Fire Fighting Equipment Maintenance Procedure and Process

by Engr. Kh. Mashiur Rahman | Oct 20, 2019 | Fire & Saftey

Fire Fighting Equipment Maintenance

All fire extinguishing equipment numbered / Identified, on register and checked monthly by safety representative according to the checklist attached. The objective of this section is to implement and manage a system to effectively control the employment and placement, training, delegation of duties to and involvement of personal and job factors which give rise to unsafe acts and or conditions are identified and that steps be taken to eliminate or minimize these in order to prevent injury or damage causing accidents…

General Checks Applicable to all Fire Extinguishers

• General condition and cleaning ness for Fire Fighting Equipment Maintenance
• Legibility, correctness and completeness of marking
• Check for corrosion and serious physical damage to the container of the extinguisher. Damage
• to seam or joints is not acceptable and the extinguisher to be taken out of service.
• Check for any corrosion or physical damage to any component parts.
• Check the operation of operating levers, plungers, discharge control valves, safety relief valves etc.
• Examine all threads for mechanical damage.
• Examine all seals or sealing edges for physical damage.
• Record date of inspection on durable adhesive label or any other type of label and fix
• firmly on to the extinguisher.
• Examine mounting brackets for physical damage and anchorage for security.

Check List

• Fire Fighting Equipment Maintenance – Check the mass of the extinguisher against the mass recorded when put into service. Recharge if the loss of mass exceeds 5% of the contents or more than the percentage recommended by the manufacturer.
• Check the hose horn & operating mechanism for proper condition & functioning.
• Senior Executive Manager Designated Responsible for safety
• Person(s) Made Responsible for Safety / Occupational Hygiene Coordination
• Designation of Safety Representatives
• Safety Committee
• On the Job Safety Communication
• First Aider and Facilities
• First Aid Training
• Posters, Bulletins, Newsletter, Safety Films and Internal Competitions, Etc.
• Injury Experience and Star Grading Board
• Suggestion Scheme
• Safety Reference Library
• Annual Report ( Monthly, Quarterly, Bi-annually)
• Induction and Job Safety Training
• NOSA Approved Safety Training Courses.
• Medical Examination
• Selection and Placement
• Plant inspection Safety Representative
• Management Safety Audit
• Safety Specifications: Purchasing and Engineering Control-New Plant and Contractors.
• Written Safe Work Procedures: Issued and used
• Planned Job Observation
• Work Permits
• Off the Job Safety
• Safety Policy: Management Involvement
• Open the container and pour the powder into a clean receptacle.
• Open the extinguisher, check the liquid level. Pour into a clean container the foam solution.
• Check the mass of gas cartridge against that marked on the cartridge. The cartridge must be renewed if a loss of more than 5% of the contents is recorded or more than that recommended by the manufacturer.
• Replace the initial liquid charge.
• Visually inspect the control valve seal, nozzle and draw-off shackle fitted. Check that the nozzle is not blocked. Check that lock opens and shuts easily. Lubricate and replace if still difficult to operate. Check reel box is firmly bolted to wall.
• Un-roll all hose check general condition, replace if perished. Check hose clamps for tightness. Rewind hose and store nozzle in holders.
• Visually inspect the hydrant pillar. Check rubber washers, replace if perished. Flash hydrant to remove any foreign matter in the hydrant pipe.
• Remove all traces of powder from the inside and outside of the container, discharge hose nozzle and the control valve assembly and the actuating machineries.
• Examine the powder for caking, lumps or foreign matter and if present a complete new charge of powder must be used.
• Check the mass of the cartridge against that marked on the cartridge. The cartridge must be renewed if loss of more than 5% of the contents is recorded or more than that recommended by the manufacturer.
• Avoid mixing or cross contamination of different powders for Fire Fighting Equipment Maintenance

Fire Extinguishing Equipment

To provide adequate equipment to ensure effective response in the event of a fire.

Fire risks identified and assessed.( attach details of assessment indicating persons consulted, date and results of assessment and action plan )

Adequate number of correct types of fire extinguishing equipment provided and correctly located. ( provide list of equipment along with locations )

All existinguishers to be mounted with tops approximately 1.2 to 1.3 m above floor level in easily accessible locations.( Indicate fire extinguisher locations on a site plan provide a fire plan at / near gate house )

To control access to company premises to prevent losses.Control of entry and exit of persons, vehicles, etc.(list details of security system used)            Security Staff reporting unsafe acts/conditions. Security staff to be trained to identify unsafe acts/conditions, spot checks. Conducted on fire equipment, lighting, air conditions etc. and reported in Occurrence Book.

Objective:To ensure corrective coordination of fire and emergency activities.Appointed in writing duties defined as per format.

(Copy of letter of designation to be placed on file) Minimum Training

(Details of training to be listed) Emergency Action Plan available

Emergency plan devised to cover all eventualities and copies to be available to all employees on a “ need-to-know” basis.