Extinguishers, spare gas cartridges and replacement charges should be visually inspected at least monthly by a responsible person to make sure that appliances are in their proper positions and have not been discharged, or lost pressure (in the case of extinguishers fitted with a pressure indicator), or suffered obvious damage. The provision of brackets, shelves or base blocks will help to show if any appliance is missing.
A more thorough inspection should be carried out at least twice a year by a competent device. Any blocked vent should be cleared before the extinguisher is opened, and then the extinguisher should be opened slowly in order to allow any gas present to escape in a controlled manner.
The dates of inspection and refilling should be indelibly recorded on a label securely attached to the extinguisher or painted on the body (it should not be stamped into the body of the extinguisher).
Extinguishers should be recharged in accordance with the supplier's instructions immediately after they have been completely or partly discharged. Sufficient refills for this purpose should always be kept available. The date of refilling should be recorded as above.
Periodic pressure testing of extinguishers other than carbon dioxide and halon extinguishers is not considered necessary.
3. The gas cartridge is weighed to detect any loss, and if this loss exceeds 10 per cent of the weight marked on the cartridge (or the percentage recommended by the manufacturer, if less than 10 per cent) then the cartridge should be replaced.
4. The nozzle, strainer, vent holes in the cap and (where fitted) the internal discharge tube and breather valve are not clogged; clean if necessary.
5. The operating mechanism and discharge valve (where fitted) move freely. Rectify or replace if necessary.
6. The sealing washers and hose (if fitted) are in good condition.
7. After returning the original charge to the extinguisher, it is filled to the correct level. More water should be added if necessary except in the case of special solutions (such as anti-freeze or corrosion inhibitor) when the manufacturer's instruction should be followed.
8. The extinguisher is correctly re-assembled and safety device fitted.
Every extinguisher should be test discharged at least once every five years.
Water (stored pressure) At least twice a year see that:
(a) The correct pressure is shown on the indicating device or tell-tale indicator. Where possible the extinguisher pressure should also be checked using an independent pressure-measuring device.
(b) Corrosion is not visible externally.
(c) The weight of the extinguisher is correct.
The extinguisher should be test discharged at least once every two years.
After discharge see that:
1. The pressure-indicating device or tell-tale indicator is functioning correctly and showing zero pressure.
2. On opening the extinguisher and examining the body internally using an illuminating probe, corrosion is not visible.
3. The nozzle, strainer, venting device and (where fitted) the internal discharge tube are not clogged. Clean if necessary.
4. The operating mechanism moves freely. Rectify or replace if necessary.
5. The sealing washers and hose (if fitted) are in good condition.
6. The extinguisher is refilled with water, or with special solution in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
7. The extinguisher is re-assembled and repressurised in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Effective means should be provided to ensure that extinguisher bodies are not over-pressurised.
8. The safety device is fitted.
Water (soda/acid)
At least twice a year see that:
1. After carefully removing the acid bottle, the extinguisher is filled to the correct level.
2. On pouring the main liquid charge into a clean container and examining the body internally with an illuminating probe, corrosion is not visible. The body should also be examined externally for corrosion.
3. There has not been acid leakage, which can be caused by seepage past the lead stopper in the case of some turn-over models, or which may result from a cracked bottle. (Cracked bottles should be replaced.)
4. The nozzle, strainer, vent holes in the cap and (where fitted) the internal discharge tube and breather valve are not clogged. Clean if necessary.
5. The operating mechanism moves freely. Rectify or replace if necessary.
6. The sealing washer and hose (if fitted) are in good condition.
7. If there has not been a leakage of acid, the original main liquid is returned to the extinguisher. Any slight loss should be made up with water. If leakage of acid or a large loss of water has occurred the extinguisher should be recharged according to the manufacturer's instructions.
8. The extinguisher is correctly re-assembled and the safety device fitted. Each extinguisher should be test discharged at least once every five years. Turn-over models (loose stopper acid bottle), however, should be discharged every two years.
After discharge, extinguishers should be thoroughly washed out with clean water and any pieces of glass or solid matter removed.
