The Surprising Benefits of Proper Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Inspection

Posted on: July 11, 2017

An experienced technician goes above and beyond making sure that your fire safety equipment works

Annual maintenance of fire extinguishers is often looked at as just another business expense. In reality, it’s a necessity to comply with certification under NFPA 10. NPFA 10 is a set of guidelines established by fire safety professionals with the National Fire Protection Association that has been adopted by the state of Florida. It ensures that portable fire extinguishers will work as intended as the first line of defense against a fire of limited scope.

Provided that you choose a fire extinguisher maintenance contractor with the necessary accreditations, a good technician doesn’t just make sure that the extinguishers work – he or she will look at all factors to ensure that your property is adequately protected in the event of a fire. In this blog we’ll highlight some underappreciated benefits that come from regular fire extinguisher maintenance visits.

Assessing any new equipment or processes

While a fire extinguisher technician’s primary role at your company is to service any portable fire extinguishers in accordance with NPFA 10, other elements will be evaluated during an inspection. These may include consideration of how recently relocated offices or equipment, new machinery, changes in certain processes, or the manufacture of new products, among many other factors, alter how your facility needs to be protected. Your fire risk levels may have increased or decreased since the last inspection. And these are risks that you may not know about without enlisting the services of a reputable contractor.

Ensuring that equipment is located correctly, with no signs of tampering

A reliable contractor will ensure that all of your fire extinguishers are not only operating properly, but positioned correctly as well. Before hiring any maintenance company, make sure that its technicians are highly trained, properly credentialed, and use NPFA 10 documentation as a reference. All of the technicians at LifeSafety Management are graduates of the Florida State Fire College and hold a permit issued by the Florida State Fire Marshal to service fire equipment.

Evaluating the design of well-marked escape routes

Because fire extinguisher technicians are well versed in all necessary federal and state standards, they’ll also notice any issues with escape routes and required warning signs at your property. Your contractor will advise you of any changes that are necessary to adhere to government regulations regarding clearly-marked means of escape in the event of a fire.

Providing you with documentation

According to NPFA 10, building owners must have documentation that fire extinguishers are properly maintained by a state-licensed fire equipment dealer and state-permitted fire extinguisher inspectors on an annual basis. Therefore, it’s imperative that your technician fills out detailed information on each fire extinguisher tag located within your facility. It is a requirement that all fire extinguishers serviced at your site are documented with a serial number, location, type, and service performed, and this documentation is required to be on site with the equipment for inspection by your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Are your fire extinguishers being properly maintained?

Are you second guessing whether your building is up to code and that all fire safety equipment is properly maintained? If so, contact the fire safety experts at LifeSafety Management today by phone at (800) 330-1158 or by filling out our online contact form. Our experienced technicians will make sure that your property’s fire extinguishers, emergency lights, and exit signs are inspected and maintained, and provide you with practical and economical solutions to remedy any issues.