What needs to be performed during a monthly inspection for fire extinguishers (F/Es)? First, look for any damage. This is a visual check where we note any considerable wear or impairment to any portion of F/E components. This can include a dented or punctured cylinder. Next look to see if parts such as the release lever or handle are intact. Next, check the pull pin. It should be secured with breakable plastic tie. A typical plastic tie is NOT appropriate as this type of item does not easily break; thus, causing a problem to remove the pull pin. Remember that a fire can double in size every 30 seconds, so the faster we can respond, the better.
Check the pressure gauge. The indicator needle needs to be directly on the green portion. Having the indicator needle pointing outside (even a little bit) is reason to remove the F/E from service.
Of course, check to verify you have the right F/E for the work being performed. A type ABC means that the F/E is appropriate to apply on combustibles (wood, cloth, etc.), or flammables (gasoline, diesel, oils, etc.), as well as electrical components (computers, circuit boards and control panels).
Next, pick up the F/E and turn it upside down. The agent inside the extinguisher can settle at the bottom and can get packed over time. Turning the F/E upside down a few of times breaks up the extinguishing agent, keeping the extinguishant material fluid.
After your inspection, you need to document your monthly inspection by signing the inspection tag. This is a simple process of adding your initials and date of the inspection. Many times, the F/E does not have a tag. Maybe it was inadvertently ripped off through aggressive handling during project mobilization or – what I suspect – when a F/E is secured to a truck bed, making the tag susceptible to being torn away through repeated contact with winds created during driving. I have recently created sticker-type inspection tags and therefore should help to prevent this problem.
Remember, F/Es are designed to be effective during a fire’s incipient stage. Once a fire has grown past its initial period, do not attempt to extinguish the fire. At this point the fire has grown to a size that is beyond any F/E’s capability. Leave the area immediately and inform all coworkers to evacuate! Then call the local fire department.
For first aid kits, an inspection tag can be placed inside the kit (many portable kits these days are made of cloth material, making it difficult for an inspection tag to stick on a surface). If the kit is made of metal or some other hard material, then the inspection tag can be placed (i.e. stuck on) on a surface inside the kit. Like a F/E inspection tag, the persons’ initials and date should be entered. Also, having a tag attached on a kits’ handle may not be adequate as typical handling may cause the tag to wear and eventually be illegible or even tear off the kit. Monthly inspections should include a verification of the supplies. If gauze pads or adhesive bandages are missing, it is mandatory that they are replaced – immediately.
One last piece of advice for first aid kits. The time to check for the materials and supplies in a first aid kit is at the beginning of the project. Not when you need an item.
I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating