Fire extinguishers are a vitally important health and safety item which can be used to tackle all kinds of fires in both workplaces and domestic settings. Different fire extinguishers are available to tackle different types of fire – foam, water, carbon dioxide, dry powder or wet chemicals – and it’s really important that all staff who are located within the workplace receive regular training on their use and operation in the event of an emergency.
Having your workplace’s fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment carefully inspected and serviced once each year is an important part of all businesses’ responsibility and compliance. You must also ensure that you are fully and safely equipped to tackle any fires promptly and effectively as soon as they occur, without delay.
What’s the law on fire extinguisher servicing?
Legally, fire extinguishers ought to be serviced and tested every 12 months, to ensure they are in date and in full working order. Reliable P50 fire extinguishers, like those seen at https://www.lsfiresolutions.co.uk/fire-extinguishers/ecoextinguishers/p50, very rarely develop faults, but since they are potentially life-saving equipment, it’s absolutely essential to get all fire extinguishers serviced to ensure they’re in optimum condition.
Are there different types of extinguishers for different fires?
Fortunately, P50 fire extinguishers contain a powder which is suitable for tackling class A, class B and class C fires – that is to say, combustible materials, flammable liquids and flammable gases. Indeed, defective electrical equipment is one of the leading causes of workplace fires, according to industrial training experts TSW.
Of course, accidents happen and human error is part of life, so having a fire extinguisher on hand and in full working order is essential to safeguard your employees at all times.
If health and safety in the workplace is within your remit or you employ staff in your small business, do ensure that you reach out to a qualified, certified technician to service your fire extinguishers at least once each year to ensure their longevity and effectiveness as well as checking for any deficiencies or problems that might impede their use.
