Fire Extinguisher – Buying guide

Fire Extinguisher – Buying guide

A fire extinguisher may not be very effective against a large-scale developed fire, but it is extremely effective in dousing an incipient fire before it goes out of control. This is what makes them so perfect for homes and offices. Now use of fire extinguisher is increasing every day. Thanks to FSAI that many people start understanding the use and value of the extinguisher as it saves from hazardous things like fire. Extinguishers have the advantage of portability that can be very handy in dousing fires that are difficult to reach by other mechanisms.

There are lots of stuff that you need to know before you go for shopping when it comes to this, apart from this there are companies related to fire extinguishers refilling in India, who can help you when your extinguisher require refilling. But before that, you should understand few basic kinds of stuff to avoid any kind complication in future. Here is our handy extinguisher guide:

Specialist or wide range: Fire safety equipment involves more than just fire extinguishers and you may want a more comprehensive system. In that case, you should check if the fire safety extinguishers supplier offers other firefighting equipment like fire blankets and fire alarms. You can choose to go with a separate vendors or manufacturers, but a single vendor is more likely to give you competitive pricing apart from saving your time and effort.

Which size do you want? Well, the size of your extinguisher does not affect the working as it only means that you have the larger volume in the fire extinguisher. However, it depends on the need and the location/area you want to cover.  A multi-stored building will need an extinguisher on each floor. The area of the floor and partitions within will again decide the number of extinguishers. For instance, a large floor with multiple rooms, offices or homes may need multiple extinguishers, while a small floor may work perfectly well with a single extinguisher. Your car with its limited space will require a small portable extinguisher.

Selecting the right type: All extinguishers may look the same, but they are actually quite different. Extinguishers are classified according to the type of fire, which depends on the accelerants present. The accelerant is be the material that is found on the premises and will differ from one location to another. The classification of fire is as follows:

-    Class A: Fires involving organic solids like paper and wood.

-    Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids like petrol and diesel.

-    Class C: Fires involving flammable gases.

-    Class D: Fires involving combustible metals.

-    Class E: Fires involving electrical equipment.

-    Class F: Fires involving cooking oil and fat.

The type of fire will decide the agent that we use to extinguish the fire. Agents used in firefighting are water, wet chemical, foam, dry chemical, dry powder, carbon dioxide, and vaporizing liquid. Type A fire requires a water extinguisher, while a Type D fire requires a dry powder extinguisher. So, a water extinguisher may work in your bedroom, but for your kitchen you may need a wet chemical extinguisher.

Location: Decide on the location of the extinguisher before you buy it. There are a few rules here that you must keep in mind:

-    It must be installed above ground.

-    It should be placed in a location where nothing obstructs it path.

-    It should be clearly visible.

-    It should be placed near an exit so that one does not have to walk into the fire to retrieve it.

-    It should not be placed near an inflammable substance.

Complexity of the extinguisher: Some fire extinguishers are more difficult to operate Carbon dioxide extinguishers, for instance, must be handled very carefully since the gas expelled is extremely cold. In such cases, it is important to ensure that you have people trained to use such extinguishers.

How to use it? Not just buying is a hectic stuff but also knowing how to use the fire extinguisher is another thing that you should consider. However, these modern extinguishers are much easier to use as you just have to follow PASS which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. After using it, make sure to refill it again. These are important factors will help you to buy whatever kind of extinguisher you need. Also, do know about the refilling a recharging process. Make sure your extinguisher is properly maintained and ready to use when it is needed. Apart from that, do check the working and the overall extinguisher to make sure it’s safe for use or not.

Rechargeable or Disposable: Rechargeable extinguishers have a metal valve where disposable extinguishers have a plastic valve. While the rechargeable may seem more expensive, it is more economical in the long-term. However, if you need the extinguisher for just a short time span, you may consider disposable extinguisher.

Refilling services: A fire extinguisher requires refilling at certain intervals. This will be specified by the manufacturer. In addition, it must be refilled every time gas is expelled. You must keep these expenses in mind when buying an extinguisher. Find a fire extinguishers refilling India agency that offers the best package. For instance, some agencies offer a comprehensive maintenance package that includes repairs as well as refilling services that may be more economical in the long run.

Certification: Every extinguisher must comply with the proper ISO certification. This means that it meets all the regulations regarding its working and safety. This is the minimum quality control that you must maintain.

Check for service terms: It is important to see what kind of services the supplier is offering. Extinguishers need regular servicing. So, any supplier who also has a servicing facility wins brownie points. See if you can get a favorable deal along with your extinguisher. Many suppliers offer complimentary service for a limited period. This should also be considered in the overall pricing.

So, before you buy an extinguisher, find out the type of fire that is likely to take place, the area and availability of fire extinguishers refilling India.