Having a fire extinguisher in any facility is vital to ensure everyone’s safety. After all, you never know when a fire will start. It’s also important to have one at home since most fires start in a kitchen or garage. Now, the most common question is how many times can you use a fire extinguisher since most people are torn between throwing it away or keeping it after using it for the first time.
The truth is that it depends on a few factors. So, how many times can you use a fire extinguisher? You can use a fire extinguisher many times as long as you recharge it and refill it. The exact number of times depends on the type and the brand. Now, once you’ve removed the pin and used some of the content, you have to have professional recharging and refilling of it.
As you can see, you need to know more about fire extinguishers. From knowing when to recharge it to where and how to use it. If you want to know all this and make sure that you use it correctly in case you ever need it, just read more below.
There’s an easy acronym to help you remember how to use it and the expiration date for a household fire extinguisher. All you have to do is to read carefully until the end.
You Can Use A Fire Extinguisher More Than Once As Long As You Refill It
The number of times that you can use a fire extinguisher will vary accordingly to the type and the brand of the fire extinguisher that you’re using. Therefore, it’s hard to determine the exact number of times that you’re going to use it. Not only that but you also have to worry about how much of the content have you used to try to put out the fire.
The only thing that you can know is that you will have to refill the fire extinguisher and recharge it. The refilling process is to replace the foam that you used when putting out the fire. The recharging is to actually regulate the pressure after you’ve taken the pinout. This is to make sure that the fire extinguisher will work properly.
So, make sure to always refill and recharge the fire extinguisher after you’ve used it. Also, make sure that you have a high-quality one at your home and place of work. This is the only way to make sure that it’ll work the way it’s supposed to. The First Alert Fire Extinguisher PRO 5 is one of the best recommendations when it comes to fire extinguishers. It’s high-quality and easy to use. Click here to view on Amazon.
Remember P.A.S.S Before Using The Fire Extinguisher
This is one of the easiest acronyms to remember, and it’s quite a useful one. It’ll help you to properly use the fire extinguisher and it only requires 4 steps. It’s so easy that even kids learn it. So, make sure that you repeat it enough times until you’ve memorized it. P.A.S.S.
- P= pull
- A= aim
- S= squeeze
- S= sweep
The first step is for you to pull the pin completely out of the fire extinguisher. Keep in mind that you’re supposed to maintain control of the nozzle to make sure that you don’t just hit something else that it’s not on fire.
Then, you must aim. This part is quite easy since it only requires that you direct the extinguisher to the place that it’s on fire. You must aim at the origin of the fire since that’s where you can end it for good.
Next, you’re going to squeeze the handle with the other hand that it’s not controlling the nozzle. You have to be firm and try to be calm. Oftentimes people get frightened at the sound of the extinguisher after you press the handle.
Finally, you do a sweep motion with the nozzle of the extinguisher. This allows you to put out the fire much faster than any other technique.
You Cannot Put The Pin Back In It
This is a common misconception that people have, and it’s important to point it out. You should never put the pin back in the fire extinguisher. You need to have a professional regulating the pressure to normal levels. When you pull the pin out of the fire extinguisher, you take the pressure off of it. When you’re going to use it again, it might not work properly.
Now, this can’t be emphasized enough. You should never put the pin back in it. Just make sure that you use the fire extinguisher properly, and then, have a professional handling it for you. They’ll be able to put the extinguisher back to its ideal state.
So, make sure that you don’t put the pin back in yourself. It’s important to refill the fire extinguisher even if you didn’t use it too much it. You don’t want to not have enough next time you decide to use it. Look for a large one. The First Alert FE2A10GR is one of the best fire extinguishers that are large in size. Get yours from Amazon here.
Household Fire Extinguishers Last 6-12 Years
There’s a good chance that you either have or are thinking about having a fire extinguisher at your house. In this case, you don’t need to get those that are for commercial buildings. A household fire extinguisher is enough for you. No need to go get a super large one.
Now, if you do decide to get a household fire extinguisher, you should keep in mind that they last 6-12 years while they’re unused. This is great since it lasts a long time, but it’s really easy to forget that you need to replace the one you have with a new one.
So, make sure that you do get a household fire extinguisher, but make sure that you keep track of its expiration date. Otherwise, you risk having a fire extinguisher that doesn’t work properly. The Amerex B500 is excellent for household use. Grab yours on Amazon here.
Always Check What Type Of Fire Extinguisher You’re Handling
There are 5 main types of fire extinguishers. You should always make sure that you get the ones that will work for normal fires in a household, or you risk getting the one that won’t get the job done. They’re classified by letters and they mean the type of chemical that they have inside like foam, water, and etc.
The best that you can choose for a household is the A-B-C extinguisher or universal extinguisher. This type of fire extinguisher handles more than one type of object on fire. It’s excellent for houses because you can usually have more than one room on fire, which would mean different necessities.
So, make sure that you get a universal fire extinguisher if you’re looking for one for your house. It’s also important to check out the size of the can and the quality of the brand. The First Alert HOME1 is one of the highest-rated fire extinguishers for homes. Take a look at it on Amazon here.
Make Sure You Have A Professional Recharging It
This was highlighted before, but make sure that you recharge the fire extinguisher every time after you’ve used it. When you take the pin out, so you can use it, you take the pressure that it’s inside off as well. This means that the fire extinguisher won’t work as well the next time if you don’t have a professional handling it.
This is simple and rather inexpensive, so you don’t need to worry. Now, you can also decide to have more than one fire extinguisher, so you don’t have to worry about refilling it or recharging it. You just get rid of the used one and get the new one to replace it.
So, remember to have professional recharging and refilling the fire extinguisher. If that’s not for you, then just get a new one. It’s actually a good idea to have more than one around the house. The First Alert 1038789 is another excellent recommendation, in case you’re considering having more than one fire extinguisher. Click here to view the pricing on Amazon.
When It’s Time Take To The Right Place For Disposal
It’s always important to point that you should dispose of the fire extinguisher properly. So, the final tip is to do so. You can dispose of it in a recycling center or with the local fire department.
Whichever way you choose, the important thing is to not just throw it away with your regular trash. The content is toxic, so it’s a real danger for you and the population in general.
So, make sure that you take the used fire extinguisher to a recycling center or the fire department.
Final Thoughts
That’s how many times you can use a fire extinguisher. You can use it more than once, but you should have it recharged and refilled. That’s the safest and the best thing that you can do.