2023 Vector Solutions. Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not filled completely with flotation material. That tag is good for one year from the date indicated. OSHA noes that "for smaller organizations, the plan does not need to be written and may be communicated orally if there are 10 or fewer employees." Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Portable Fire Extinguishers Standard (Annual Maintenance Certification Record); Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance, Portable Fire Extinguishers Standard (Annual Maintenance Certification Record); Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements. Free Download: Fire Alarm Systems: What Your Business Needs to Know. The employer shall provide the training required in paragraph (g)(3) of this section upon initial assignment to the designated group of employees and at least annually thereafter. Fire extinguishers can also be made to extinguish more than one type of fire. 0 You can download and, if you wish, customize this checklist according to your inspection needs. Maintenance needs to be performed by a certified person. %PDF-1.4 % Similar to this Gates Fire District Self-Inspection Form Checklist which reviews grounds, interior doors, stairways, heating, air conditioning equipment, electrical equipment, control panels, housekeeping, and fire protection. A complete chart of test intervals for various types of equipment can be found here. 0000003290 00000 n Performing an inspection is the easiest thing you can do to ensure your extinguisher can be used reliably and effectively in an emergency. The employer shall assure that acceptable self-generating type soda acid and foam extinguishers are tested at 350 psi (2,410 kPa). Make sure it is full by turning it upside down at least three times. Place a fire extinguisher on every level of a building. Members can get help with HR questions via phone, chat or email. In fact, most inspection tags that are attached to portable extinguishers after their annual inspections have a 12-month grid on the back where an inspector can enter the date and initials when the monthly inspections are performed. Download Template. "A^qd:9[/Qb(B^a!C6 G5"AV?q"q LC0H5^2{j)ne'U/q3&@$ {E@\s,CvHk4lE1NFhNYcZPbb#A&Gv2g7pvH{U[EfLsa?0\=Rak+,\GejFEBM 0000002763 00000 n [, When the cylinder or shell threads are damaged. [, When there is corrosion that has caused pitting, including corrosion under removable name plate assemblies. }); if($('.container-footer').length > 1){ NFPA members and public sector officials may submit a question on an NFPA code or standard. [, Provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. The fire extinguisher is mounted in an easily accessible place with no debris or material stacked in front of it. General Requirements The selection of extinguishers for a given situation shall be determined by the character of the fires anticipated, the construction and occupancy of the individual property, the vehicle or hazard to be protected, ambient-temperature conditions, and other factors. Never miss a blog article. Chambers: There is no requirement to document the initial or annual refresher training and education sessions. 0000005687 00000 n Air or gas pressure may not be used for hydrostatic testing. Does OSHA require documentation of the training sessions? The employer shall provide employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan with training in the use of the appropriate equipment. Extinguishers such as the dry chemical type requiring a 12 year hydrostatic test also require a 6 year internal examination. How high? U2JN>9B X4mDQ0^)Uo2++$t(e42DH()Di(}^tIR:)DN/dAIva)lE/s J(E(]at(A%a7YumMM:7(g(sz&V0m:/!^8Qbk!}=V)(m$.A\So:WH{S |lxn#B4JeGRE_+A*uL+ix . What Should be Done During Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspections? Every day Fire Inspectors: Ensure life safety systems in structures and at events; Respond to citizen and Police complaints of overcrowding, hazardous situations, unsafe events and conditions The employer shall not provide or make available in the workplace portable fire extinguishers using carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane extinguishing agents. Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers NFPA 10 provides requirements to ensure that portable fire extinguishers will work as intended to provide a first line of defense against fires of limited size. OSHA requires all employers and owners of buildings to conduct a visual inspection of all fire extinguishers at their disposal at least once per month. Fire Sprinkler Systems We design, install, and service a variety of fire sprinkler systems. Find the latest news and members-only resources that can help employers navigate in an uncertain economy. xb```b``c`a``c@ >r,``87% $X*T2%L``R RL lpH&@1 The employer shall assure that hose assemblies for carbon dioxide extinguishers that require a hydrostatic test are tested within a protective cage device. Verify the extinguisher is mounted at the proper height. Sign and enter the date of the monthly inspection on the annual maintenance tag. document.head.append(temp_style); You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. The employer may use uniformly spaced standpipe systems or hose stations connected to a sprinkler system installed for emergency use by employees instead of Class A portable fire extinguishers, provided that such systems meet the respective requirements of 1910.158 or 1910.159, that they provide total coverage of the area to be protected, and that employees are trained at least annually in their use. 1926.150 (c) (1) Fire extinguishers and small hose lines. The record shall be available to the Assistant