Monthly extinguisher checks

[auxitrooper]

If you are required to check your extinguishers on a monthly basis what sort of system do you use to get them done? How many do you have to check? Does this responsibility fall to just one person or divided among many? How do you ensure they're all being checked each month and not being done several months in advance or just before the fire marshal shows up?

[Mr. Security]

There is an extensive thread on this already - try the search feature. :)

[Ranger05]

Our Fire Extinguishers are checked once a month. Our facility is broken up into 10 zones. We are each (5 of us) assigned 2 zones (same each month). Each extinguisher has a Monthly Checklist Tag on it thats dated and signed. Each extinguisher is also numbered from 1 to ???. Theres also a checklist we take with us and sign off each extinguisher as it's checked. This list stays in the Security Office. They can be checked at any time during the month as long as common since is used. For example, completing your PM's on June 31, and then doing July's on the 3rd is not acceptable.

[FireEMSPolice]

We check ours every Sunday after the place closes. Our officer has a map of the mall and marks the boxes where the extinguisher is located as to weather or not the extinguisher is charged or need to be recharged. There are a few dozen.

[keane6750]

It's a joke here. The inspector comes in and points out all of our flaws and we get the blame. I find numerous things. Propane cyinders in dorms, curtains touching heater elements, an entire building full of expired extinguishers that are 3 months overdue for an inspection.
I work graveyard shift so a large chunk of my job is to patrol and find everything that's an issue. Now, I can report it but it doesn't mean anything will get taken care of. If it does it takes 2 months. 2 MONTHS for something to get rectified but that's after 2 straight months of reporting it and constantly bugging the senior officer and the head of the department to address it.
I know, it's impressive. I'm waiting for this place to burst into flames.

[dbs10]

I made a master data base for all my extinguishers. It includes type, location, and serial numbers. I made an assignment list that the officer had to write down the serial number of the extinguisher in the space next to the listed location. The assignments are required to be completed no later than the
15th of each month.. The assignments are posted on the 1st of the month. I also made an excell file to keep track of assignments and so I could see who was getting the assignments completed on time. All the completed assignment sheet are then placed into a 3 ring binder to verify they were done like they are supposed to be.

[sec-guy]

I made a master data base for all my extinguishers. It includes type, location, and serial numbers. I made an assignment list that the officer had to write down the serial number of the extinguisher in the space next to the listed location. The assignments are required to be completed no later than the
15th of each month.. The assignments are posted on the 1st of the month. I also made an excell file to keep track of assignments and so I could see who was getting the assignments completed on time. All the completed assignment sheet are then placed into a 3 ring binder to verify they were done like they are supposed to be.

You are very well organizated. If we every get to do inspections I'll
certainly be using your ideas.

[Bill Warnock]

dbs10 you have made a significant contribution to this forum for which you are to be commended.
Fellow members this person is a true self-starter and a true blessing to this, our industry.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[kaia]

Inspect fire extinguishers at least once a month (more often in severe environments). Fire extinguisher maintenance is important for everyone’s safety. An inspection is a “quick check” to give reasonable assurance that a fire extinguisher is available, fully charged and operable. The value of an inspection lies in the frequency, regularity, and thoroughness with which it is conducted. The frequency will vary from hourly to monthly, based on the needs of the situation. Inspections should always be conducted when extinguishers are initially placed in service and thereafter at approximately 30-day intervals.