Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguisher maintenance

Fire extinguishers are first intervention equipment in fire extinguishing. Its importance stems from its easy handling, immediate availability and possibility of being used by a single person. They also allow quick start of extinguishing actions, in the initial phase of a fire. In addition to the proper maintenance of fire extinguishers, their proper installation, type, capacity, effectiveness, number of equipment required depending on the risk, their signaling and correct use.

What does the law say about fire extinguisher maintenance?

The maintenance of fire extinguishers is regulated by Portuguese Standard 4413:2019, which states the obligation of annual maintenance of this equipment by a company certified by the same standard.

Depending on each fire extinguisher and following the criteria defined in NP 4413: 2019, the type of operation to which the fire extinguisher will be submitted will depend on the date of manufacture of the fire extinguisher, which must be stamped on the extinguisher body and the latest maintenance and loading dates, which must be indicated in the extinguisher’s last maintenance report and on its maintenance label.

Fire Extinguisher Types

Although there are several other types of fire extinguishers and variations of them, these are the most sold:

– Dry chemical – Mainly used in more common hazardous locations such as office buildings and buildings with occupations characterized by a relatively low fire risk.

– Additivated Water – Effective in extinguishing solid fuel fires such as wood

– Carbon Dioxide – It has the advantage of not leaving residues after application, making it ideal for protecting equipment and electrical panels, as it is not a conductor of electrical current.

Tasks to be performed

This proposal assumes the performance of the following tasks, by each fire extinguisher, according to NP4413: 2019:

– External verification

– Maintenance tag

– Stamp

– Label

– Pressure gauge and control

– Hose and diffuser

Fire extinguisher opening (in the case of powder or water fire extinguishers)

It will necessarily be necessary to open the fire extinguisher if the following are detected:

– Pressure loss, partial discharge or lack of lock pin;

– Expiration date defined by the manufacturer or by the company with certified maintenance service, exceeded;

– Failure to carry out previous annual maintenance or previous maintenance carried out by companies without the certified maintenance service;

– Any other circumstance or anomaly that in Extinçor’s opinion justifies the opening.

– If it is necessary to charge the fire extinguisher (except for carbon dioxide fire extinguishers)

Tasks to be performed in case the fire extinguisher is opened

– Fire extinguisher units (powder or water fire extinguishers)

– Loading

– Weighing the fire extinguisher

– Discharge mechanism

– Assembly of accessories/components (powder or water fire extinguishers)

– Gaskets and hose/diffuser

– Assembly and pressurization

– Watertightness

After completion of maintenance or loading, the maintenance label and the maintenance report are filled out.