TESTING AND RECHARGING OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Periodic maintenance and Quarterly maintenance of fire extinguishers will help in checking and keeping back in standard condition so that no problems are encountered during operation either application-wise or safety-wise. A well planned and approved maintenance schedule will help in maintaining the fire extinguishers to the required working condition.
To understand the working condition of all the components critically, fire extinguishers are subjected to tests in a cyclical manner like
· ANNUAL MAINTENANCE TEST: These tests are carried out annually to examine the cylinder and its components in detail apart along with physical damages. The annual testing is combined with other tests if the need arises as per schedule
· HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TEST: All extinguishers are tested for Hydraulic pressure test with a test interval of 3 years, with a test pressure of 35 kg/cm2 and pressure maintained for 2.5 minutes. During this test there should not be any visible distortion or leakage, else this should be replaced. For carbon dioxide and clean agent fire extinguishers the hydraulic test is conducted whenever these are sent for recharging (either during a periodic inspection, maintenance or after discharge during firefighting)
· PERFORMANCE TEST: This test is done once in 2 to 5 years as per the Standard requirement of all fire extinguishers in an Annual cyclical manner. This test is carried out to understand the performance of the fire extinguisher.
RECHARGING OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
WATER-BASED (GAS CARTRIDGE TYPE)
1) Open the extinguisher cap along with gas cartridge assembly slowly
2) Check the Gas cartridge for corrosion (if found corroded this has also to be replaced)
3) Check the Gas cartridge mass if loss of more than 10% of the original mass is observed then Gas cartridge has to be replaced and the removed Gas cartridge to be sent back
4) Checking the water level and throw away the water
5) Check the body inside and outside for any corrosion or damage using a proper illumination source to check the internal body. (if found to be defective then immediately extinguisher should be discontinued from service and sent for Hydraulic testing and other specific tests as per requirement).
6) While replacing the Gas cartridge into the Gas cartridge assembly the piercing mechanism to be checked for working condition
7) While replacing the Gas cartridge care should be taken that the SIZE selected should be appropriate to the CAPACITY of the fire extinguisher ( refer to the manual)
8) The parts attached to the Fire extinguisher like Hose, Nozzle, Strainer, Internal discharge tube, sealing washer to be checked, if not in good condition to be cleaned.
9) In the end, the water to be filled till the indicator provided inside and can be checked for mass through weight.
MECHANICAL FOAM-BASED (GAS CARTRIDGE)
1) Open the extinguisher cap along with gas cartridge assembly slowly
2) Check the Gas cartridge for corrosion (if found corroded this has also to be replaced)
3) Check the Gas cartridge mass if loss of more than 10% of the original mass is observed then Gas cartridge has to be replaced and the removed Gas cartridge to be sent back
4) Check the foam concentrate level and pour the contents into a clean container and check for sediment at the bottom of the cylinder, if there is any sediment/sludge settled, it has to be cleaned and removed for any traces
5) Check the body inside and outside for any corrosion or damage using a proper illumination source to check the internal body. (if found to be defective then immediately extinguisher should be discontinued from service and sent for Hydraulic testing and other specific tests as per requirement).
6) While replacing the Gas cartridge into the Gas cartridge assembly the piercing mechanism to be checked for working condition
7) While replacing the Gas cartridge care should be taken that the SIZE selected should be appropriate to the CAPACITY of the fire extinguisher (refer to the manual)
8) The parts attached to Fire extinguisher like Hose, Foam generating Nozzle, Strainer, Internal discharge tube, sealing washer to be checked, if not in good condition to be cleaned.
9) Check and clean the hose assembly and remove any traces of dust sediments at either shank ends
10) At the end fresh charge of foam concentrate to the added as per the requirement and balance water to be filled till the liquid level indicator.
DRY POWDER-BASED (GAS CARTRIDGE):
1) Operate the discharge control on the nozzle to ensure that any pressure build-up in the hose and extinguisher
2) Open the extinguisher cap along with gas cartridge assembly slowly
3) Check the Gas cartridge for corrosion (if found corroded this has also to be replaced)
4) Check the Gas cartridge mass if loss of more than 10% of the original mass is observed then Gas cartridge has to be replaced and the removed Gas cartridge to be sent back
5) Empty the dry powder and check for sediment at the bottom of the cylinder for caking, lumps or foreign material. The inner body to be cleaned for any lumps settled.
6) Check the body inside and outside for any corrosion or damage using a proper illumination source to check the internal body. (if found to be defective then immediately extinguisher should be discontinued from service and sent for Hydraulic testing and other specific tests as per requirement).
7) While replacing the Gas cartridge into the Gas cartridge assembly the piercing mechanism to be checked for working condition
8) While replacing the Gas cartridge care should be taken that the SIZE selected should be appropriate to the CAPACITY of the fire extinguisher (refer to the manual)
9) The parts attached to Fire extinguisher like Hose, Foam generating Nozzle, Strainer, Internal discharge tube, sealing washer to be checked, if not in good condition to be cleaned.
10) Check and clean the hose assembly and remove any traces of dust sediments at either shank ends
11) In the end fresh charge of DRY POWDER (ABC/BC) as per the same chemical composition as per the previous one.
RECHARGING OF STORED PRESSURE, CO2 AND CLEAN AGENT BASED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
These types of fire extinguishers are in pressurized condition, for recharging purposes they are sent to the concerned Manufacturer or his authorized workshop for filling and checking.
· Only standard industrial grade nitrogen with a dew point of -51°C should be used for pressurizing DRY CHEMICAL and HALOGENATED TYPE Fire extinguishers.
· The pressure gauge should be checked before and after discharge for its correctness, the normal reading is around 15 Bar
· After recharging a leak test to be carried out on stored pressure fire extinguishers
Article by PJ Mohan
Sr.Faculty, NIFS
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