishers are only meant to deal with fires that are still small. Once a fire has spread to the majority of a room, you should evacuate and not attempt to use a handheld extinguisher.
FPS Technologies offers inspections, recharges, and fire extinguisher training for businesses so you and your team are prepared for an emergency. Contact us today for assistance with your fire extinguishers.