Fire Extinguisher is the most important safety thing to use in Office. So, it must be refilled after using it. Fire extinguishers need to be recharged occasionally as part of their regular maintenance routine.
If you choose to refill your own fire extinguisher, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual very carefully to ensure your extinguisher functions safely.
By the way, Don’t worry.
Here, in this article, I’m gonna show you the exact method of how you can refill the Fire Extinguisher.
Let’s get started.
Step #1: Checking and Cleaning the Extinguisher
1. Empty and depressurize Extinguisher:
First, check the manual for your fire extinguisher to find the proper procedure for depressurizing it. This usually involves holding the extinguisher vertically and slowly squeezing the discharge handle until the pressure gauge reads “0” and nothing comes out when you squeeze the handle.
- If you are using a dry chemical extinguisher, depressurize it by draining the contents into a dry chemical off recovery system or a general discharge bag.
- You will also need a special recovery system to drain and refill clean agent fire extinguishers such as Halon extinguishers.
2. Wipe the exterior of the extinguisher with a solvent-free cleanser.
To wipe and remove the Dust, Dirt, Use the mild Cleanser and Clean Clothsuch as warm water and dish soap. Dry the extinguisher with a clean rag or towel. As it may damage the plastic face of the pressure gauge, do not use any solvent-based Cleaning Products.
3. Remove the discharge hose from the operating valve
Remove the discharge hose from the operating valve. The discharge hose is usually attached to the valve with a threaded coupling.
These are the practice, you need to do to fix it.
- The hose is usually attached to an opening in the valve opposite the lever that you squeeze to release the extinguishing agent.
- The operating valve is a structure located at the top of the fire extinguisher that controls the flow of extinguishing agents out of the cylinder.
- Take this opportunity to inspect hoses, couplings, and hose gaskets for any signs of cracks, or damage.
4. Close the valve assembly
After removing the Valve, you can refill the fire extinguisher. Remove the operating valve from the top of the cylinder. Be careful not to scratch the inner surfaces of the valve, as this may cause a leak, and never lean over the extinguisher while you are removing the valve assembly. Depending on the model of your fire extinguisher, you may have;
- Pull out the ring pin and remove the seal.
- Use a wrench to loosen the ring that holds the valve assembly in place.
- Carefully remove internal components such as the siphon tube.
Step #2: Refilling the Fire Extinguisher
1. Buy the right type of filler for your extinguisher.
Check the label of the fire extinguisher to determine what type of filler you should use. It is important for your safety and the proper functioning of the extinguisher. Depending on what type of filler your extinguisher needs, you may be able to purchase it at a home supply store, or at an industrial supply or fire safety store.
Here are some types of Fire Extinguisher Filter;
- Water and foam extinguisher
- Water mist extinguisher
- Dry chemical fire extinguisher
- Wet chemical extinguisher
- CO2 Fire extinguisher
- Clean agent extinguisher
2. Clean the valve assembly with a soft cloth or brush and Reassemble
Separate the valve assembly by unscrewing the operating lever, the siphon tube, and the valve stem assembly. Wipe all loose parts thoroughly using a dry soft-bristled brush or a soft, clean rag.
- Inspect internal components for signs of wear or damage, such as cuts or scratches on the O-ring or valve stem seating.
- If you have an old plastic valve stem, replace it with a metal one from your extinguisher manufacturer.
3. Remove any remaining chemical agent from the cylinder
Check the Fire Extinguisher Proper and see if any agents are there or not. If so, empty it into a suitable disposal container and set it aside so you can dispose of it properly later. The type of disposal container you need will depend on what chemicals are in the fire extinguisher, so check the disposal instructions in the safety data sheet for your specific extinguishing agent.
- Reuse leftover chemical as long as it is in good condition and the right type for your extinguisher.
- The dry chemical found in most home fire extinguishers is generally considered non-toxic.
4. Fill the cylinder with the chemical specified on the label
Measure the perfect amount of Extinguish agent based on the capacity of The Fire Extinguisher. Depending on the make and model of your fire extinguisher, you may be able to simply insert a large funnel into the top of the extinguisher and pour in the extinguishing agent.
Here are the following Instruction for doing it;
- Use a plastic funnel instead of a metal to avoid scratching the top of the cylinder. You may need to use a filling system, which is a device that automatically feeds chemicals into the cylinder through a hose.
- You can also order a Fire extinguisher online refill service or purchase one from a local fire safety supply company.
- If you use a chemical recovery system, you can refill the extinguisher with the extinguishing agent you picked up during the cleanup process.
5. Clean the extinguisher to remove any chemical residue
After filling the cylinder with the chemical, use the brush to clean the threads on the cylinder collar. Here the valve assembly is attached to the cylinder neck. Wipe the rest of the cylinder with a clean cloth to remove any dust or splashes.
Conclusion
So, here are the exact and more effective methods to refill fire extinguishers. First, you need to clean the extinguisher and then refill the extinguisher with the chemical agent. I hope you have got the full step-by-step process of refilling the Fire extinguisher, from this article.
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