- Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Types of Portable Extinguishers

Silco Fire Protection Company offers a wide variety of portable extinguishers. From Amerex's 2.5 lb. multi-purpose extinguishers to Ansul's 1300 lb. Twin-Agent Skid Systems.

We are a full-service company providing
complete hazard analysis, installation,
and service of fire protection equipment for
business, industry, commercial
establishments and restaurants.

Click to read more...

................................................................

About Silco Fire Protection

Silco Fire Protection Company has offices
in, Cincinnati, Akron, Dayton, and Columbus,
Ohio. Our Core Market Area includes the
South Western, North Eastern, Western
and Central Ohio Regions. Other areas
include Northern Kentucky and the South
Eastern corner of Indiana.

We are a full-service company providing
complete hazard analysis, installation,
and service of fire protection equipment for
business, industry, commercial
establishments and restaurants.

Click to read more...
.

Please come back at a later date to view our FAQ's page. We are currently taking the time to compose a list of our customers most frequent questions to add to the site. If you have any questions that the answers for are not listed below, please feel free to contact us now by clicking here, or visiting one of our key contacts by clicking here.

Q. Where can I Have My Fire Extinguisher Re-charged?

A. When Its time to have a fire Extinguisher Re-Charged you should always take it to an experienced Fire Extinguisher service company. A good company will have the extinguishing agent and possible replacement parts on hand. As always Silco Fire Protection Company continues to offer excellent service to all our customers. NFPA 10 2007 Ed. tells us under 4-5.1.1 "All rechargeable-type fire extinguishers shall be recharged after any use or as indicated by an inspection or when performing maintenance."

Q. What Kind Of Maintenance Is Required For a Fire Extinguisher?

There are three types of fire extinguishers;

A. Stored Pressure (most common) If it has a pressure gauge its a stored pressure, however there is one exception to this. High pressure cylinders such as carbon dioxide (CO2) do not have a pressure gauge but are easy to recognize because of the discharge horn. Moreover a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is very heavy.

Cartridge Operated (sometimes called ansuls)

Manual Hand Pump (usually water is the extinguishing agent) When do they become too old? Well there are many variables to this questions. However we will break it down further. First and foremost fire extinguishers require scheduled maintenance to ensure that it is ready in an emergency. Now I will walk you through the life of a typical fire extinguisher.

I purchased a 10 Lb ABC dry chemical Fire extinguisher in 1990 1990 - 1995 The fire extinguisher required a fire extinguisher company with the proper tools and training to conduct an annual fire extinguisher inspection. At this point a new service tag is placed on the fire extinguisher, this is required for state and local fire inspections.

1996- The fire extinguisher will have its annual inspection, however at this time it will have a six year maintenance inspection conducted. This means the fire extinguisher will have its contents expelled, be broken down and all internal parts inspected. The "O"-ring and valve stem are replaced at this time a service collar is placed on the fire extinguisher and reassembled.

1997- 2001 The fire extinguisher required a fire extinguisher company with the proper tools and training to conduct an annual fire extinguisher inspection. At this point a new service tag is placed on the fire extinguisher, this is required for state and local fire inspections.

2002 - The fire extinguisher will have a hydrostatic test conducted. The contents expelled and the fire extinguisher is broken down. Testing procedures are conducted by persons trained in pressure testing procedures and safeguards who have suitable testing equipment, facilities and appropriate servicing manual (s) available. Each fire extinguisher manufacture has parameters on conducting hydrostatic tests of their respective fire extinguishers. The fire extinguisher recharged and placed back in-service. A hydrostatic test label is placed on the side of the fire extinguisher.

The above process is repeated until the fire extinguisher fails or the technician deems the fire extinguisher unsafe.

Here is a list of common problems.

Cylinder threads worn, corroded, broken, cracked, or nicked.
Corrosion that has caused pitting.
Where the fire extinguisher has been burned in a fire.
Where the depth of a dent exceeds one-tenth of the greatest dimension of the dent if not in a weld.
Where any local or general corrosion, cuts, gouges, or dings have removed more than 10 percent of the minimum cylinder wall thickness.

If you have questions please feel free and give us a call, our employees are always willing to help.

---

Q. Who Comes Up With The Rules when it come to Fire Extinguishers?

A. Just like many aspects of our world there are many administrative agencies that regulate fire extinguishers.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers)

Department of Transportation (CFR 49 173.309)

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (CFR 29 1910.157)

Compressed Gas Association CGA C-1 (hydrostatic testing)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI/UL 1803)

State and Local Fire Officials (Authority having Jurisdiction) see definition (AHJ) The organization, office, or individuals responsible for approving equipment, materials, and installation, or a procedure.

Summed up, the local governmental agency usually the Fire Chief or his/her designee has the final say.

Q. When does a Fire Extinguisher Become Too Old?

A. It depends on the unit, however it is industry standard to replace many models after 20 years of service.

Q. Obsolete Fire Extinguishers how do deal with them?

A. The following types of fire extinguishers are considered obsolete and shall be removed from service.

Dry-Chemical Stored Pressure Extinguishers made before 1984 shall be removed from service at their next six-year or hydrostatic test.

Soda acid Chemical foam (excluding film-forming foam)

Vaporizing liquid (e.g., carbon tetrachloride) see below

Cartridge-operated loaded stream Copper or brass shell (excluding pump tanks)

Carbon Dioxide extinguishers with metal horns

Carbon Tetrachloride hand held and glass bulb type fire extinguishers.
These are EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. Please use extreme caution if you come across these units. Carbon Tetrachloride is a hazardous substance and shall be handled by trained personnel. Carbon Tetrachloride requires proper disposal DO NOT dump it.

Fire Extinguishers are considered a Hazardous Material and must be properly disposed of. Silco Fire Protection Company can help you with the disposal of your old unwanted Fire Extinguishers.