Page 10 - LEARN NOT TO BURN MAGAZINE by STEM XII-Group 5

It’s really important that you stick to regular visual and physical inspections of

your fire extinguishers.

Visual inspections: these should be done on a monthly basis and by a
competent person. During visual inspections, pay particular attention to

things like:
Fire extinguishers

Where is the fire extinguisher placed? must be regularly

How easy is it to access?

Is it fully charged? maintained
Is both the pin and seal in place?
Is there any visible damage to any part(s) of the extinguisher?

Is the nozzle free from any blockages?

Physical inspections: your fire extinguishers should be serviced once a year
by a qualified and experienced technician. During this, they’ll lookout for

things like:

The condition of your fire extinguishers
The location, number, and type of your extinguishers.

They should also inform you of any deficiencies, recommend remedial work,
and provide you with a certificate so that you can demonstrate compliance

to enforcing authorities – should you need to.

Only trained and competent people should operate a fire
extinguisher, and when they do, P.A.S.S should be at the

forefront of their mind:

P.A.S.S must
Pull the pin from the top of the extinguisher to activate it
be followed Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire to fight it

Squeeze the handle slowly – if you do it too quickly, the
when they shock and speed of diffusion could cause your hand to

are freeze to the tube

Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire.
in use

Even if you’re competent and trained to use a fire
extinguisher, if you don’t feel comfortable tackling the

situation at hand, don’t – and that message applies to
anyone who’s authorised to act in the event if a fire.

8 Learn Not to Burn DECEMBER 2020