Refilling process of Fire Extinguisher

1. Fire Extinguisher
General Maintenance & Refilling

2. WHAT IS A FIRE
EXTINGUISHER?
Fire Extinguisher is a fire protection
device used to control or extinguish a
small fire usually in emergency
situations.
It is not intended to use on an out-of-
control fire.

3. TYPES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
Clean Agent Type
Foam Type
Dry Powder TypeWater Type
CO2 Type
Wet Chemical Type

4. Combination of Heat, Fuel & Oxygen
HEAT FUELFIRE
OXYGEN
Extinguishing a fire is based upon the principal of keeping fuel sources &
ignition sources separately.

5. Fire is classified according
to the type of fuel that is
burning. Hence it is very
important to identify the
class of fire & use right
type of fire extinguisher.
If one uses the wrong type
of fire extinguisher , it
might make the situation
worst.

6. Any time you use your fire extinguisher, it will need to be refilled or recharged
immediately.
Even if the extinguishing agent inside was not completely discharged, the extinguisher
still needs to be serviced in order to make sure it’s ready for its next use.
Fire extinguishers also need to be recharged occasionally as part of their regular
maintenance routine.
It’s best to have your extinguisher refilled and serviced by a trained fire safety
professional.
Extinguishers can also need to be internally examined or recharged due to damage or
other environmental factors that may result in them becoming depressurized.

8. FIRE EXTINGUISHER VISUAL
INSPECTION
Here are the essential steps for
how to inspect a fire extinguisher:
 Visibility - Check each extinguisher is placed in it’s
correct location, and is unobstructed and visible.
 Legible instructions - Confirm the operating
instructions are legible, clean and facing outwards.
 Locking pin – Verify the locking pin is intact, and the
tamper indicators and seals are unbroken.
 Ready to use- Ensure the extinguisher is charged and
hasn’t been operated.
 Pressure rating – Read the pressure rating on the
gauge or indicator, and ensure it is within the safety
limits.

9.  Dent, rusting, scratches or gouges on
cylinders
Excessive dirt
Corrosion and leakage
Clogged nozzle or wand
Frayed or split hose
Cracked or damaged horn
If your fire extinguisher is damaged, it’s ability to put
out fire could be affected, when you need it the most
Types of Fire extinguisher damage include:

10. Refilling of Fire Extinguishers
A fire extinguisher needs refilling on two accounts:
First: If the fire extinguisher is used, even partially, it is useless in case
of a subsequent fire scenario. Hence it is essential to get the fire
extinguisher recharged immediately, without any delay.
Second: The statutory framework in the country makes it mandatory
for the shell of the fire extinguisher to undergo Hydrostatic Pressure
Test every 3 years.

11. Refilling Process:
Fire Extinguisher undergoes the following standard process for refilling
……
Step – 1
The Fire Extinguisher
is manually
discharged / fired and
emptied.

12. The extinguisher is then dismantled
completely; cylinder is de-stressed.
Step – 2

13. The cylinder then is
made to undergo a
Hydro Static Pressure
Test at 30kgf cm sq
for 2 minutes to check
for leaks and the burst
capacity.
Step – 3

14. The cylinder undergoes
the fresh painting process by
first, Static Charge Powder
coating and then baking in
Oven at 180 degrees for 15
minutes. This results into a
super fine quality and durable
new paint surface on the
cylinder.
Step – 4

15. Step – 5
New extinguishing agent
(powder, gas, water or foam) is
filled in the cylinder through a
vacuum based process that fills
the cylinder with exact quantity
of extinguishing agent.

16. New Discharge fitment
mechanism including all
new rubber seals, O rings,
and hose pipe (EPDM with
50 kg burst capacity) are
attached.
Step – 6

17. Fire extinguisher
is charged/pressurize
d with 99.99% pure
nitrogen mixed with
helium.
Step – 7

18. The Fire Extinguisher is
then
made to go through Leak
tests. The first is an
inverted beaker test in
water and second is foam
testing.
Step – 8

19. Things to keep in mind
 Never go for an un-authorized refill.
 On average, fire extinguishers last between 5-15 years. If your extinguisher is older than
5-10 years, hire a fire technician to determine whether you should buy a new one.
 Know about the classification of fire before you use fire extinguisher.
 Know what type of extinguishers are used in different types of fire.
 Fire Extinguishers are used only in case of small fire.
 A licensed contractor must service your equipment every 12 months.

20. ZAPFIRE
Plot No-477, Sarhaul Raod, Sec-18, Gurgaon -122015, Haryana
Email- info@zapfire.org
Mob - 9958170709