Monthly Inspections (The Quick Check)

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! We’ve covered where to put extinguishers. Today, we're focusing on the Competent Person's vital role in maintaining readiness: Monthly Inspections.

An extinguisher that hasn't been checked is an unreliable control. A quick check ensures the extinguisher is ready to use when seconds count.

The Importance of Monthly Checks

While fire extinguishers require professional, annual maintenance checks (called certifications), the site's designated Competent Person must perform a simple visual inspection every month.

The goal is to catch obvious defects that would render the extinguisher useless in a fire, ensuring it remains: Pressurized, In-service, Accessible, and Sealed.

The Four-Point Monthly Checklist

This quick check takes less than a minute per extinguisher:

1. Pressure: Check the pressure gauge. The needle must be in the green zone. If it's in the red (either too high or too low), the extinguisher must be replaced, tagged and immediately sent for service.

2. Pin and Seal: Verify that the safety pin is intact and the tamper seal is not broken or missing. A missing seal or pin indicates the unit may have been partially used or tampered with.

3. Accessibility: Ensure the path to the extinguisher is clear and unobstructed. Verify the extinguisher is conspicuously marked and mounted correctly (top no higher than 5 feet from the floor).

4. Physical Condition: Look for visible damage, corrosion, or leaks. The nozzle must be clear of debris (like mud or dust) and the instruction label must be legible.

If an extinguisher fails any of these four points, it must be tagged "Out of Service" and replaced with a serviceable unit immediately. There is no time for delay when dealing with fire safety.

Tomorrow, we'll learn the step-by-step procedure for using an extinguisher: the P.A.S.S. method.

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-The Safety Man