Secretary upon request. Make sure to record observations and take photos for visual evidence, Automatically record the inspections and have date and timestamps to prove completion, Cloud storage for easy reference on all past fire extinguisher inspections. Follow these 5 key steps in inspecting fire extinguishers and conduct your checks with efficiency. Privacy Policy Examine the 6-year maintenance date to determine if it is due for maintenance. The equipment for testing compressed gas type cylinders shall be of the water jacket type. Employers need to perform a full maintenance check on their workplace's portable fire extinguishers once per year, according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3). Dry chemical extinguishers need to be tested every 12 years. OSHA Fire Extinguisher Requirements May Surprise You, New OSHA Guidance Clarifies Return-to-Work Expectations, Trump Suspends New H-1B Visas Through 2020, Faking COVID-19 Illness Can Have Serious Consequences, Natural Disasters Displace Workers and Businesses, Employers in British Columbia Ensure Safety During Opioid Decriminalization. Each fire extinguisher shall have a tag or label securely attached that indicates that maintenance was performed. An internal examination can also be required as part of your maintenance. With proper inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) protocols fire extinguishers can be long lasting, reliable options for combating a small fire early on. Chambers: OSHA only requires extinguishers be identified. While an extinguisher mounted to a wall may be clearly visible from up close, they may be blocked from view if a person is standing a distance away. This is also a good benchmark for homeowners to follow. The cylinders external metal parts should have no signs of damage or corrosion. If you have a fire alarm system, is it certified as required and tested annually? Label, extinguisher type, and instructions should be easy to read. Portable fire extinguishers for Class D hazards are required in areas where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, or similarly sized products are generated at least once every two weeks. And more importantly, go back and identify all those workers who were absent due to sickness, vacation or other reasons on training day and get them into a make-up session so you can document their attendance. How to Conduct Regular Fire Extinguisher Inspections Efficiently? Are automatic sprinkler system water control valves, air and water pressure checked periodically as required? Other information to note arelabel should be clear, pressure gauge as at green, hoses in good condition, and if the extinguisher is full. To the NFPA, accessible means easily located in the occurrence of a fire, usually in the normal path of travel. The employer shall assure that hydrostatic tests are performed on extinguisher hose assemblies which are equipped with a shut-off nozzle at the discharge end of the hose. Members may download one copy of our sample forms and templates for your personal use within your organization. If you have questions regarding a fire inspection or a possible fire . Other observations could be documented as well such as the exact location and its current condition. At least 1 first aid kit that is labeled by the manufacturer as meeting the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) American national standard The employer shall maintain and provide upon request to the Assistant Secretary evidence that the required hydrostatic testing of fire extinguishers has been performed at the time intervals shown in Table L-1. Many employers choose to document their monthly inspections anyway. Selection of Hazard The following parts are checked and tasks are completed during monthly fire extinguisher inspections. 'Cuz that's what they're there for anyway, right? if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-china.aspx") > -1) { Record the annual maintenance date and retain this record for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less. Date and initial the back of the tag to log the monthly visual inspection. Does the extinguisher have a valid maintenance tag that is signed and dated? The employer shall assure that stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test are emptied and subjected to applicable maintenance procedures every 6 years. Are fire doors and shutters unobstructed and protected against obstructions, including their counterweights? t{:}jhed3xK QxOc={b These companies have the proper tools and training to ensure optimal compliance while recognizing and correcting any potentially hazardous situations. This fire door inspection template can be used to check the fire-rating and compliance of all fire doors in a building. Stripped down to only the shell and hose. Current Edition: 2022 View Document Scope Submit a Public Input for the Next Edition BUY NFPA 10 View this Document Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided for employee use and selected and distributed based on the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard which would affect their use. Make sure that the maintenance tag is valid. When a calcium chloride extinguishing agent has been used in a stainless steel shell. Download the Fire Extinguisher Location and Placement Fact Sheet, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2022, The value of Standards Development Organizations, Alternative Fuel Vehicles Safety Training, Certification for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, Safety in living and entertainment spaces, Location and Placement of Fire Extinguishers - Fact Sheet, Where are Fire Extinguishers Required - Blog, Make sure it is located in its designated place, Make sure the extinguisher is visible or that there is signage indicating where the extinguisher is located, Make sure you can easily access the extinguisher, Ensure the pressure gauge is in the operable range or position, Make sure it is full, this can be done by just lifting the extinguisher or you can weigh it, For wheeled extinguishers, make sure the condition of tires, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle are acceptable, For nonrechargeable extinguishers, operate the push-to-test pressure indicators, Mechanical parts of all fire extinguishers, The name of the person conducting the test, The pressure at which the test was performed. 