Statewide Fire Protection featured on Redfin

Check out our feature in Redfin’s latest article: “Ultimate Holiday Home Safety Checklist?”

The holiday season is officially here which means there will be lots of decorating, cooking, baking, and online shopping. Plus, if you live somewhere like Chicago, IL, you may even be able to spend time sitting by the fire on a snowy day. But, it can be easy to overlook necessary safety precautions with all the excitement that comes from the seasonal festivities. 

Let's take a look at what the experts had to say about the ways holiday celebrations can bring extra risk into your life – and tips for how to minimize the risk to keep your home and family safe.

Ultimate Holiday Home Safety Checklist

Do fire extinguishers have to be recharged every year?

Although fire extinguishers must be inspected annually, they do not require recharging every year. Dry chemical extinguishers only require recharging after they’ve been used, or every six years. Hydrostatic testing is also done on dry-chem extinguishers every 12 years. 

Recharging extinguishers every six years ensures proper functionality. Six-year maintenance testing disrupts settling of dry chemical. In the event of a fire it is imperative for an extinguishers contents to be free flowing. Any deficiencies will be corrected during the six-year maintenance process. If an extinguisher is deemed non-functional it will be removed from circulation and recycled.

Extinguisher cylinders also undergo hydrostatic testing every 12 years. This process ensures an extinguishers cylinder can still hold an adequate charge. If an extinguisher fails it’s hydrotest it is removed from circulation and recycled. 

Other types of extinguishers have different testing requirements. Class K and CO2 extinguishers require hydrotesting every five years.  All the information above is in regard to non-chrome dry chemical fire extinguishers. When doing an annual inspection, we will take care of any recharging and hydrostatic testing needs.

How often should fire extinguishers be inspected?

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations state that fire extinguishers must be inspected and maintained by a professionally licensed company once per year. Our annual inspections address any recharging, repairs, or testing in accordance with national, state, and city regulations. After extinguishers are deemed operational they will receive an inspection tag certifying them for one calendar year. We also recommend customers do a visual inspection of their extinguishers once per month. 

Monthly inspections should determine the following: 

• All Extinguishers are located in their designated areas

• The extinguishers labels are legible and undamaged 

• Tamper seals are unbroken. No leakage, corrosion, or clogging can be identified 

• Extinguishers are unblocked and easily accessible 

A written record including the month, year, and initials of the person who inspected the extinguisher are also required.  An Extinguisher can be identified as having adequate pressure by reading its pressure gauge. Monthly inspections ensure a safe environment for employees and customers. We look forward to satisfying your fire protection needs.

Does your company dispose of old fire extinguishers? Can I dispose of them myself?

We do dispose and recycle fire extinguishers. Pricing depends on the size and quantity. We are happy to assist you in any of your disposal needs. It is important to dispose of an extinguisher properly; a pressurized cylinder should never be placed in the garbage. Disposing of extinguishers yourself is possible; however, the disposal process can be somewhat inconvenient and potentially dangerous for the average individual. For this reason we will not give instructions on how to dispose of an extinguisher yourself. Our company’s vision is to protect Individuals and businesses and we would hate for an accident to happen. We look forward to working with you in the future and hope you found this information useful. 

Is fire extinguisher powder toxic or hazardous?

In short, NO, dry chemical extinguisher powder is considered non-toxic. However, precautions should be taken when dealing with all types of dry chemical. It is best to wear gloves and a dust mask to prevent irritation from skin contact or inhalation. When inhaled In larger quantities, dry chemical can severely irritate mucous membranes and cause breathing complications. It is highly unlikely that enough powder would be inhaled when using a fire extinguisher to have any adverse reactions. If you are faced with a situation where you have inhaled a large amount of dry chemical, or have been sprayed directly in the eyes, you should seek medical attention immediately. Overall, fire extinguisher powder is very safe when used properly. If you have used a fire extinguisher it is imperative you either get it re-charged by a professional, or replace the unit with a new one.

This information only applies to dry chemical extinguishers. Other extinguisher types have different precautions regarding toxicity. We hope this information has been valuable and you never find yourself in a situation in which an extinguisher is necessary.

If the gauge on my fire extinguisher reads full, why is the inspection still necessary?

Annual extinguisher inspections are done for a multitude of reasons. Community and personal safety is among the most important reasons. Like any other device, extinguishers are susceptible to flaws, imperfections, damage, and scheduled maintenance. Simply having a fire extinguisher is not enough; placement of extinguishers, quantity of extinguishers, types of extinguishers; all these aspects play a role when deeming a business safe for workers and customers. Safe businesses create a safe community for everyone to enjoy. 

Annual inspections are also required by business insurance companies. A business which complies with fire regulations will have a seamless process when filing a claim for fire related issues. 

There is much more to an inspection than simply reading an extinguishers gauge. Protecting lives and property while delivering excellent service and knowledge is our ultimate goal and vision. Stay protected with Statewide Fire Protection.

Are annual fire extinguisher inspections required for businesses in Colorado?

Per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations, annual fire extinguisher inspections are required. Simply having fire extinguishers present in a business is not sufficient enough when protecting against fire.  Alike other safety systems, fire extinguishers also require inspection and maintenance. In order to remain functional, professional testing or replacement is required. Not only do we maintain extinguishers, we also provide expertise on the placement and types of extinguishers required for specific areas and situations. Complications such as blocked, damaged, misplaced, or missing extinguishers, are all preventable by periodic fire inspections. Overall, having fire extinguishers maintained professionally is imperative for keeping people and property safe.

Are there different types of fire extinguishers?

