Fire Extinguisher Procurement, Refurbishing

Department: Tool Department 

Topic:  

Process: Fire Extinguisher Procurement, Refurbishing 

Objective 

The purpose of this is to outline the process for the procurement, maintenance, and refurbishing of fire extinguishers. This ensures that fire safety equipment is available, functional, and compliant with relevant safety regulations to protect the workforce, property, and facility. This applies to all personnel involved in the procurement, inspection, servicing, refurbishment, and replacement of fire extinguishers within the company. It covers the entire lifecycle of fire extinguishers, from acquisition to end-of-life disposal.  

Things to Consider 

When refurbishing a fire extinguisher, key considerations include: inspecting for external damage like dents, rust, or corrosion, checking the pressure gauge to ensure it’s within the operating range, examining the nozzle and hose for obstructions or damage, verifying the integrity of safety seals, assessing the extinguishing agent for degradation, and performing a hydrostatic test if necessary, depending on the extinguisher’s age and type: all while ensuring the refurbishment is done by a qualified technician following relevant safety standards.  

Procedure 

Procurement of Fire Extinguishers 

Assessment of Need: 

• Determine the number and types of fire extinguishers required based on the size of the facility, risk assessments, fire hazards, and legal requirements.  

• Review existing extinguishers for any need for replacement or additional units.  

• Ensure that the selected extinguishers meet local and international safety standards for the types for risks present. 

Supplier Selection: 

• Identify approved suppliers who provide verified fire extinguishers with a track record of reliability. 

• Suppliers or Tool Department should offer extinguishers that match the specifications needed for the facility (ABC, CO2, foam extinguishers). 

Ordering: 

• Place an order based on the identified needs and specifications.  

• Ensure that fire extinguishers are ordered with the appropriate accessories (mounting brackets, signage, tags) and that warranty information is included.  

Delivery and Inspection: 

• Upon delivery, inspect fire extinguishers to certify they meet order specifications and are free from damage. 

• Confirm that the fire extinguishers have the necessary certification and are within their expiry period.  

Inventory Update: 

• Update the inventory system (Align) with new extinguishers, including serial numbers, type, and locations. 

Documentation: 

• Maintain records of purchase orders, invoices, inspection reports, and certifications for auditing and compliance purposes.  

• Regular Maintenance and Inspections 

Scheduled Inspections: 

• Conduct regular inspections of all fire extinguishers on all worksite (monthly or quarterly) to check for signs of damage, leakage, or corrosion. 

• Ensure that extinguishers are easily accessible and clearly visible. Verify the pressure gauge is in the green zone, and that pins, seals, and labels are intact. 

Inspection checklist: 

• Check the following during inspections: 

• Pressure gauge readings (ensuring it’s in the operational range). 

• Physical condition (no visible damage, rust, or corrosion). 

• Tamper seals and pins (ensure they are intact and not broken). 

• Clear signage indicating location. 

• Proper weight and size per the type of fire extinguisher. 

• Expiration date or service date, if applicable.  

• Reporting: 

• Any defects or non-compliance found during the inspection must be reported immediately to the Tool Department or Safety Manager. 

• Maintenance Action: 

• If an extinguisher is found to be faulty or near the end of its service life, it should be removed from service and refurbished, repaired, or replaced. 

• Refurbishing of Fire Extinguishers 

• Criteria for Refurbishment: 

• Extinguishers that are not damaged but require maintenance (recharge after use, cylinder inspection, valve maintenance) should be sent for refurbishment. 

• Fire extinguishers that are damaged beyond repair or have expired certifications should be replaced rather than refurbished. 

• Selection of Refurbishing Service: 

• Choose a verified and licensed fire extinguisher servicing company for refurbishing work. Ensure they follow the legal requirements and industry standards. 

• Process for Refurbishing: 

• Send the extinguishers to a licensed service provider or contractor for professional refurbishment. 

• The service may include: 

• Recharge of extinguishing agent 

• Pressure testing and valve servicing. 

• Inspection and cleaning of the cylinder. 

• Repainting and ensuring proper labeling. 

• Refurbishing Documentation: 

• Ensure that each refurbished extinguisher is re-certified with appropriate documentation, including a new inspection sticker and service tag. 

• Record all refurbishing details (date, parts replaced, service provider, and inspection results). 

• Testing: 

• After refurbishment, perform an additional inspection to verify that the extinguisher meets the required safety standards before returning it to service. 

• Inventory Update: 

• Update inventory records to reflect that the extinguisher has been refurbished, including the service date and expiry date of the refurbishment. 

• Disposal of Out-of-Service Fire Extinguishers 

• End-of-Life Extinguishers: 

• Fire extinguishers that are beyond their service life, cannot be refurbished, or are no longer compliant with safety standards must be disposed of properly. 

• Disposal Process: 

• Disposing of fire extinguishers should comply with local environmental and safety regulations. 

• Engage a certified disposal service to ensure that the extinguishers are decommissioned safely, with any hazardous materials (chemicals) properly handled. 

• Documentation: 

• Keep a record of the disposal process, including the serial number of extinguishers disposed of the disposal service used, and the disposal date.  

• Emergency and Ad-Hoc Refurbishment 

• Emergency Use: 

• If a fire extinguisher is used in an emergency, it should be immediately sent for recharging, inspection, or servicing as required. Ensure that the extinguisher is not put back into service until it is properly refilled and checked.  

• Ad-Hoc Refurbishment: 

• Any fire extinguisher that shows signs of damage or malfunction should be sent for urgent refurbishment as soon as it identified.  

Monitoring and Auditing 

• Regular Audits: 

• Conduct periodic audits of fire extinguishers to ensure that they are properly maintained, up to date with servicing, and compliant with all regulations. 

• Record-Keeping: 

• Maintain accurate records of all procurement, inspection, maintenance, refurbishment, and disposal activities for auditing purposes.