More than Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

"Is it really a year since you were last here?"

The familiar response to the annual visit from a fire extinguisher technician often masks the irritation many businesses feel at the (relatively) high cost of maintaining portable fire extinguishers.

However, those costs reflect the skills and qualifications of qualified technicians and the implications that might arise from visit to business premises by an untrained technician must be considered.

Provided the process of selection of the maintenance contractor is guided by the correct criteria: BAFE approved, third party assessed, carrying all the right insurances and accreditations (check www.fia.uk.com for further details), the technician is worth their weight in gold for your business! In most instances, this technician may be just contracted to service the portable fire equipment but the reality is, a business can get considerably much, much more than this from the technician.

Obviously the technician's first duty is to carry out the work they are employed for, primarily the service of the portable extinguishers, to the current British Standard 5306 part 3. Whilst on the way around the building, other elements are considered, such as they will ensure that the equipment in place is fit for the risk it is provided for, as things change inside the work place. This could include relocating and fitting any equipment that has been moved around. New machinery, changes in processes, new products being used or manufactured, an added kitchen or temporary Portakabin, these areas need evaluation to consider whether, the Fire Risk level has changed, increased or even decreased. Departments also move inside buildings and the change in fire risk is often not even considered.

In all premises just ensuring fire equipment is located correctly, not obstructed and that there are no signs of tampering or discharge can justify a regular visit alone. The Fire extinguisher technician is fully trained to recognise all of these areas and will advise on the movement of equipment or, change of equipment if required, using BS 5306 part 8 as the reference document or indeed their bible.

The technician will also inform the staff on the type of portable equipment, and give instruction on how to safely use the extinguishers and what to use them on.

Most fire protection companies now train their technicians in the recognition and installation of escape and warning signs, therefore whilst the technician is on the premises, they will make sure that all the firefighting equipment, doors, alarms and extinguishers etc. are identified to meet the required standard. Evacuation from the building in the event of a problem is crucial and the means of escape has to be clearly signed. The engineer only using signs that conform to the correct standards, detailing non-compliant signs and offering the correct solution will ensure that the means of escape is clear and visible for the site.

We wrote earlier about instructions of how to use portable equipment. This is not classed as training, however the engineer will check to see if a more in depth training package is required and can advise on this with the responsible person on site.

Once the engineer has completed the service, there are a couple of things left for him to do. He will fill in the log book and issue certificates of maintenance ensuring that the business has documentation, if needed to show the enforcing authorities as proof, and that maintenance regimes are in place for fire protection equipment.

The technician may also be able to arrange for a Risk Assessor to attend site to carry out a full Risk Assessment in accordance with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. This will ensure businesses are complying with the law.

Many technicians have the capability for fire door servicing, as they are already on site. Checking door closure rates, inspecting gaps, adjusting closers, recommending replacement furniture and intumescent strips when and where required. Probably something most businesses have never considered however one of the best and most important elements of fire protection device's a company has.

The portable fire extinguisher technician is trained and keeps up to date with all the current codes of practice therefore delivering a more detailed, clear and in depth service than just maintenance of fire extinguishers.

Following the relevant codes of practice, they will keep the responsible person up to date with any changes that occur from his last visit.

Although some properties may not require frequent visits, most will benefit from third-party verification that their fire safety systems and the correct procedures in place.