Yes, there are many different types of extinguishers for many different needs. To understand the types of extinguishers we must understand the types of fires. Fires can be defined by five different classifications. 

Fire Classifications

• Class A: wood, trash, paper(ordinary combustibles)

• Class B: flammable liquids: oil, gas, tars, lacquers, alcohols

• Class C: energized electrical fires 

• Class D: combustible metal fire: magnesium, potassium, titanium, plutonium, etc. 

• Class K: cooking oils, grease, animal fats, vegetable oils etc.

Types of extinguishers

• ABC dry chemical: These extinguishers are the most common and are perfect for class A class B and class C fires. Offices, kitchens, garages, vehicles: ABC extinguishers are optimal in eradicating almost every type of fire hazard. Due to versatility and affordability, dry chemical extinguishers are the gold-standard when protecting against fire danger. 

• BC Dry Chemical: Unlike ABC extinguishers, BC extinguishers are only rated for class B and class C fires. A person may ask, “What’s the point of a BC rated extinguisher when I can purchase an ABC rated extinguisher?” Numerically speaking, a BC extinguisher weighing 10 pounds would have higher extinguishing capability against class B and C fires than an equally weighing ABC fire extinguisher. For this reason, BC fire extinguishers may be a better option where flammable liquids and electrical components are present.

• PKP (Purple K Dry Chemical): Purple K extinguishers are especially good at fighting class B fires. They are also rated for class C fires but are more likely to be used In areas with high class B fire danger. Flammable liquid storages are an excellent place to mount a Purple K extinguisher. 

• Class D Dry Powder Extinguishers: Class D extinguishers are used exclusively for fires involving combustible metals. Metals such as potassium, magnesium, titanium, and sodium burn at high temperatures, thus requiring an exclusive need for class D dry powder. Extinguishing agents such as water and carbon dioxide react violently when applied to combustible metal fires. Class D extinguishers work by encapsulating and smothering fire. Unlike ABC extinguishers which discharge quickly, class D extinguishers are designed to pile up softly creating layers which envelop fires. This process requires larger amounts of extinguishing agent than traditional fires. For this reason, these extinguishers start at 30 pounds for handheld units and larger for wheeled units.

• Class K Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers: Class K extinguishers are used to fight fires ignited from animal and vegetable fats commonly found in cooking oils and greases. While Class B extinguishers are effective in extinguishing flammable liquids, class K extinguishers have higher efficacy in commercial kitchens; the high-volume rapidly-spreading nature of commercial grease fires are best controlled by class K extinguishers and fire suppression systems. Class K extinguishing agent is expelled as a fine wet mist. Derived from an alkaline mixture of either potassium acetate, potassium carbonate, or potassium citrate, class K mist works by dousing vapors and eliminating the potential for re-ignition. 

• Pressurized Water extinguishers: Stored pressure water extinguishers should only be used to fight class A fires or ordinary combustibles (wood, trash, paper, Ect.). Never use a water extinguisher on class B or C fires. Water acts as fuel to a grease fire (class b) and conducts electricity on and electric fire (class c). Water extinguishers work by cooling fuel below the temperature at which fires can actively burn or reignite.

• Carbon Dioxide extinguishers: CO2 fire extinguishers are rated for class B and class C fires. They are not an optimal choice when fighting class A fires. CO2 extinguishers work by displacing oxygen and also cooling a fires fuel. Carbon dioxide inside a CO2 cylinder is so heavily compressed that it often expels bits of dry ice when being used. CO2 extinguishers require virtually no cleanup, thus making them an optimal choice for laboratories, flammable liquid storages, and mechanical rooms. A hydrostatic test is required on these extinguishers every five years to ensure structural integrity. 

• Clean agent extinguishers: Clean Agents A.K.A. Halogenated extinguishers are designed to protect valuable assets specifically expensive computer systems, high-cost server rooms, and specialized machinery. These extinguishers are corrosion resistant, do not cause thermal shock damage, and are optimal for highly valued electronic/mechanical systems. Clean agents protect against class A, B, and C fires; they are paramount in the safeguarding of electronic and mechanical assets. 

In conclusion, it is always best to consult an expert when outfitting a business or residence with fire extinguishers. We look forward to creating a safer environment for your families, employees, customers, and friends. 

How do you use a fire extinguisher?

IMPORTANT: Fire is dangerous and should be handled with extreme caution. In the event of a fire the most important factor is the safety of yourself and others. A fire extinguisher should only be used in the incipient (beginning) stages of a fire. If you are unable to determine the location of the fire and the content of what is burning, pull the fire alarm and evacuate immediately. If the building does not have an alarm, instruct everyone inside to evacuate immediately. Fires spread rapidly; if you have any doubt on how, or what type of extinguisher to use, it’s best to evacuate and call 911. 

Before using a fire extinguisher:

• Identify a safe exit for evacuation

• Engage the fire alarm and/or notify everyone of the fire. 

Using an extinguisher

• Select the appropriate type of fire extinguisher

• Discharge extinguisher within its specified range

• If you are unfamiliar with the extinguishers range, 6-15 feet is a good range to start. Move further or closer based on your extinguishers range. 

Remember the acronym: P.A.S.S.

Pull, Aim Squeeze, Sweep

1st: Pull the pin from the extinguisher

2nd: Aim the hose or nozzle at the base of the fire 

3rd: Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguishers contents

4th: Sweep the hose or nozzle along the base of the fire until it has ceased

If the fire reignites, repeat steps 2-4. If the fire isn’t extinguished and your extinguisher is empty: evacuate, pull the fire alarm, and call 911. We hope you never experience a fire emergency but it’s always best to be prepared.