Fire Extinguishers
 
 Fire extinguishers are your first line of defense in fighting small fires. Crouch Fire & Safety Products is an authorized distributor of Amerex and Ansul fire extinguishers. We offer a wide variety of fire extinguishers suitable for virtually any application. Our technicians are trained and certified to inspect, service and maintain fire extinguishers. In addition, Crouch Fire & Safety Products sells and installs accessories such as fire extinguisher brackets, cabinets and signs.
Types of Fires
The chart below identifies the types of fires that occur.
TYPES OF FIRES |
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CLASS A |
Ordinary Combustibles:
Wood, paper, rubber, cloth, trash and other ordinary materials
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| CLASS B |
Flammable Liquids & Gases:
Gasoline, oils, paint, lacquer and tar
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| CLASS C |
Fires Involving Live Electrical Equipment |
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| CLASS D |
Combustibles Metals Or
Combustible Metal Alloys
Magnesium, titanium, potassium, zirconium, lithium and sodium
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| CLASS K |
Fires In Cooking Appliances That Involve Combustible Cooking Media:
Vegetable or animal oils and fats
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Types of Fire Extinguishers
Crouch Fire & Safety Products sells, installs and services all types of fire extinguishers. The types of fire extinguishers usually found in industrial, commercial and residential environments are listed below.
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Inspection – Inspection refers to a "quick check” of a fire extinguisher to make sure that it is available and will operate if needed. It is intended to give reasonable assurance that the fire extinguisher is fully charged and operable. The fire extinguisher must be checked to make sure it is in its designated place, and that there is no obvious physical damage or condition to prevent operation. Fire extinguishers must be inspected when initially placed in service and thereafter at 30-day intervals.
Maintenance – Maintenance is a thorough examination of the fire extinguisher. It is intended to give greater assurance that a fire extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination and any necessary repair or replacement. It will normally reveal if a recharge, six-year tear down or a hydrostatic test is needed. Maintenance on fire extinguishers must be performed annually.
Recharge – A fire extinguisher must be recharged after any use. When a fire extinguisher is recharged, it is emptied of all its contents and essential mechanical parts are dismantled, inspected and cleaned. At this time, any defective or worn parts are identified and replaced. The cylinder is then filled with the extinguishing agent, reassembled and pressurized.
Six-Year Tear Down – A six-year tear down is an "internal inspection” of the fire extinguisher to verify that all mechanical parts are working properly and that the agent has not been contaminated. The fire extinguisher must be emptied and subjected to the applicable maintenance procedures. Once the fire extinguisher is inspected internally, it is recharged and returned to service.
Hydrostatic Testing - Stored-pressure fire extinguishers must be hydrostatically tested at certain time intervals by following procedures specified by NFPA and DOT (National Fire Protection Association and Department of Transportation). A hydrostatic test is a "pressure test". It is performed on an extinguisher cylinder to check for structural weaknesses or flaws. An external inspection of the cylinder is also performed to check for excess pitting, corrosion, or other physical deformities. In addition, an internal inspection is performed on the extinguisher before it is recharged and returned to service.
Fire Extinguisher Training Programs
 Training your employees in the use of fire extinguishers is vital to a successful safety program. OSHA (Occupational Safety Health Administration) and fire codes require employers to train their employees on the selection and use of fire extinguishers at work. Crouch Fire & Safety Products offers a variety of professional fire training programs that educate employees on the proper use of fire extinguishers in the work place. Instructors are available to conduct classroom seminars and/or hands-on training and fire fighting demonstrations with your employees.
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