Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist

If you own a business in the Southeast, you probably have fire extinguishers installed in strategic places as part of your fire safety plan. You already know to have your extinguishers inspected by a fire protection specialist once a year, but did you know you should be checking on certain things between visits? Once a month, perform the tasks on this fire extinguisher checklist to help your business remain code compliant and protected from fires.

Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist

Before you begin, understand that monthly self-inspections don’t replace the need for annual visits from a fire protection expert. They fill in the gaps to ensure your building is never left unprotected.

You can complete a monthly fire extinguisher inspection in only a few minutes. Just follow these steps:

• Check the locations of your fire extinguishers. Each one should be easy to see and not blocked by furniture or other obstructions. This ensures the canisters remain easily accessible when you need them most.
• Ensure everyone in your building knows where the nearest fire extinguisher is in proximity to their office or work area. This encourages the fastest, most effective response during a fire emergency. As a side note, every worker must feel comfortable using a fire extinguisher. For code compliance purposes, schedule training for new employees and repeat training once a year.
• Check that the locking pin is intact and the tamper seal is not broken. This means you can trust that the fire extinguisher has not been tampered with.
• Inspect the tank for physical damage, corrosion, or leaks. Ensure the nozzle isn’t clogged, the hose isn’t broken, and the handle isn’t wobbly or damaged.
• Examine the pressure gauge. It should be in the green to indicate a full charge. If the needle shows that the fire extinguisher is depressurized, it may have a leak or require a recharge following a prior use.
• Make sure the nameplate and operating instructions are legible, correct, and facing outward. Improper labeling could result in unsafe use of the fire extinguisher.
• Initial and date the back of the tag. This serves as a record of your monthly fire extinguisher inspection.
• Check the date on the tag indicating when the last professional inspection took place. If it’s been over a year, it’s time to call a fire protection company and schedule more in-depth services.
• Notify the safety department immediately if you find any defects among your building’s fire extinguishers. You will need the canisters recharged, repaired, or replaced as soon as possible.

Schedule an Annual Fire Extinguisher Inspection

Your monthly inspections are an important part of ensuring that your extinguishers are ready to put out fires at a moment’s notice. However, annual visits include more steps and are essential for code compliance and insurance purposes.

Unifour Fire & Safety is qualified to perform fire extinguisher inspections for commercial buildings in the Southeast. If your building is due for an inspection, please contact us today to set an appointment.

Choose Unifour Fire & Safety for all your fire protection services, from fire sprinkler installation to fire alarm repair to kitchen fire suppression system testing. We serve businesses in the Southeast, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.