Fire Extinguisher Maintenance: Frequency and Types of Maintenance in Portugal
Keeping your fire extinguishers in good condition is essential for fire safety. Regular maintenance ensures that your extinguishers work properly when needed. Here are the guidelines for maintaining the various types of fire extinguishers in Portugal:
Water and Foam Extinguisher Maintenance
Monthly Inspection:
- Check the pressure.
- Ensure the security seal is intact.
- Inspect the physical integrity of the extinguisher and accessibility.
Annual Maintenance:
- Complete inspection of cylinder and components by certified technicians.
- Checking the pressure gauge.
- Replace water or foam load if necessary.
- Checking and, if necessary, replacing worn parts.
Validity:
- Water and foam extinguishers have a shelf life of 5 years from the date of manufacture.
- After this period, it is necessary to recharge it to ensure that the extinguisher is still in suitable conditions for use.
Maintenance of Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers
Monthly Inspection:
- Check the pressure.
- Make sure the security seal is intact.
- Inspect the physical integrity of the extinguisher and accessibility.
Annual Maintenance:
- Complete inspection of cylinder and components by certified technicians.
- Checking the pressure gauge.
- Replace chemical powder if necessary.
- Checking and replacing worn parts.
Validity:
- Dry chemical fire extinguishers have a shelf life of 5 years from the date of manufacture.
- After this period, it is necessary to recharge it to ensure that the extinguisher is still in suitable conditions for use.
CO2 Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Monthly Inspection:
- Check the weight of the extinguisher (CO2 extinguishers do not have a pressure gauge).
- Ensure the security seal is intact.
- Inspect the physical integrity of the extinguisher and accessibility.
Annual Maintenance:
- Complete inspection of cylinder and components by certified technicians.
- Weight check.
- Checking and replacing worn parts.
Maintenance every 10 years:
- Hydrostatic test to assess cylinder integrity.
Validity:
- CO2 fire extinguishers have a shelf life of 10 years from the date of manufacture.
- After this period, a hydrostatic test must be carried out to ensure the safety of the cylinder.
Maintenance of Halon Fire Extinguishers (Only in Specific Cases)
Halon extinguishers are progressively being phased out due to their environmental impact, but can still be found in certain specialist environments.
Monthly Inspection:
- Check the pressure.
- Make sure the security seal is intact.
- Inspect the physical integrity of the extinguisher and accessibility.
Annual Maintenance:
- Complete inspection of cylinder and components by certified technicians.
- Checking the pressure gauge.
- Checking and replacing worn parts.
Validity:
- Halon extinguishers have a shelf life of 5 years from the date of manufacture.
- After this period, it is necessary to recharge it to ensure that the extinguisher is still in suitable conditions for use.
Conclusion
Keeping your fire extinguishers up to date is a vital responsibility to ensure the safety of any environment. Following established maintenance standards and performing regular inspections helps ensure that your fire extinguishers are ready for use in the event of an emergency. Annual maintenance should be performed by certified technicians to ensure compliance with safety standards. If you need assistance with fire extinguisher maintenance, contact a company certified by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).