FAQ

You need to follow a four-step process for using a fire extinguisher.

• Pull - Pull the pin of the extinguisher and that will break the tamper seal.
• Aim - You need to aim low, pointing the nozzle or hose of the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze - The third process is to squeeze the handle of the device to release the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep - Lastly, sweep from side to side at the base of the fire, the fuel source, until the fire is out.

There are certain steps that one has to keep in his mind while refilling a fire extinguisher.

• Purchase an extinguisher top-up chemical to refill your fire extinguisher.
• Detach the head or dome of the fire extinguisher properly.
• Place a funnel through the extinguisher.
• Discharge the extinguisher chemical into the container.
• Inspect the top's rubber seal of that particular extinguisher and twist the head back on.
• Put the fire extinguisher back in place.

Fire extinguisher which has a pressure gauge with a green needle that is considered good fire extinguisher. Because most of the fire extinguishers have pressure gauges with a red section and a green section.

A safety pin prevents the fire extinguisher from being discharged by accident. When it comes to the procedure of using a safety pin, you need to grab the ring and pull the pin out from the side of the handle. After this, hold the device so the nozzle is pointed away from you as now the extinguisher is ready to discharge.

A fire extinguisher can be used more than once. Once the fire extinguisher has been used, even for less time, it is advisable to recharge or refilled for further use. But, this refilling work can be done at a certified fire equipment dealer, depending on the type of extinguisher.

• Clean up dry chemical fire extinguisher residue or deposit
• Vacuum or sweep up loose rubble or debris
• Place a funnel through the extinguisher.
• Spray stuck-on residue with isopropyl alcohol diluted 50 percent with warm water
• To defuse sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate residue, apply a solution of 98 percent hot water and 2 percent vinegar

Yes, we can recycle fire extinguishers. You may contact your local fire department and find out if you can drop off expired fire extinguishers at the firehouse. In any case, if they don’t accept any old tank, you can go to a hazardous waste disposal facility.

The survey reveals that portable fire extinguishers are 95% effective in extinguishing fires.

Foam fire extinguishers are generally used to extinguish Class A and B types of fires. They are ideal to put out fires, which occur due to liquid substances such as petrol or diesel. Foam fire extinguishers are also suitable for that kind of fires, which happen on solids such as wood and paper.

Yes, inspection for any type of fire extinguisher should be conducted monthly. And, this inspection can be conducted by a person within the respective business, such as a Fire Warden. However, all the portable fire extinguishers must be thoroughly inspected every 6 years by a licensed technician, and every 12 years, those must be hydro tested for structural integrity and recharged.

A licensed technician can certify a fire extinguisher even for the brand new device.

There are mainly 5 different fire extinguishers available in the market, such as Water, Foam, Dry Powder, CO2, and Wet Chemical.

There are three ways to check the Fire Extinguishers’ inspection.

• Look at the fire extinguisher for checking whether any signs of physical damage, such as corrosion, leakage, or dents are there.
• Check the pressure gauge of the extinguisher accurately to make sure the indicator is in the operating range.
• Make sure the pull-pin is not missing.

The inspection cost for a fire extinguisher is dependent on its size or capacity. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it is recommended that fire extinguishers should be inspected at least once a year and costs around $40 (Rs. 2863.60 INR) per unit.

Any time after you use your fire extinguisher, it needs to be refilled before you can use it again. Fire extinguishers are ideally required to recharge or refill occasionally as part of their regular maintenance routine. It's advisable to have your extinguisher refilled by a trained fire safety professional.

Generally, a fire extinguisher lasts 5 to 15 years. The fact is that no fire extinguisher can last forever, even if there’s no expiration date for that particular device.

The best type of fire extinguisher for your home is ABC type fire extinguisher. This particular type of extinguisher helps cover Class A fires (caused due to flammable materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics), Class B fires (a fire triggered by combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease, and oil, etc.), and Class C fires (extinguish fires that contain electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers, and outlets).

Yes, the pin should be replaced as it could jam in an emergency. It is recommended to replace it by breaking the tamper seal, removing the old pin, inserting a new pin, and replacing the tamper seal. But, this replacement work should be performed by a competent person.

It is recommended to install powder extinguishers in vehicles as they give the greatest coverage.

You can place the fire extinguisher on the floor if it is on a stand. The stand protects the base of the extinguisher from compression from a cold floor, which can eventually cause corrosion.

As over the lifetime of an extinguisher, there may appear small signs of corrosion that are in non-critical places on the handle or another part of the extinguisher, hence, it is advisable to inspect the extinguisher examined by an engineer. He should examine the extinguisher to determine whether the corrosion is acceptable or not.

You can use cartridge operated extinguishers anywhere but, ideally, it is good for use in harsh environments or areas where they will be used regularly and refilled quickly in the field.

If the needle is still within the green section of the pressure gauge, then it is not considered as a problem. If it has crept into the red color, then the extinguisher needs attention immediately.

Yes, fire extinguishers can be sent via air, road, or sea freight if the company is shipping them with correct training.

Water cannot be used on fat fires. But you can use powder with its class A, B, and C rating to extinguish fat fires (class B).