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Responses are provided by NFPA Technical Staff on an informal basis. var currentUrl = window.location.href.toLowerCase(); Chambers: OSHA requires that the employer shall mount portable fire extinguishers so they are accessible to employees. Use, Fire Extinguisher Inspection Form (Annual), This annual fire extinguisher template can be used to determine if the equipment has undergone proper maintenance. Your organization should have a written evacuation plan for dealing with disasters, including fires. trailer Make the record available to the Assistant Secretary upon request. Fire protection systems shall be installed, repaired, operated and maintained in accordance with this code and the International Fire Code. Stored pressure extinguishers do not require an internal examination. The equipment for testing non-compressed gas type cylinders shall consist of the following: A hydrostatic test pump, hand or power operated, capable of producing not less than 150 percent of the test pressure, which shall include appropriate check valves and fittings; A flexible connection for attachment to fittings to test through the extinguisher nozzle, test bonnet, or hose outlet, as is applicable; and. At a minimum, inspection needs to consist of the following steps: You are not required to be certified in order to perform an inspection; any knowledgeable, competent person should be able to do it. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) prohibits employees from using a portable fire extinguisher unless theyve been trained to recognize when and how to use it. 1 Extinguishers having shells constructed of copper or brass joined by soft solder or rivets shall not be hydrostatically tested and shall be removed from service by January 1, 1982. Stored pressure extinguishers do not require an internal examination. Proper testing and maintenance of your workplace's portable fire extinguishers does more than fulfill some OSHA and NFPA requirementsit ensures the safety of your employees and your business. That collar needs to have: A hydrostatic test always begins with an internal and external examination of the extinguisher as described in the maintenance section. It can be used by approved extinguisher servicing professionals to identify defects and whether remedial action is required. The connection between the cylinder and the hose should be secure. Make sure that you capture the names of all trained employees attending the sessions. Submit the completed application and fee ($60 per restriction) along with: One copy of each of your service tag (s) List of licensed employees. Fire Inspections are initiated by permit request or by citizen observed fire code violations. Here are what a checklist typically contains based on a monthly fire extinguisher inspection form: Inspectors need to know and record the exact location of the extinguisher as well as the followingserial number, manufacture and expiry date, type, size, and rating of the fire extinguisher. Follow all steps in the checklist for a thorough inspection and proper documentation. A certified person needs to, at the very least, be familiar with the requirements in NFPA 10. endstream endobj 235 0 obj<>/Metadata 15 0 R/PieceInfo<>>>/Pages 14 0 R/PageLayout/OneColumn/StructTreeRoot 17 0 R/Type/Catalog/LastModified(D:20070122132847)/PageLabels 12 0 R>> endobj 236 0 obj<>/ColorSpace<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC/ImageI]/ExtGState<>>>/Type/Page>> endobj 237 0 obj<> endobj 238 0 obj<> endobj 239 0 obj[/Indexed 240 0 R 255 246 0 R] endobj 240 0 obj[/ICCBased 245 0 R] endobj 241 0 obj<> endobj 242 0 obj<> endobj 243 0 obj<> endobj 244 0 obj<>stream [, Use uniformly spaced standpipe systems or hose stations connected to a sprinkler system installed for emergency use by employees, instead of Class A portable fire extinguishers, provided that such systems meet the respective requirements of, Distribute portable fire extinguishers for use on Class B fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 50 feet (15.2 meters) or less. We use cookies to provide necessary website functionality and improve your experience. This is a visual check, so shouldn't take too long. Use this 16-item fire marshal inspection form to check all residential/rental properties for fire hazards and ensure that the property remains compliant with local fire safety requirements. Fire extinguishers need to have an external maintenance examination conducted on a yearly basis, at the time of hydrostatic test, or when specifically indicated by an inspection discrepancy. Is the maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems assigned to responsible persons or to a sprinkler contractor? Annual fire extinguisher maintenance inspections should be performed by a professional fire protection company. Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. Like internal maintenance, hydrostatic testing is done at different intervals based on the type of extinguisher you have. 0 The employer shall assure that portable extinguishers are hydrostatically tested at the intervals listed in Table L-1 of this section, except under any of the following conditions: When the unit has been repaired by soldering, welding, brazing, or use of patching compounds; When the cylinder or shell threads are damaged; When there is corrosion that has caused pitting, including corrosion under removable name plate assemblies; When the extinguisher has been burned in a fire; or. Is the extinguisher label visible and legible? The employer shall assure that hydrostatic testing is performed by trained persons with suitable testing equipment and facilities. The inspection requirements applicable to portable fire extinguishers are covered in NFPA 10(10), Sec. Download, edit, or create your own fire extinguisher inspection templates with ease! Extinguishers need to have an internal examination conducted at anywhere from 1-6 year intervals depending on the type of extinguisher. . Filled with water for a specific amount of time and at a certain pressure and dried after. Be warned, however, OSHA has cited employers using these tags as evidence that monthly inspections were not performed because, even though the back of the tag had several months with the initials in place to document the inspections were conducted, there was one (or more) month where the initials were not entered. For low pressure cylinders a label is required to be attached to the extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers for Class D hazards are required in those combustible metal working areas where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, or similarly sized products are generated at least once every two weeks. Visible means that the fire extinguisher be unobstructed . Even though fire extinguishers may not always be top of mind, there's nothing worse than needing an extinguisher in an emergency only to discover that it isn't charged and doesn't work. Paragraph (e)(3) of the Standard specifies that employers must subject each portable fire extinguisher to an annual maintenance inspection and record the date of the inspection. Nitrogen cylinders which comply with 49 CFR 173.34(e)(15) may be hydrostatically tested every 10 years. (JdhJa]%ZE@xz ]|&ekC{4nck k!IkH&ul]y!Zj*Qze:ZNF}v)^PWT:tX. Take care when handling pressure vessels such as fire extinguishers. Examine for apparent damage, leakage, clogging, and rusting. The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class A fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 m) or less. "Maintenance" means a thorough examination and repair, as needed, of all your facility's portable fire extinguishers, as covered in NFPA 10(98), Sec. People who do hydrostatic testing need to know what they are doing because it can be dangerous if performed incorrectly. Fire extinguisher checklists help inspectors proactively identify signs of issues that may render extinguishers unfit for use in an actual emergency. Chambers: OSHA requires a visual inspection of all portable extinguishers be performed at least monthly, but does not have a requirement for documentation of monthly inspections, whereas the mandatory annual inspections and periodic maintenance inspections do have to be documented. If there is any leakage, distortion or permanent moving of couplings the cylinder fails the hydrostatic test and it must be condemned. Pay particular attention to this fire extinguisher resource page and this page of OSHA fire extinguisher requirements. Sign up to receive our latest blog content to keep your business, employees, and assets safe. The extinguisher must then be completely dried to get rid of all of the water and is then reassembled and recharged. Secure portable fire extinguishers in a specific location to prevent them from being relocated when not in use. Extinguisher shells, cylinders, or cartridges which fail a hydrostatic pressure test, or which are not fit for testing shall be removed from service and from the workplace. $("span.current-site").html("SHRM MENA "); Fire extinguisher inspection checklists can be customized to fit your needs. Learn how SHRM Certification can accelerate your career growth by earning a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. [, Train employees (who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment in the emergency action plan) in the use of the equipment. The employer shall assure that portable fire extinguishers are maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated places at all times except during use. The test interval shall be the same as specified for the extinguisher on which the hose is installed. Visually inspecting your fire extinguishers helps ensure several important points: Please log in as a SHRM member before saving bookmarks. Records of the monthly inspections need to be maintained by either putting a tag or label on the extinguisher or by having it recorded on paper or electronic files. !--no pun intended on "PASS"). Please log in as a SHRM member. Here they are: OSHA also makes some fire extinguisher selection and distribution requirements. Take a little time and read through that. