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Fire Extinguisher Monthly Inspection

Visual inspections Portable fire extinguishers are required to be visually inspected when initially placed in service and at least monthly thereafter [see NFPA 10(98), Sections 4-3.1]. These visual inspections, intended to help ensure that each extinguisher is in its designated place and will operate if needed, can be performed by facility staff. A pressure gauge in the “normal” or “operable” range is not a 100 percent guaranty that the extinguisher will perform as intended. A broken seal, for example, may be an indication that someone has used the extinguisher and discharged a portion of the contents too small to affect the pressure gauge. NFPA 10(98), Sec. 4-3.2, therefore, requires that the monthly inspection verify a number of things including: • Extinguishers are in their designated places • There are no obstructions to access or visibility • Safety seals are not broken or missing • There is no evidence of physical damage, corrosion, leakage or clogged nozzle • Pressure gauge readings are in the proper range or position • Operating instructions are legible and facing outward • Fullness – confirmed by weighing or lifting

Fire Extinguisher Annual Maintenance

“Maintenance” is a thorough examination and repair, as needed, of your facility’s portable fire extinguishers and is covered in NFPA 10(98), Sec. 4-4. Maintenance is required at least once a year – more frequently when indicated by a routine monthly inspection, as discussed earlier. Maintenance is also required whenever extinguishers undergo hydrostatic testing. Because maintenance is required to include a thorough examination of the mechanical parts, extinguishing agent and expelling means of each portable fire extinguisher, it must be performed by an approved extinguisher servicing company. A more detailed look at what annual maintenance entails can be found in NFPA 10

Fire Extinguisher 6 year Maintenance

Every 6 years, stored pressure fire extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test (e.g. dry chemical extinguishers) must be emptied and proper maintenance procedures performed [see NFPA 10(98), Sec. 4-4.3]. The exception to this rule is nonrechargeable extinguishers, which are required to be removed from service 12 years from the date of manufacture. Again, this maintenance must be performed by an approved extinguisher servicing company.

Fire Extinguisher HydroTest

At certain intervals, fire extinguishers are required to be pressure tested using water or some other noncompressible fluid to help prevent unwanted failure or rupture of the cylinder [see NFPA 10(98), Chapter 5]. This is called hydrostatic testing and includes both an internal and external examination of the cylinder. Because this testing requires special training and equipment, it needs to be performed by an approved extinguisher servicing company. Hydrostatic testing intervals for fire extinguishers are outlined in NFPA 10(98), Sec. 5-2 and Table 5- 2. Test intervals for some of the most commonly found extinguishers are as follows: • Pressurized water, carbon dioxide and wet chemical extinguishers – every 5 years • Dry chemical extinguishers – every 12 years

Scott NFPA Airpaks

SCOTT recommends that this respirator be inspected and tested by a
SCOTT Authorized Service Center using SCOTT Authorized Test Equipment
at least once a year. Heavy use and/or severe service conditions
may require more frequent inspection and testing. This recommendation
is in addition to all other cleaning and maintenance procedures.
In addition, all air cylinders used with SCOTT respirators must be periodically
visually inspected and hydrostatically tested by a licensed cylinder
retester. The cylinder inspection and test must be done in accordance
with the appropriate US Department of Transportation (DOT) specification
or the applicable DOT exemption. 
Because this respirator may be used to support human life in a hazardous
atmosphere, do not attempt maintenance beyond that described in
this instruction or in the SCOTT Specialist Level Maintenance Training
Manual. If disassembly or adjustment other than described in this instruction
or the SCOTT Specialist Level Maintenance Training Manual is found
to be required, the respirator must be serviced by a SCOTT Authorized
Service Center in accordance with the appropriate SCOTT Technician
Service Manuals. Service by a SCOTT Authorized Service Center can
be arranged through your authorized SCOTT distributor or by contacting
SCOTT Safety.

Scott Industrial Airpaks

SCOTT recommends that this respirator be checked, both visually and
functionally, by a SCOTT Authorized Service Center using SCOTT
Authorized Test Equipment at least every two years3. However, heavy
use and/or severe service conditions may require more frequent
testing. This recommendation is in addition to all other cleaning and
maintenance procedures. The SCOTT Specialist Level Maintenance
Modules containing additional maintenance information is available
on request from SCOTT Health Safety.
In addition to the visual and functional test of the respirator by a
SCOTT Authorized Service Center, all air cylinders used with SCOTT
respirators must be periodically visually inspected and hydrostatically
tested by a licensed cylinder re-tester. The cylinder inspection and test
must be done in accordance with the appropriate US Department of
Transportation (DOT) specification or the applicable DOT exemption
or in accordance with the appropriate Transport Canada (TC) Permit
of Equivalent Level of Safety.
Because this respirator may be used to support human life in a hazardous
atmosphere, the user should not attempt maintenance beyond
that described in this instruction or in the SCOTT Specialist Level
Maintenance Modules. If disassembly or adjustment other than described
in this instruction or the SCOTT Specialist Level Maintenance
Modules is found to be required, the respirator must be serviced by a
SCOTT Authorized Service Facility in accordance with the appropriate
SCOTT Service Manuals. Service by a SCOTT Authorized Service
Facility can be arranged through your authorized SCOTT Distributor
or by contacting SCOTT Safety.

Use of Refurbished SCBA_021419[50835].jp
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