The importance of recording all safety equipment

Keeping records of safety equipment

It is important to keep accurate records of all safety equipment used in a company. For the purpose of this article, we will consider fire extinguishers. Two documents form the basis of fire extinguisher safety records: the Fire Extinguisher Monthly Checklist and the Fire Extinguisher Register.

Fire Extinguisher Monthly Checklist

(Record all deficiencies on the monthly plant inspection to be turned into the Safety Department). A record like the one used for the month of April (below) should be applied for every month in the year:

APRIL:

Total # of Extinguishers onsite: ____________

All have been inspected:               YES                         NO

All passed inspection:     YES                         NO

# Did not pass:__________________________

Notified Safety Dept.      YES                         NO

  • The following items must be checked on all fire extinguishers at the facility and documented. If there is a fire extinguisher on site that does not pass the monthly inspection, notify the safety department immediately.

Interior Extinguishers:

  • Mounted in an easily accessible place, no debris or material stacked in front of it.
  • Safety pin is in place and intact. Nothing else should be used in place of the pin.
  • Label is clear and extinguisher type and instructions can be read easily.
  • Handle is intact and not bent or broken.
  • Pressure gauge is in the green and is not damaged or showing ‘recharge’.
  • Discharge hoses/nozzle is in good shape and not clogged, cracked, or broken.
  • Extinguisher was turned upside down at least three times (shaken).

Exterior Extinguishers:

  • Discharge Hose/nozzle is in good shape and not clogged, cracked, or broke.n
  • It is mounted in an easily accessible area, with nothing stacked around it.
  • Safety Pin is in place and not damaged.
  • Pressure gauge is in the green and not damaged or showing ‘recharge’.
  • Label is readable and displays the type of extinguisher and the instructions for use.
  • It is not rusty, nor has it any type of corrosion build-up.
  • Extinguisher was turned upside down at least three times. (Shaken).
  • The location of the extinguisher is easily identifiable. (signs).

When an inspection of a fire extinguisher reveals a deficiency in any of the conditions listed above, immediate corrective action should be taken.

Keep records of inspections and ensure the following frequency of inspections:

  • Monthly Inspection: Internal
  • Annual Inspection: Fire Protection Company
  • Six-Year Service: Fire Protection Company
  • Twelve-Year Hydro: Test Fire Protection Company.

Fire Extinguisher Registers

A Fire Extinguisher Register is the tool you need to manage your handheld fire extinguishers and to keep them suitable for use and valid within servicing dates. Details include the extinguisher type, the serial number of each extinguisher, the condition and charge level, the date of inspection, the inspector’s name, date of the next inspection and any applicable comments.

Did you know?

Poor indoor air quality can result in serious and minor health issues, reduced productivity and increased absenteeism of employees. Find out more here about the issues around air quality: https://www.stratenvironment.co.za/ensuring-adequate-ventilation-in-the-workplace-through-regulated-inspections/

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