MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Throughout your Air Force career, you most likely have seen many models of portable fire extinguishers in vehicles, residences and in your workplace. Not only is it important to know how to use your extinguishers, it is important to understand your role in the inspection and maintenance process for them as well.
The Moody Fire Prevention Office would like you to have a working knowledge of fire extinguishers. Hopefully through training you know how to use and operate them as they could save lives and property.
Units are responsible for portable fire extinguishers in their facilities and vehicles. Users are also responsible for conducting user inspections. This inspection is a quick check to give reasonable assurance that a fire extinguisher is available, fully charged and operable.
The value of this inspection lies in the frequency, regularity and thoroughness with which it is conducted. Inspections should always be performed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, when extinguishers are initially placed in service and at approximately 30-day intervals after that. This inspection must be documented and results should be readily accessible. These records can be maintained electronically or in the facility manager’s building folder.
Units are also responsible for scheduling extinguisher maintenance which, unlike user inspections, must be performed by a certified technician. Fire extinguishers must be maintained annually and every six and twelve years, or when indicated by a user inspection. Inspections are intended to give maximum assurance that an extinguisher will operate effectively and safely, and includes a complete examination and any necessary repair, recharging or replacement. The extinguisher must also be tagged by the technician, indicating the month and year the maintenance was performed, to let users and fire inspectors know the extinguisher is in compliance with required standards.
Since extinguisher maintenance is required to be performed by a certified technician, the Fire Prevention Office staff has worked with the Contracting Squadron to set up a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with a local fire equipment maintenance company for your convenience. For maintenance and inspection, follow your unit's Government Purchase Card procedures and then contact Security Fire Equipment Company in Valdosta at (229) 242-1816.
It is important for units to coordinate with the installation’s Fire Prevention Office staff when fire extinguishers need replacement. As there are many makes and models of fire extinguishers for purchase, the Fire Prevention Office staff can provide guidance to ensure the correct fire extinguisher is selected as many factors are taken into account to determine the appropriate models for your facility.
Additionally, due to a recent change to a Department of Defense Unified Facility Criteria (UFC), certain facilities are not required to have general purpose extinguishers. This change does not prohibit a unit from keeping general purpose extinguishers for their facilities, but allows for their removal in certain circumstances. Also, this change does not override regulatory requirements for special purpose extinguishers needed within your organization.
For more detailed extinguisher information, whether or not a facility within your unit is eligible for removing general purpose extinguishers, or to schedule unit or shop specific fire extinguisher training, please feel free to contact the Fire Prevention Office staff at 257-4410. For further information regarding the current Fire Extinguisher BPA, please contact the Contracting Squadron at 257-3947.