What Happens When You Neglect Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

As a business owner, you understand the importance of ensuring your workplace is safe for your employees and customers. However, it can be easy to overlook the maintenance of fire extinguishers when there’s so much else to manage. When you neglect fire extinguisher maintenance, though, you may be setting yourself up for some severe and potentially devastating consequences. 

 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what can happen when businesses neglect this important fire safety tool and provide some tips on how to avoid it.

 

1. Malfunctioning Fire Extinguishers

 

Simply put, when fire extinguishers aren’t adequately maintained, they may not work when you need them to. A malfunctioning fire extinguisher may result in longer response times, allowing the fire to spread. This can ultimately lead to increased damage and more extensive repair costs. 

 

Furthermore, a malfunctioning fire extinguisher puts your employees and customers in danger. They rely on these crucial safety tools to be available in case of an emergency. So, by neglecting fire extinguisher maintenance, you’re essentially putting both property and people at risk.

 

2. Decreased Life Span

 

Did you know that fire extinguishers that receive little or no maintenance often malfunction more frequently and have a shorter lifespan than those that do? Without proper servicing, fire extinguishers are more likely to rust, become clogged or develop significant damage over time. 

 

In fact, at a certain point, you may need to replace them altogether. And replacing faulty fire extinguishers will not only be more expensive than maintaining them, but it also takes a toll on the environment.

 

3. Legal Consequences

 

The law mandates that businesses must keep fire extinguishers on their premises and maintain them to ensure function properly. So, when you neglect fire extinguisher maintenance, you would be violating safety regulations and health and safety law. 

 

Non-compliance to fire extinguisher maintenance also leaves businesses open to potential legal action, which can lead to further expenses. And these expenses would almost surely be more than the cost of regular maintenance.

 

Tips on Avoiding Fire Extinguisher Neglect

 

When you have a million other things to do at your business, it’s easy to forget about fire extinguisher maintenance. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of it:

 

  • Have a Documented Maintenance Schedule: Businesses should have a documented maintenance plan in place and stick to it strictly. This will ensure that all fire extinguishers are inspected and maintained regularly, reducing the risk of malfunction and potential hazards.
  • Keep a Log of Inspections: Keep a record of all inspections, including dates, results, and any necessary repairs or replacements made. This will help track the maintenance history of each fire extinguisher and provide evidence of compliance during inspections.
  • Conduct Regular Checks: In addition to scheduled maintenance, businesses should conduct frequent visual checks of fire extinguishers. This includes checking for physical damage, ensuring easy accessibility, and making sure the pressure gauge is in the correct range.

 

The Bottom Line

 

Neglecting fire extinguisher maintenance may save a business money in the long run, but also puts lives and property at risk. Therefore, regular maintenance of these essential safety tools is necessary for any responsible enterprise. 

 

It’s always important to keep in mind that fire extinguishers protect the premise, the people in it, and the future of the business. By making sure your fire extinguishers are in good condition, you’ll decrease the likelihood of fires and ensure that your workplace is safe and secure for employees and customers alike.

 

Need a hand inspecting and maintaining your fire extinguishers? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Click here to get in touch with Fire-Alert, and take advantage of our mobile fire extinguisher services today.