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Certification
An inspection includes checking the date of manufacture
and any recharges the extinguisher may have had, visual
inspection of the fire extinguisher for dents and dings,
visual inspection of the gauge, inspection of the hose
for obstruction, and also a "fluffing" of the
extinguisher. "Fluffing" is the process whereby
the fire extinguisher is turned over and hit lightly with
an object such as a rubber mallet. This insures that the
powder contained in the fire extinguisher is moved around.
If a fire extinguisher sits without being fluffed for
a long amount of time the powder may harden and cake in
the cylinder. After the extinguisher has been looked over
and "fluffed" the technician then certifies
the fire extinguisher.
Six-Year Recharge
A dry chemical extinguisher that is 6 years old or has
not been opened up in 6 years is due for a six-year
maintenance. A dry chemical extinguisher that has been
fired off requires a recharge. The service is the same.
In this service, the technician will take the fire extinguisher
out to his truck and will shoot the extinguisher off
into a reclaim bucket or a filling machine. He will
inspect the powder to make sure it has not caked or
gone bad, change out the valve stem and O-ring in the
extinguisher and visually inspect the cylinder for fissures,
rust, or cracks in the cylinder. He will then put the
extinguisher back together and fill it to its pressure
with nitrogen, a nonflammable gas. LP Gas line and Appliance
Hookups United Fire Protection is available for installations
of gas lines and gas powered appliances.
Hydrotest
Every 12 years dry chemical fire extinguishers require
a hydrotest. This service is to insure that the cylinder
has not suffered from rust damage or potting on the
inside or outside of the extinguisher. The extinguisher
is emptied out and filled with water. From there the
extinguisher is pressurized to its hydrotest pressure.
On most dry chemical extinguishers this pressure is
3 times the original. If a fire extinguisher has a 195
psi that extinguisher would be pressurized to 585 psi.
After the extinguisher has passed the pressure test
and dried completely, it is then recharged as a normal
dry chemical fire extinguisher.
Markings
As a fire extinguisher is serviced, your technician
will tag the extinguisher with the appropriate markings.
When an extinguisher is hydrotested, recharged, or receives
a six-year maintenance, a sticker will be placed on
the back of the extinguisher marking the service and,
if necessary, the hydrotest pressure. When the fire
extinguisher is certified it receives a certification
tag, which can be a paper tag or a sticker tag.
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