This month, the US government was forced to recall almost 40 million fire extinguishers. The recall was issued after defects were discovered in November 2017. It was reported that the fire extinguishers could become clogged or “require excessive force to discharge” which could endanger the operator during an emergency.
This recall is a timely reminder to make sure our own equipment meets industry standards. In Australia, you can purchase extinguishers from a range of online stores and local hardware shops. To save you the trouble of searching for a reputable manufacturer, contact our team today. We can supply and install your fire protection equipment so that it meets the Australian standards.
When you’re deciding where to get a fire extinguisher, there are a couple of things you should look for…
Australian Standards for Fire Extinguishers
In Australia, fire extinguishers need to be manufactured in accordance with the AS 1841 standard. There are 8 parts to this standard, with each part detailing the specific requirements of each type of fire extinguisher.
To make sure your fire extinguisher is safe to use according to local laws, there will be a sticker from SAI Global detailing compliance with the relevant standard. It will look something like this:
As you can see in the picture, this cylinder is compliant with the AS/NZS 1841.5 standard. This standard covers thespecific requirements for powder type fire extinguishers. To ensure your extinguisher has been checked to the right standard, know which fire extinguisher you have.
When considering where to get a fire extinguisher, always check to make sure their products are compliant with local standards.
Where to Get a Fire Extinguisher Tested
At Jim’s Fire Safety, we offer fire extinguisher testing services to businesses around Australia. In order to ensure the ongoing usability of your fire protection equipment, you need to invest in regular test and inspection services.
This way, even if your product is defective, we will be able to detect the fault during an inspection. The easiest way to make sure you have access to quality equipment is to
- buy your extinguishers from a reputable supplier (contact us for fire extinguisher supply)
- make sure they have a sticker from SAI global
- invest in regular fire extinguisher inspection services
If you’d like to get in touch with a local technician, contact us today. Our team members are mobile and can come to your place of business at a time that suits you.
After we’ve completed our tests, you will receive a log book with results and a retest date for your equipment. This will help you prove compliance if you ever need to.
Fire extinguishers need to be inspected at least once every 6 months. To help you stay on top of your testing requirements, we have a free reminder service! We’ll let you know when the 6-month mark is coming up and book you in for an appointment.
Where can I get my fire extinguisher inspected? From the convenience of your business, all around Australia. Contact us now and we’ll stop by to make sure all of your fire protection equipment is safe to use.
Did we help you decide where to get a fire extinguisher? If you liked our article, make sure you share it with your friends so that they can stay safe during an emergency.
