Fire extinguishers are important safety tools that help to protect homes, places of business, and other types of property. According to Brandon Gaille, a fire extinguisher can put out about 80% of all types of fires. Whether you have one fire extinguisher or several, you have to maintain them to make sure they work as intended when needed. Here are four tips to help you to maintain yours so that you have added protection against a potential fire.

1. Inspect Fire Extinguishers Monthly

A visual inspection should be done at least once a month can help to make sure any fire extinguishers that you have are in good condition. If you notice any kind of damage to the cylinder, you should replace the unit with a new one. A dented container might cause a leak that makes the extinguisher useless. All other parts likewise should be in good condition as determined by your monthly visual inspection.

2. Check the Gauges and Hoses

It is very important to ensure the gauges and hoses on fire extinguishers are in good working order. You should check the hose for signs of cracking or dry rot which might lead to leakage – especially near the nozzle and where the hose attaches to the cylinder. It is also important for the gauge to be in good working order so that you can tell whether or not the extinguisher has an appropriate amount of pressure.

3. Pressure Test Fire Extinguishers

A fire extinguisher that lacks pressure would be useless if a fire were to break out. It would be powerless to stop it without adequate pressure to spray the fire retardant. You can check the pressure gauge to ensure the fire extinguisher is holding an acceptable level of pressure in case it is needed to put out a fire. If it lacks pressure, you should have it fixed or replace it with a new one.

4. Schedule Annual Service of Extinguishers

The best way to ensure your fire extinguishers are in their best condition is to schedule an annual service by local experts. A service that is dedicated to fire safety and provides maintenance, repair, and replacement of your existing fire extinguishers is ideal. The experts can inspect, test, and identify which fire extinguishers are in good condition and which ones should be repaired or replaced.

Are you in need of fire extinguisher inspections or maintenance? If so, FireTron is the name you can trust for all your fire safety needs. Contact us today to learn more.