FlowMax Fire has put Ten Step Fire Prevention Plan. In response to the high number of devastating fires that occur every year, we have produced a 10-step plan to reduce the threat in case of fire. Simple measures such as selecting the right fire safety equipment for the home & office and preparing a response to fire can mean the difference between life and death.

We have tried to compile the following ten-step plan:

1. Install smoke alarms or check your existing alarms are working and clean. Replace the batteries if required.
2. Buy a fire blanket and locate it where it can be easily reached in an emergency. Near the kitchen door is ideal as most fires start in the kitchen.
3. Install a portable fire extinguisher. Check with your local fire service which model best suits your home & office and make sure the everybody knows how to operate it.
4. Create a fire escape plan for your home & office and display the plan in a central area.
5. Train your family & staff in an evacuation procedure and agree on an assembly area. Make sure the family members and your staff knows how to call the fire service.
6. Know what to do if clothing catches fire. Don’t Run, Remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL.
7. Take care in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended. Turn pot handles inwards.
8. If you are using heaters during winter seasons than heat your home safely. Place the heaters at least one metre from flammable items such as curtains, bedding and furniture.
9. Practice safe smoking. Wet down cigarette butts before disposing of them.
10. Have an electrician check the electrical wiring throughout the home & office and keep electrical appliances in good working order.

Care and Maintenance of your Fire Extinguisher:

Inspect fire extinguishers at least once a month (more often in severe environments). Fire extinguisher maintenance is important for everyone’s safety. You must ensure that:

• The extinguisher is not blocked by equipment or other objects that could interfere with access in an emergency.
• The pressure is at the recommended level - not too high and not too low.
• The nozzle or other parts are not hindered in any way.
• The pin and tamper seal (if it has one) are intact.
• There are no dents, leaks, rust, chemical deposits and/or other signs of abuse/wear. Wipe off any corrosive chemicals, oil, gunk etc. that may have deposited on the extinguisher.
• Some manufacturers recommend shaking your dry chemical extinguishers once a month to prevent the powder from settling/packing.
• If the extinguisher is damaged or needs recharging, replace it immediately!

Fire extinguishers should be pressure tested (a process called hydrostatic testing) after a number of years to ensure that the cylinder is safe to use. Consult your owner's manual, extinguisher label or the manufacturer to see when yours may need such testing.

IMPORTANT: Recharge all extinguishers immediately after use regardless of how much they were used.

What is the difference between a fire extinguisher inspection and fire extinguisher maintenance?
INSPECTION: An inspection is a “quick check” to give reasonable assurance that a fire extinguisher is available, fully charged and operable. The value of an inspection lies in the frequency, regularity, and thoroughness with which it is conducted. The frequency will vary from hourly to monthly, based on the needs of the situation. Inspections should always be conducted when extinguishers are initially placed in service and thereafter at approximately 30-day intervals.

MAINTENANCE: Fire extinguishers should be maintained at regular intervals (at least once a year), or when specifically indicated by an inspection. Maintenance is a “thorough check” of the extinguisher. It is intended to give maximum assurance that an extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination and any necessary repair, recharging or replacement. It will normally reveal the need for hydrostatic testing of an extinguisher.

HOW FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WORK? At the top of the cylinder, there is a smaller cylinder filled with compressed gas. A release valve acts as a locking mechanism and prevents this gas from escaping. When you pull the safety pin and squeeze the lever, the lever pushes on an actuating rod which presses the valve down to open a passage to the nozzle. The compressed gas is released, applying a downward pressure on the fire-extinguishing material. This pushes the material out the nozzle with high amounts of pressure.

Although the temptation is to aim the extinguisher at the flames, the proper way to use the extinguisher is to aim it directly at the fuel.

Once the fire is out, don't walk away! Watch the area for a few minutes in case it re-ignites. Recharge the extinguisher immediately after use.