Fire Extinguishers
| Maintenance Categories | Role of the Fire Extinguisher |
Sterling Fire & Safety Services is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which is an international, non-profit, membership organization founded in 1896 to protect people, their property, and the environment from destructive fire. The inspection, testing and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers must conform to NFPA 10, as required by the B.C. Fire Code. Our extinguisher inspection reports reflect a 29 point check, in six categories, as specified by the NFPA.
Portable fire extinguishers must undergo certain periodic inspections. These include:
- Annual Inspection: is performed once per year and includes a 29 point check.
- 6 Year Maintenance: is a thorough examination of the extinguisher. It is intended to give maximum assurance that the extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. Once the examination is complete, the extinguisher is refilled reusing the existing powder.
The approximate cost, depending on size, is $15.00. - 12 Year Maintenance (Hydrostatic Testing): is performed in conjunction with a 6 year maintenance once every twelve years. Pressure is used to test the integrity of the cylinder and, when testing is completed, the extinguisher is refilled reusing the existing powder.
The approximate cost, depending on size, is $10.00 for the 12 Year plus the $15.00 for the 6 Year. - Recharge: is performed on an extinguisher that has been used or is empty. This is a 6 year maintenance using new powder for refilling.
The approximate cost, depending on size, is $22.50.
Portable Fire Extinguishers are intended as a first line of defense to cope with fires of limited size. They are needed even if the property is equipped with automatic sprinklers, standpipes and hoses, or other fixed protection equipment.
It is important to know about the different types of fires and extinguishers best suited to fight them.
Fire Extinguishers are rated by the type of fire on which they would be expected to be used. These fire types are divided into classes "A," "B," "C," "D" as defined below:
Class A: Fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics. Class A fires are generally extinguished by the heat-absorbing (cooling) effects of water, the coating effects of certain dry chemicals, or interrupting the combustion chain reaction by halogenated agents.
Class B: Fires in flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, greases, and similar materials. Class B fires are generally extinguished by excluding air, inhibiting the release of combustible vapours, or interrupting the combustion chain reaction.
Class C: Fires in live electrical equipment where there is a potential electrical shock hazard. Agents used on these fires must be nonconductive, such as dry chemical, carbon dioxide or halogenated agents.
Class D: Fires in certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, and potassium. Class D fires require a heat-absorbing extinguishing medium that does not react with the burning metals.
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