What is the maintenance of fire protection equipment?
When purchasing fire protection equipment, you have a responsibility to maintain the equipment optimally. It is essential to call in professionals to ensure that these systems are in perfect condition.
Depending on the type of firefighting system, it needs different maintenance. Each country also has its own inspection and maintenance standards.
The basic maintenance is: check that everything works correctly, that the weight and pressure are adequate. Also, the container does not show possible signs of corrosion. If a more extensive review is done, a check of the extinguishing agent would also be included.
These checks should be done every 3 months, although the mandatory by law must be done once a year. Every five years, a hydrostatic test must be carried out on the container to check and make sure that it does not have deformities and that it will be able to withstand the pressure.
The same thing happens to smoke alarms as with fire extinguishers, different attention is necessary for each type. Those that detect smoke through their visibility and temperature must be cleaned periodically so that they do not accumulate dust and can give false alarms. And the battery must be changed as specified by each manufacturer.
How to mark the fire extinguishers?
The place where the Fire extinguisher is placed is of utmost importance to achieve,
The placement of the same will be at a height of 1.4-1.5m so that the handle does not exceed the 1.7m indicated by the regulations. It is advisable not to place it too high so that it can be easily accessed.
Correctly signaling the extinguishers is something that must be done. If it is done with photoluminescent materials, it is achieved that they emit light. When there is an electrical failure, thus facilitating the location of the extinguisher.
The signals also serve to control that the extinguisher is held in place. If you see a sign without an extinguisher, you can check that everything is correct or you have to take certain measures.
Regarding the shape of the sign, it can be rectangular or square with the correct dimensions to facilitate its visualization depending on the distance at which it is necessary to see it. The height at which it will be placed must be high enough so that it can be easily seen, also taking into account the possible obstacles that we may encounter.
If necessary, a signal indicating the location of the extinguisher will be combined with the signal indicating the direction to be followed to where it is located.
Tips for preventing fires at home.
The Professional Association of Fire Technicians together with the GCTL Foundation produced in 2020 a brochure with the ten tips for preventing fires at home.
- Check the electrical installation: the entire electrical installation should always be checked. Those parts that are in poor condition must be replaced, avoiding temporary splices.
- Watch the gas: rooms with gas cookers, heaters or stoves must have ventilation to the outside. Butane cylinders must always be stored outdoors.
- Attention to stoves and radiators: the stove should never be placed near furniture or curtains. It is also not recommended to put clothes on top of them to dry.
- Maximum caution with braziers: charcoal or wood braziers are very dangerous; they can be the focus of a domestic fire.
- Beware of flammable products: flammable products cannot be handled, posed or stored near hot spots.
- Clean the hood and chimney: both should be cleaned periodically. The accumulation of dirt can cause fires.
- Space between heaters: portable water heaters must be located with sufficient distance from any object or material liable to burn.
- Be careful with the lamps: you should never place anything on top of the lamps to dim the light.
- Check the fire safety systems: each of the fire prevention equipment has a useful life. It is highly recommended to consult the manufacturer for their expiration date to be able to replace them when necessary.
- Alert to carelessness: leaving the candles burning, the iron on your clothes, smoking … These are some of the most frequent oversights that cause the most domestic fires.
To be protected, it is always advisable to have the Fire Protection System Pack for the home, so we will make sure that our home will always be protected since it has a 3 kg multipurpose ABC powder extinguisher and 2 autonomous smoke detectors to place in the areas most prone to these accidents.
Expired extinguisher: what to do with it?
When an extinguisher is expired, the components inside can become toxic, so it is very important to dispose of them in a correct way.
In the event that your extinguisher has already been recharged as many times as possible, they must be disposed of in a safe way.
Fire extinguishers work with a propellant gas that causes its contents to be expelled through the hose. Habitually
It is usually dry Nitrogen with a state of purity above 95%, generating an internal pressure of 10 bars onwards.
This circumstance, together with those of the components, makes an adequate and correct management of this waste necessary and basic.
What you should never do is throw an expired extinguisher in the trash. Fire extinguishers are classified as toxic waste.
If you have doubts about what to do with your expired extinguisher you can always contact us. At GCTL recycle in accordance with the law and certify waste management.
How to avoid a fire in your car?
The main cause for a flame to develop in a car is the heat that, together with the combustion of a flammable material, forms a lethal combination.
In addition, plastic coverings or upholstery are very flammable, which can help the fire to spread more easily.
Today we are going to leave you some tips to avoid a fire in the vehicle:
- You have to be extremely careful with the lighters, or even stop smoking inside the car. Both lighters and badly extinguished cigarettes or matches can be the focus of the flame.
In the same way, you must have a special control with the electronic elements, since if there is a bad connection, sparks can jump and unwanted combustion may occur.
- The battery, due to its chemical composition, makes it a source of heat, and poor handling and maintenance can cause sparks. The hydrogen it contains can also cause an explosion.
- Periodically reviewing any damage that the car may have been a good way to prevent these accidents.
For added safety, always carry a fire extinguisher in the vehicle. In order to do so, act effectively and be able to smother the flames quickly. On our website you can find a wide variety of fire extinguishers so that they can adapt to your needs.