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2022. They sit in your workplace or home day after day "just in case," but of course you hope you'll never have to use one, but in the event, you do we want you to be prepared in knowing your fire extinguisher is inspected and that you know everything you need to about fire extinguishers. These are done not only for compliance with the law but also because employers need to ensure that the extinguishers are going to work in case of a fire. Making sure its facing the right direction. The employer shall assure that alternate equivalent protection is provided when portable fire extinguishers are removed from service for maintenance and recharging. Sign up to receive one email per week. It needs to contain: For high pressure cylinders the testers identification number and the date must be stamped onto the shoulder, top, head, neck or foot ring. Employers are required by law to have the portable fire extinguishers visually inspected monthly. Click here.). This is something that is required by OSHA, so ensure that these checks get done on time. 0000009210 00000 n This lowers risks, prevents any issues, and injuries in the event that a fire extinguisher is needed. It's critical that facilities managers ensure that maintenance techs and building, Training is important, but an organization benefits most when it supports not only training but all facets of a learning culture (see our articles on, OSHA Fire Extinguisher Safety Training Requirements, How to Use a Fire Extinguisher - Step by Step Guide, Types of Fire Extinguishers - Which One To Buy, OSHA Fire Extinguisher Mounting Height, Placement & Signage Requirements, OSHA Form 300: Log of Work-Related Injuries and, Ensure Compliance Training for FM Techs with an, Six Benefits of Online Continuing Education for Facilities, Make sure you're using only approved portable fire extinguishers. This type of assurance derives from the proper maintenance, inspection, selection, installation, recharging, and testing of portable fire extinguishers, a series of activities that have long been aided by the use of NFPA 10. Weigh the extinguisher to make sure its full, If its a wheeled extinguisher, check the condition of the external parts like the wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzles, If its a non-rechargeable extinguisher, make sure that the push-to-test indicators are working, Make sure the extinguishers are in a designated place, and nothing is blocking their access or visibility, Hang it up so that the nameplate is legible and visible. Cbp\lpne69F5u=by3r\K5NYq/Vl7FPnfi}eajCMt6`{NxY%un:1RUPdiKJ5n=-Gt}@ Hy% In order to meet requirements related to annual or monthly fire extinguisher inspections, individuals also have the option to utilize a fire extinguisher self-inspection checklist or a general fire self-inspection checklists that include a review of extinguishers. If you have outside private fire hydrants, are they flushed at least once a year and on a routine preventive maintenance schedule? The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class B fires so that the travel distance from the Class B hazard area to any extinguisher is 50 feet (15.2 m) or less. } The employer shall assure that carbon dioxide hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle are hydrostatically tested at 1,250 psi (8,620 kPa). The employer shall be responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace. (Not permitted), Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Federal law requires all vessels, including PWC, to have a Type B fire extinguisher on board if one or more of the following conditions exist: Closed compartments where portable fuel tanks may be stored. OSHA does provide some exemptions. Jona Tarlengco is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. Employers are also advised to establish a policy clarifying who is qualified to use fire extinguishers, the situations in which they can and should be used, and the proper procedures for use. An OSHA Inspector who's inspecting your fire extinguisher may look for compliance with any of the following general requirements for fire extinguishers: Make sure your portable fire extinguishers are in compliance with all of the general requirements listed above. endstream endobj 248 0 obj<>/Size 234/Type/XRef>>stream else if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-mena.aspx") > -1) { Only approved portable fire extinguishers shall be used to meet the requirements of this section. Is not fully charged Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance, Soda acid (soldered brass shells) (until 1/1/82), Cartridge operated water and/or antifreeze, Foam (soldered brass shells) (until 1/1/82), Dry chemical, stored pressure, with mild steel, brazed brass or aluminum shells, Dry chemical, cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shells, Dry powder, cartridge or cylinder operated with mild steel shells. $('.container-footer').first().hide(); Once a fire extinguisher passes its annual maintenance, it is verified with a dated inspection tag. startxref Details on how to do an internal examination are located in your fire extinguisher service manual. We're going to give you the information you need to pass that fire extinguisher inspection (Ha!! [, Make sure portable fire extinguishers are maintained, fully charged, operating properly, and kept in designated places at all times except during use. [, Where the employer has established and implemented a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal and which includes an, Select and distribute the extinguishers based on the types of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard that would affect their use. [, Distribute portable fire extinguishers for use on Class C hazards on the appropriate pattern for the existing Class A or Class B hazards. Then, keep them functioning properly with routine inspections and testing.. At Fire Pros, our fire protection company offers services for fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, and more.Whether you need maintenance, installation, or repair services, we have you covered! Indicate the overall condition of the extinguisher if pass or fail.