How to Properly Maintain a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are a valuable piece of equipment that should be kept in every household. They can save lives and property, but only if they are properly maintained. Fire extinguishers should be inspected at least once a month. Inspect the cylinder, hoses and nozzle for signs of rust, cracks, leaks or clogs. Make sure the pressure is in the normal range. If any of these are found, the extinguisher should be taken out of service and contacted the fire marshal’s office to be recharged.

The most important thing to remember when using a fire extinguisher is that you should never put yourself in danger. If you don’t feel comfortable fighting the fire yourself, let the firefighters do it.

It is also important to know what type of fire you are trying to extinguish. This will help you choose the correct type of fire extinguisher to use. Before attempting to use a fire extinguisher, it is critical to have an exit or means of escape open and clear. This is especially important if the fire starts spreading and you can’t control it.

Class A: Fires fueled by wood, paper, cloth and some plastics. Class B: Fires fueled by flammable liquids such as gasoline and oil. Class C: Fires caused by live electrical equipment such as computers and appliances. Class D: Fires fueled by combustible metals such as magnesium and lithium.

A fire extinguisher is a metal canister that holds a chemical agent and is charged with pressurized gas. The chemical is released by pulling a pin or activating a lever. The handle or nozzle on the hose is then used to direct a jet of liquid or powder onto the fire. The fire is extinguished by suffocating the flames with the agent, which reaches and penetrates deeper into burning materials to stop their chemical reaction.

Most modern fire extinguishers are cartridge-operated dry chemicals (classes A and BC) or carbon dioxide (class D). They have the advantage of being easy to recharge, as the operator simply removes a seal and replaces it with a fresh cartridge. These extinguishers are typically affixed to the wall, often near an escape route or in a fire-resistant cabinet. Older types of fire extinguishers were often private label versions of major brands sold by fire apparatus manufacturers to match their trucks. These are now considered collectibles in their own right.

Manually applied dry agents such as graphite or copper have been around since World War II, but it was not until 1949 that Ansul introduced the first pressurized extinguisher. The ABC dry chemical was developed in the 1950s, with Super-K and Purple-K being invented later. Cartridge-operated extinguishers are still the most popular in residential settings, but stored pressure units containing water, wetting agent or foam are available.