When it comes to ensuring that no fire breaks out in a premise, it is crucial to keep a fire extinguisher handy. However, a lot of individuals are confused if they need to refill or replace a fire extinguisher. A good thing to keep in mind is that “recharge” refers to adding pressure to an extinguisher whereas a “refill” refers to adding an agent to the fire extinguisher. What this means is that by refilling your fire extinguisher the unit needs to be opened so that more agents can be added. Once the pressure is released, the extinguisher has to be re-pressurized or recharged.
In many cases, it has been observed that extinguishers are prone to having slow leaks. It means that agents will be lost during these leaks. These leaks are relatively hard to detect and the agents will dissipate at a snails pace. In such cases, pressure will be lost so the extinguisher will be recharged rather than being refilled. In order to check the pressure of the extinguisher, the gauge must be checked regularly. At the same time, it is important to know if your fire extinguisher can be recharged or not. All units are not the same, so it is key to understand if the fire extinguisher is disposable or rechargeable. It is a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher handy, but at the same time, it is also recommended that fire doors should be installed to add another layer of safety. NAVAIR manufactures excellent fire doors that can withstand fire for up to 60-120 minutes, depending on its build.
One never knows the extent of the blaze, so even if a small amount of agent was used, it is recommended to add an agent to it. It is best to be prepared with a fully charged and fully filled unit. If one has a powder extinguisher, it is best to get it serviced after every use. The reason being the smallest amount of powder can cause the dip tube to be filled with powder causing pressure leaks. This renders the fire extinguisher useless for future uses. In colleges and universities, fire curtains will be able to withhold fires, but in labs, it is crucial to have a fire extinguisher handy along with a fire curtain. While fire curtains are useful to contain a fire, a fire extinguisher can eliminate the fire at its point of origin. A fire extinguisher absolutely has to be replaced in case the nozzle is damaged or broken, the pin handle is missing or broken, the handle is wobbly, the unit is cracked, or the inspection tag is missing.
With the right fire fighting tool by your side, you can easily overcome intense fires while being safe, and NAVAIR products help you do the same.
