How to Store Your Fire Safety Equipment

Every home and business needs fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers. To make sure that your fire extinguishers fore properly when the time comes, you need to do two things. First, find a fire extinguisher supplier known for providing reliable and high-quality safety equipment. Second, store your fire extinguishers in a safe and proper place that will prevent damage and corrosion. The tips here will allow you to get the most out of your fire safety equipment.

Buying a Fire Extinguisher

As you search for a fire extinguisher in Canada, you should bear in mind that certain extinguishers are designed for certain uses. For example, a fire extinguisher for a commercial building will likely fight different fire causes than one bought for home use, where a fire is much more likely to occur in a kitchen. Similarly, an industrial area that deals with hazardous chemicals also has different needs. If you are looking for fire extinguishers for sale for home use, you should seek out one that is coded ABC, which allows you to deal with all common flame sources that might cause a fire in a residence. Considering these environmental factors will also determine what sort of safety storage equipment you purchase with your extinguisher.

Locating a Proper Space

Portable fire extinguishers should be stored at room temperature in an area where there is a significant risk of fire, such as a kitchen in a residential home. The extinguisher should be kept off the ground to reduce corrosion and should be kept in a dry place. In addition to environmental factors, the biggest risk to fire extinguishers is a drop, kick, or other impact that might damage either the container or the trigger mechanism. For this reason, many people protect their extinguishers by using safety storage techniques such as placing a mount off the ground or relying on a fire extinguisher cabinet.

Choosing an Extinguisher Box

One of the easiest ways to keep your fire extinguisher safe from damage is to buy a fire extinguisher cabinet. Also known as a fire extinguisher box, this cabinet allows secure store of the extinguisher until it is time to use it. These boxes are often made of stainless steel, aluminium, or plastic and have a scored plexiglass front. The plexiglass is resistant to damage but can be broken easily with a breaker bar that attaches to the cabinet. When you purchase an extinguisher box, consider the depth you want for it. Ideally, the cabinet should not extend too far from your wall. Some people opt for a partially or fully recessed cabinet, in which case the box is placed in an indent within the wall to keep it out of the way but still accessible.

Storing your fire extinguisher and other safety equipment involves identifying the best brand for your needs, considering what requirements it has for storage, and then adjusting properly for your space. A fire extinguisher cabinet can greatly help in this regard, protecting the extinguisher from corrosion and other damage.

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.