Fire Extinguisher

4 Things to Check When Buying a Fire Extinguisher

In recent years, fire extinguishers have improved and have been made available to the public. This is in accordance with the 2005 Fire Safety Regulatory Reform Order, which became the law since October of 2006. This order states that every type of establishment should have a fire extinguisher. This is the legal responsibility of the owner of the premises, be it a home, office, commercial or industrial area. Thus, an extinguisher is deemed necessary. Here are the things that you have to check in purchasing a fire extinguisher.

1. That you have bought the correct fire extinguisher. If you are purchasing an extinguisher for your home, you can choose amongst the 4 domestic extinguishers that are available. These are: CO2 fir extinguisher, Dry Powder fire extinguisher, Water fire extinguisher, and Foam fire extinguisher. Of the 4 extinguishers, it is best to choose the Dry Powder extinguisher.

2. Make sure that the manufacturer’s name is written on the extinguisher. This ensures the quality of the extinguisher that you bought. Fire prevention starts by making sure that the fire protection devices you purchase are of good quality. Buying from a reputable manufacturer guarantees that the extinguisher indeed works that way you expect it.

3. Make sure it is not tampered. Check the expiration date as well as the warranty. Come the time that you need to have your extinguisher checked or maintained you know whereto go and do not need to spend a single cent. Fire protection is your main goal, but you also have to protect yourself from opportunistic businessmen who are just trying to rob you off of your money.

4. Ask if the extinguisher have a genuine full British Approvals for Fire Equipment certification and/or a BSi Kitemark to BS EN3 or a CE Mark, all of which are legal requirements of PED, or the Pressure Equipment Directive. These certifications prove that that extinguishers sold and bought by consumers are indeed observing mandated laws on fire safety and fire protection. If it does not have all these certifications but only has British Approvals for Fire Equipment certification, you try to verify if this will do. Most often than not, it is acceptable. You may visit online fire companies websites for more information with regards extinguisher certifications.

Most reputable fire safety companies do adhere to all these requirements. But it never hurts to be extra careful. Like for instance if you are purchasing a 2 kilo gram CO2 fire extinguisher. If you bought a fire extinguisher from a reputable manufacturer, you will see in the extinguisher itself the following information: Warranty period, standard specifications such as a frost-free safe swivel horn; fire rating, height, cylinder diameter, filled weight, discharge time, operating temperature, and the name of the manufacturer. If all of these details are present on the extinguisher that you are planning to purchase, the better.

Knowing that you have indeed bought the right extinguisher from a credible and reputable manufacture gives a sense of satisfaction that you have indeed spent your money on something worthwhile.