Fire equipment maintenance

Fire equipment maintenance

Fire fighting equipment protects people and businesses during fire accidents. It keeps people safe wherever they live and work. Regular inspection and servicing of the equipment meant for the safety of the occupants to the relevant standards is very crucial. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual inspections are done to ensure the equipment's functionality, and maintain all other aspects of fire safety management.

Trained personnel need to involve in the checking of fire fighting equipment, which is usually provided by the installer, or the installer's agent, or even by a servicing organization. The equipment includes fire detection and alarm systems; emergency and escape lighting systems; sprinkler systems; fire door automatic release mechanisms; portable fire extinguishers; gaseous, foam and powder extinguishing systems; smoke control systems including systems using pressure differentials; evacuation lifts for persons with disabilities; fire hydrants; hose reels; fire mains; fire doors, and other related things.

Fire Safety Equipment Maintenance Plans

The Standard plan provides regular round-the-clock maintenance and call-out services. The Standard Plus plan, in addition to the services provided in the Standard plan comprises initial service of new fire safety equipment, its disposal, and charges of minor parts and refills. The comprehensive plan covers all the engineers, attendance charges, and services of the Standard Plus plan. However, the charges are not covered in the case of the equipment being damaged by users, or third parties, or natural calamities. Replacement of all major parts is chargeable under all the plans.

Services Offered

A yearly basic service is done for the maintenance of fire fighting equipment. Safety clip and indicating devices are inspected to find out whether the fire extinguisher has been operated. Pressure indicating devices on stored pressure extinguishers are checked to see if the pressure limits are within normal ranges. The body of the fire equipment is examined for corrosion, dents or damage. The hose, horn and nozzle are checked. The equipment is weighed for loss of contents. Operating instructions are verified for accuracy and legibility. Gas cartridges in appropriate extinguishers are inspected.

An extended service includes the basic service and the discharge test. The fire fighting equipment is discharged under controlled conditions to test its working efficacy. Its internal body is examined for corrosion or lining damage. If it is in a good condition, then it is refilled, recharged and returned to service. The extended service is done once in five years for water, foam and powder based extinguishers, and once in ten years for primary seal powder extinguishers. An overhaul service interval for CO2 extinguishers is ten years. The maintenance record of the service should be affixed to the fire fighting equipment.

The basic requirement in any premises is the presence of a fire fighting equipment in a good operating condition. The regular maintenance checks with a suitable plan are highly essential. The equipment has to be maintained to fulfil the relevant standards and conditions according to the Regulatory

ReformOrder 2005. This ensures safety of people and businesses, and is also responsible for the right kind of confidence among people in their environment.