We are a Veterans Administration Authorized Medical Foster Home and as one of our requirements to have the veterans live with us we are required to do a 30 day inspection on the Fire Extinguisher that we have placed in our kitchen in a very open and reachable location. The Fire Ext. has to be in serviceable condition at all times, no cracks in the hose, pressure in the “green” zone and the instructions and all tags must be visible. These conditions must be met as each year we have the Fire Marshall come and inspect the same extinguisher, and it must pass muster or else we lose the veterans.
Attached is a picture of a portable fire extinguisher located in the township building in Warwick PA. It has its cert. tag in place, tamper clip (Plastic) and the tag has the inspectors initials as well as the month and year it was inspected. this F.E. was found to be in compliance of 2012 International Fire Code regulations.
The area of review was Fire extinguisher maintenance and inspection as well as fire safety for the home.
There are many types of fire extinguishers on the market with different classes eg.
A = is for wood, paper, common trash
B = is for gasoline, oil, paint, and other flammable liquids
C = is for electrical fires
D = is for combustible metals
K = is for cooking fires of vegetable or animal oils and fats
The type that is recommended for a home is a combination fire extinguisher ABC class and these extinguishers should be inspected monthly to ensure they are ready to use in case of an emergency.
Portable fire extinguisher:
Home has a portable fire extinguisher located in the attached garage near entrance door to home. At the time of inspection the extinguisher was showing full. It is a type A, B, & C and the types of fires it can be used on are pictured on the label for easy reference.
Reading and writing assignment:
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Inspection
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
Fire extinguishers come in several different types and no one extinguisher can be used for all applications. The wrong extinguisher can cause injury to the user as well as make the fire worse. They should be located in a easy to reach area and be unobstructed. The unit should be fully charged with no damage to any part including the label and have no modifications.
Fire Safety for the Home
by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko
Fires in the home can come from a wide variety of items including lightning, faulty electrical and poor judgment by occupants with fire related material. Everyone should have a escape plan in place as well as a safe meeting location outside of the building in the event of fire. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers should be installed in the home and monthly inspections should be made.
This PFE was last inspected in 2012. A brief inspection of the PFE showed it was in working condition. The client was encouraged to be more faithful in having the PFE checked.
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Inspection gives the inspector a quick overview of the 5 classes of fires and the types of extinguishers that are appropriate for the class of fire. It also gives a brief reminder of how to inspect PFE, as well as basic information of labels and expiration.
Fire Safety for the Home provides 8 basic tips for residents of all ages to keep in mind. These may seem like duh-material, but people are people, and reminders can be helpful. The article proceeds to give 11 common-sense tips ranging from candles to smoke detectors to extension cords to dryer lint. It wraps up with helpful suggestions concerning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Great class really learned a lot
The image above shows a portable fire extinguisher that must be inspected every thirty days. While inspecting, it’s important to make sure it’s full simply by lifting; the pressure gauge should be reading in the operable position, the label is in place and the discharge hose is not cracked or broken. The bottle should be examined for any physical damage, including corrosion or denting.
The extinguisher should be kept in a designated place without any obstructions to access. Safety seals should be unbroken. If they are broken they need to be fixed with approved material.
The inspection tag should be initialed by the inspector every thirty-days.
A portable fire extinguisher must be inspected every thirty days. While inspecting, it’s important to make sure it’s full simply by lifting; the pressure gauge should be reading in the operable position, the label is in place and the discharge hose is not cracked or broken. The bottle should be examined for any physical damage, including corrosion or denting.
The extinguisher should be kept in a designated place without any obstructions to access. Safety seals should be unbroken. If they are broken they need to be fixed with approved material.
The inspection tag should be initialed by the inspector every thirty-days.
From “Inspecting Portable Fire Extinguishers” online video course - Page 2 - InterNACHI Inspection Forum](http://www.nachi.org/forum/f74/inspecting-portable-fire-extinguishers-online-video-course-76419/index2.html#post1421429#ixzz3t6SP1jag) http://www.nachi.org/forum/f74/inspecting-portable-fire-extinguishers-online-video-course-76419/index2.html#post1421429#ixzz3t6SP1jag
The garage inspection article raises some good points on why modifications are potentially dangerous. Its scary to think a relatively new build could collapse due to improper substitutions. Why a builder would choose to shortcut like that is beyond me!
Abrasive blasting using dry ice or baking soda, combined with HEPA-filter vacuuming, is an effective method for mold remediation. Inspectors who offer ancillary mold inspection services should be aware of the benefits and applications of this technique. Home buyers will undoubtedly want to know what can be done and how.
The attached picture of the fire extinguisher tag clearly shows that it is current and up to code. The physical condition of the components i.e. the cylinder has no rust and no dents, hose, pill pin, paper tag and instructional plate with readable wording are all in exceptional condition. The glass in the housing is clean and is not damaged i.e. cracked or shattered. The fire extinguisher is not only visible but also has no obstruction in an emergency.
The fire extinguisher is strategically located evenly spaced in the sequence of the last and next fire extinguisher i.e. within 50 feet from each other( i think this is the required distance from each fire extinguisher!).
The extinquisher I inspected was less than 6 months old. The weight seemed correct and the pressure guage was in the green. There was no inspection tag, so I attached one and dated and intialed
On the attached picture of a fire extinguisher I inspected. Had a few problems the tamper seal was missing. I did the lift test and it appeared to be full and the gauge was showing in the green. There was a tag on it but the monthly inspections if they had happened were not dated and initialled so I had to assume they had not happened.
I read two articles: The first was titled Aerogel and I found it very interesting. The ability to us it for insulation. The things to help an inspector identify it were that it appears blue in color, feels like Styrofoam but is rigid.
The other article was Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and inspection. It gave descriptions of the different classes of extinguishers. The things to look for in an inspection. Over all I found both articles very informative.
Inspecting Portable Fire Extinguishers
The extinguisher is fully charged and in the green as indicated in the picture. There is no tamper seal present. The last inspection isn’t clearly indicated.
Will suggest the installation of tamper seal. Will attach a paper tag indicating my inspection date with initials.
In 2008 more than 400,00 fires occurred in the U.S. Fires can be attributed to nature, faulty wiring or furnace malfunctions. Making an escape plan and practicing could help save ones life. Plan an escape around ones abilities. Make sure smoke alarms are installed in every necessary room. Space heaters should always have a three foot clearance and should be unplugged while not in use. Smokers should smoke outdoors. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen and refrain from cooking while drowsy or intoxicated. If one is on fire, they should stop, drop and roll. Know who to call in an emergency such as 911.
Make sure to test all of the homes smoke alarms and practice your escape plan.
A firestop is a protection to reduce the spread of fire through openings in a fire rated wall. They are required between the garage and the living space, between the attic and the living space and between dwelling units within condos.
Inspectors should check for missing firestop, partially removed firestop for repairs and improper installations. Materials that are acceptable are firestop mortar, intumescent, firestop pillows and fire rated drywall.
Inspectors should be able to gage what a firestop is and how they work.
portable fire extinguisher inspection
this fire extinguisher is located on a wall in the kitchen and has no obstructions in accessing it. it is securely mounted at a height that any of the occupants can easily reach.
in inspecting, the bottle is full and is verified by the gauge which is reading in the ‘green’ which indicates full and ready.
this device is rated class A B C and is a 2 1/2lb bottle which is ideal for a residential kitchen setting.
this unit has no hose attached. there is no physical evidence of tampering or damage. the safety seal and pin are intact.