Foam (chemical)
At least twice a year see that:
1. The extinguisher and inner container are filled to the correct levels.
2. On pouring the liquids into separate clean containers and examining the extinguisher body internally with an illuminating probe, corrosion is not visible. The body should also be examined externally for corrosion.
3. The nozzle, vent holes in the side of the cap, and breather valve (if fitted) are not clogged. Clean if necessary.
4. The operating mechanism and discharge valve (if fitted) move freely. Rectify or replace if necessary.
5. All washers and hose (if fitted) are in good condition.
6. The original liquid charges, including any undissolved powder, are returned to the appropriate containers. Any slight losses should be made good with water. If large losses have occurred, new charges supplied by the extinguisher manufacturer should be used.
7. The extinguisher is correctly re-assembled and the safety device fitted. It is not necessary to stir the contents of this type of extinguisher and stirring may, in fact, cause damage.
Every extinguisher should be test discharged at least once every two years.
Foam (mechanical, gas cartridge) At least twice a year see that:
1. The extinguisher is filled to the correct level.
2. On pouring the main liquid charge into a clean container and examining the extinguisher body internally with an illuminating probe, corrosion is not visible. The body should also be examined externally for corrosion.
3. The gas cartridge is weighed to detect any loss and if this exceeds 10 per cent of the contents (or more than the percentage recommended by the manufacturers, (if less than 10 per cent) the cartridge should be replaced. The sealing washer should also be checked to ensure that it is in good condition.
4. The nozzle, strainer, branch pipe, internal discharge tube, breather valve and vent holes in the cap are not clogged. Clean if necessary.
5. The operating mechanism and discharge valve (if fitted) move freely. Rectify or replace if necessary.
6. The washers and hose are in good condition.
7. Where the foam compound is in a separate container, leakage of foam compound has not occurred.
8. The extinguisher is refilled with the original main liquid charge. Any loss should be made up with water.
If the charge is a pre-mixed foam solution and there has been a loss of more than 5 per cent by volume, then a new charge should be used.
9. The extinguisher is correctly re-assembled and the safety device fitted.
Every extinguisher should be discharged at least once every four years.
Foam (mechanical, stored pressure) At least twice a year see that:
(a) The correct pressure is shown on the indicating device or tell-tale indicator. Where possible the extinguisher pressure should also be checked using an independent pressure measuring device.
(b) Corrosion is not visible externally.
(c) The weight of the extinguisher is correct.
Every extinguisher should be test discharged at least once every four years.
After discharge see that:
1. The pressure indicating device or tell-tale indicator is functioning correctly and showing zero pressure.
2. On opening the extinguisher and examining the body internally using an illuminating probe, corrosion is not visible.
3. The nozzle, strainer, branch pipe, venting device and (where fitted) the internal discharge tube are not clogged. Clean if necessary.
4. The operating mechanism moves freely. Rectify or replace if necessary.
5. The sealing washers and hose (if fitted) are in good condition.
6. The extinguisher is refilled with special solution in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
7. The extinguisher is re-assembled and repressurised in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction. Effective means should be provided to ensure that extinguisher bodies are not over-pressurised.
8. The safety device is fitted.
After discharge, foam extinguishers should be thoroughly washed out with clean water and any solid matter should be removed.
Dry powder (gas cartridge)
Powder extinguishers should be opened only in a dry room and for the minimum time possible in order to minimise the effect of atmospheric moisture on the powder. Only extinguishers containing the same type of extinguishing powder should be opened and examined at any one time in order to avoid t he danger of cross-contamination.
Where a discharge control is fitted on the nozzle at the end of the hose, this should be operated before opening the extinguisher in order to relieve immediately any pressure which may be present in the extinguisher. The following checks should then be made at least twice a year:
1. The extinguisher contains the correct weight of powder.
2. On emptying the powder into a clean dry container, it is free-f lowing and does not contain lumps or foreign bodies. If only small, soft lumps occur these can be removed by sieving the powder. Otherwise powder should be replaced.
