PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
By: Robert Bell, President
BelPro Fire Specialists, Inc.

Although every home and business needs a fire extinguisher for protection and safety, many people will cut corners due to cost. Just like any insurance, the value of a good portable fire extinguisher is not realized until it is needed. The life safety issue should not be viewed as an expense. The average cost of a rechargeable 5-pound (5 lb.) extinguisher is $55.00, while a cheaper, non-rechargeable extinguisher falls in the $30.00 range.

While home and business applications may vary, most situations will require an extinguisher with an ABC rating. This rating covers wood, flammable liquid, and electrical fires, which are the most common hazards for a home or business.

Variables also exist when selecting the size of an extinguisher. Several questions a customer needs to ask are:

1. How far is the home or business located from the local fire department?
2. What will the response time be?
3. What type of business or house do you have?
4. What activities take place at the locatation?
5. Do any of the activities have the potential for fire?

All of these questions play into the decision on the size of the extinguisher. Normally, a five-pound (5 lb.) extinguisher would meet the minimum requirements to protect the structure of the standard home or business, per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 10. This standard applies to all portable fire extinguishers.

The recommendation is to have an extinguisher located on each floor of a home or business. It may be necessary to have larger, or additional fire extinguishers to be used as “spot protection” for specific hazard areas. A ten-pound (10 lb.) extinguisher would be recommended in a garage area where such hazardous materials as gasoline, oil, lawn mowers, and automobiles are stored.

Not all fire extinguishers are created equal. Most inexpensive 5-pound (5 lb.) extinguishers in the $30.00 range have plastic discharge heads. This type of extinguisher was created to be used once, and thrown away. The plastic discharge heads have been known to bleed off the needed pressure due to the different expansion coefficient where the plastic and metal meet. The lack of pressure is usually not discovered until an emergency situation arrives, and at that time it is too late. The extinguisher has been rendered useless, and what could have been a small fire has turned into an inferno, with substantial loss of property, and possibly life.

On the other hand, extinguishers with metal discharge heads do not leak the pressure and can be serviced, or recharged, by reputable distributors. In the event of a fire emergency, the customer can be assured that the fire extinguisher will be viable. These extinguishers fall into the $55.00 range, but over time, are more reliable, and cost effective than their cheaper counterparts when the cost of losing property or life are factored in.

Businesses are suggested to perform a “quick check” each month on their fire extinguishers, checking the gauges to insure the extinguisher is in working order. The extinguisher is required by law to have an annual service performed by a reputable fire equipment distributor each year. BelPro Fire Specialists performs this service.

Although residential homes are not required by law to have the extinguisher checked, the homeowner should monitor the gauge for pressure, and perform a visual to insure that the extinguisher is not damaged in any way, and that it is easily accessible. If the homeowner desires, they may bring the extinguisher to BelPro Fire Specialists for a free safety check.

Bob started Belpro Fire Specialists, Inc. 10 years ago. His goal was, and continues to be, to provide customers with a code-driven, customer service focused option to meet their fire protection needs. Bob earned his degree in Fire Protection Engineering Technology from Northeast Wisconsin Technical Institute, and has over 20 years of experience in the fire protection field. Bob enjoys the challenge of meeting his customers’ needs in the most cost effective, code-driven, ethical manner. As a small business owner, he appreciates the importance of protecting both his customers’ assets and their wallet.

Bob encourages everyone, from his employees and existing customers, to “potential” customers, to look to him as a technical resource. Bob’s philosophy is to educate others. Educated employees make for great employees. Educated customers make for loyal customers, and educated “potential” customers make for new customers.

We’re glad Bob is leading the way!

10.4.3 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Personnel

10.4.3.1 Service personnel shall be qualified and experienced in the inspection, testing, and maintenance of systems addressed within the scope of this Code. Qualified personnel shall include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following:

(1) Personnel who are factory trained and certified for the specific type and brand of system being serviced

(2) Personnel who are certified by a nationally recognized certification organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction

(3) Personnel who are registered, licensed, or certified by a state or local authority to perform service on systems addressed with the scope of this Code.

(4) Personnel who are employed and qualified by an organization listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the servicing of systems within the scope of this Code.

NFPA National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Handbook 2010
 

Installation and Inspection of:

* Fire Alarms & Extinguisher
* Emergency & Exit Lighting
* Restaurant U.L. 300 System
* Industrial Dry Chemical System
* FE-25, FM-200, CO2 Clean Agent System