Importance of Fire Safety Equipment – Use and Upkeep.

12/3/2021 (Permalink)

Importance of Fire Safety Equipment – Use and Upkeep.

While you may not always be thinking about your fire safety equipment in your home, it is crucially important to maintain your Fire Safety Equipment.

Fire Extinguishers

      While you do not expect a fire, you need to expect the unexpected, in order to be prepared.  Fire Extinguishers have stopped hundreds of thousands of fires from becoming out of control and creating total losses. Fire extinguishers save lives, homes, and buildings. To operate one, a common phrase is used - PASS.  Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. 

PULL- Pull the pin outward. Pull until the tamper seal is broken.

AIM- Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire (lowest point of fire)

SQUEEZE - Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.  

SWEEP- Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out.

Fire extinguishers do not last forever.  To find out if your fire extinguisher is expired, look for a date on the body of the cylinder.  If it is expired, purchase a new one.  If there is no date, either purchase a new one or get that one serviced by a professional. 

For upkeep, first, make sure the fire extinguisher is in a convenient safe place.  Check for damage such as dents, rust, cracks or corrosion. You also want to make sure the gauge’s needle is pointed toward the green ‘charged’ portion.  If you see that the extinguisher is damaged or low on charge, replace it.  You can purchase fire extinguishers at many large outlet stores along with hardware stores. 

Smoke Detectors/ Alarms

Smoke detectors save lives.  Once again, thousands of fires have been detected and alarms activated before fires caused fatal or total loss damages.  There are many different types of smoke detectors.  Some are wire connected throughout the house, some are battery operated singularly.  Either way, they are to be put in every room of the house. 

The most important upkeep of smoke detectors is to keep them charged and test them every month.  Most are battery operated and you must test each one to make sure they are working properly.  Press and hold the test button on the smoke detector. It can take a few seconds to begin, but a loud, ear-piercing siren should emanate from the smoke detector while the button is pressed. If the sound is weak or nonexistent, replace the batteries.

While you cannot control when the fire happens, you can control the fire with the right equipment.  Most businesses and some homes are also equipped with a sprinkler system.  Mandatory however, is the smoke detectors, alarms and having at least one fire extinguisher in your home.  These pieces of equipment save lives and are to be inspected and maintained regularly. 

SERVPRO of Fredericksburg will always be around to help with the aftermath.  But we want you to be prepared for when disaster strikes.  Keep your safety equipment maintained and up to par!  If you need us, call us, we are here 24/7 for you.  

SERVPRO of Fredericksburg

540-373-7000