3. On examining the body internally using an illuminating probe, corrosion is not visible.
The body should also be examined externally for corrosion.
4. The gas cartridge is weighed to detect any loss and if this exceeds 10 per cent of the contents (or more than the percentage recommended by the manufacturers if less than 10 per cent) the cartridge should be replaced.
5. The nozzle, hose, vent holes in the cap and internal discharge tube are not clogged.
Clean if necessary.
6. The washers and hose are in good condition.
7. The operating mechanism and discharge control (where fitted) operate freely. Rectify or replace if necessary. (Do not use grease or oil on these parts.)
8. The original charge, or a new one if necessary, is returned to the extinguisher.
9. The extinguisher is correctly re-assembled and the safety device fitted.
Every extinguisher should be discharged at least once every five years.
Dry powder (stored pressure) At least twice a year see that:
1. The correct pressure is shown on the indicating device or tell-tale indicator. Where possible the extinguisher pressure should also be checked using an independent pressure measuring device.
2. Corrosion is not visible externally.
3. The weight of the extinguisher is correct.
4. The nozzle and hose are not clogged. Clean if necessary.
5. The hose is in good condition.
6. Where extinguishers are designed to have the operating mechanism removed, the operating mechanism and discharge control (where fitted) move freely. Rectify or replace if necessary. (Grease or oil should not be used on these parts.)
7. The safety device is replaced.
Every extinguisher of the field refillable type should be discharged at least once every five years.
After discharge see that:
(i) The pressure indicating device or tell-tale indicator is functioning correctly and showing zero pressure.
(ii) On opening the extinguisher and examining the body internally using an illuminating probe, corrosion is not visible.
(iii) The nozzle, hose, venting device and internal discharge tube are not clogged. Clean if necessary.
(iv) The operating mechanism and discharge valve (if fitted) move freely. Rectify or replace if necessary. (Grease or oil should not be used on these parts.)
(v) The sealing washers and hose are in good condition.
(vi) The extinguisher is refilled and repressurised in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Effective means should be provided to ensure that extinguisher bodies are not over-pressurised.
(vii) The safety device is fitted.
All dry powder extinguishers should be kept perfectly dry after discharged and not washed out.
Carbon dioxide
At least once a year see that:
1. Corrosion is not visible externally.
2. The weight of the extinguisher is correct. If a loss in weight of more than 10 per cent of the contents (or more than the percentage recommended by the manufacturer, if less than the percentage recommended by the manufacturer, if less than 10 per cent) has occurred, then the extinguisher should be taken out of service and replaced.
3. The horn, and valve assembly are in good condition.
4. Where extinguishers are designed to have the operating mechanism removed, the operating mechanism and discharge control (where fitted) move freely. Rectify or replace if necessary.
5. The safety device is replaced.
Every carbon dioxide extinguisher should be discharged at least once every ten years.
Halon (stored pressure) At least once a year see that:
1. Corrosion is not visible externally.
2. The weight of the extinguisher is correct.
3. The correct pressure is shown on the indicating device (if fitted). Where possible the extinguisher pressure should also be checked using an independent measuring device. Extinguishers showing a significant loss of pressure (as defined in the manufacturer's recommendations) should be taken out of service and replaced.
4. Where extinguishers are designed to have the operating mechanism removed, the operating mechanism and discharge control (where fitted) move freely. Rectify or replace if necessary.
5. The safety device is replaced.
Every halon (stored pressure) extinguisher should be discharged once every ten years.
Extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride should not be used.
FIGURE 10.03.04 – CHUBB MOBILE PD150 DRY CHEMICAL POWDER EXTINGUISHER
CAPACITY: 70kg (150lb) Chubb standard dry powder PRESSURE CHARGE: One 3.6kg (8lb) CO2 gas cylinder
OPERATING PRESSURE: 7 bars
DURATION OF DISCHARGE: 45-55 seconds Note:
90-litre AFFF (model SF 20 FN) and fluoroprotein foam (model PF 20 and SF20) mobile units of similar design to this extinguisher are also available