The number of fire extinguishers one needs in their building depends on the size, layout and hazard level of the building. Generally, you will want Class A extinguishers placed no more than 75 feet of space between one another. Class B extinguishers should be placed no more than 50 feet of space between one another.

For more information on fire extinguishers, contact Black Bird Fire Protection online or by calling us at (714) 462-6095.

Fire extinguishers sit inactive a vast majority of the time. The best way to tell if fire extinguishers are working is to schedule routine fire extinguisher inspections. Simple checks can be performed yourself monthly, but more in-depth testing and maintenance from a professional must be completed annually.

Extinguishers need to be recharged and examined by a professional if they show any of the following deficiencies: low-pressure reading, illegible operating instructions, broken or missing safety seals and tamper indicators, obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or a clogged nozzle.

Every six years, your fire extinguishers must go through a complete breakdown and internal inspection from a professional. Every twelve years (5 years for vehicle-mounted and some others), your fire extinguishers must go through hydrostatic testing from a professional to ensure there is no damage to the extinguisher shell, hose, and nozzle, whether due to metal fatigue or other causes.

Contact Black Bird Fire Protection for your fire extinguisher inspection today— online or by calling (714) 462-6095.

Classes of Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguisher classes are determined by the type of fires they are designed to extinguish. These classes include:

Class A extinguishers- Class A fire extinguishers put out ordinary fires that involve everyday combustible materials, including paper, cloth, wood, cardboard, and plastic. This type of fire can occur in any home or typical business setting.

Class B extinguishers – Class B fire extinguishers fight flammable liquid fires. Burning oil, gasoline, kerosene, and propane can spread fire incredibly quickly, making them very destructive. Class B fires can occur anywhere flammable liquids are used or stored.

Class C extinguishers- Class C extinguishers are effective at fighting electrical fires without creating an electrocution risk. Any time a spark from a faulty appliance, short circuit, or overloaded outlet ignites a flame, it’s considered a Class C fire, no matter what objects are burning.

Multipurpose fire extinguishers- are common. You might find AB, BC, or ABC extinguishers designed to put out a combination of ordinary, flammable liquid, and electrical fires, which are the most common types that occur in homes and businesses.

Class D extinguishers- Class D extinguishers are designed for combustible metal fires. Sodium, potassium, titanium, and magnesium are all examples of combustible metals, which may be found in chemical laboratories and industrial buildings.

Class K extinguishers- Class K extinguishers put out kitchen fires. Because cooking grease and oil burn at a higher temperature than other flammable liquids, this special classification is needed for restaurants and other commercial kitchens to prevent the fires from re-igniting.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Various extinguishing agents are used to put out Class A, B, C, D, and K fires. Consider your choices:

Dry chemical- extinguishers are the most widely used type of extinguisher. They are effective against Class A, B, and C fires because they create a barrier between the oxygen in the air and the fire’s fuel source to choke out the flames.

Clean agent extinguishers- put out Class A, B, and C fires. Older halogenated models are still in use, but newer and less ozone-depleting halocarbons are the only type of clean agent extinguishers manufactured today.

Water mist extinguishers- are safe to use against Class A and C fires. They are a viable alternative to clean agent extinguishers when contamination and cleanup are a concern.

Water and foam extinguishers- are for Class A fires only. They disrupt the fire triangle by cooling and smothering the flames to cut off the oxygen source.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers- are effective against Class B and C fires. They replace the oxygen in the vicinity with carbon dioxide and cool the flames with their icy discharge.

Dry powder extinguishers- are for Class D fires. They are ineffective on all other fire classes.

Wet chemical extinguishers- are for Class K fires. They work by removing heat from the fire triangle and creating a barrier between the oxygen and the fuel source to prevent re-ignition. You can also use wet chemical extinguishers to fight Class A fires that break out in commercial kitchens.

To get started, please contact Black Bird Fire Protection today. We provide fire protection services throughout Southern California.

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has set standards requiring any workplace with fire extinguishers available for employee use to additionally provide an educational program for employees to familiarize themselves with the basics of using a fire extinguisher along with the hazards associated with using a fire extinguisher.

For more information on the fire extinguisher training classes, we offer, please contact Black Bird Fire Protection online or by calling 714-462-6095.

There are two simple ways to make sure your fire extinguishers are always properly charged. The first way is by making sure you lift and shake your fire extinguishers once a month and have all other necessary fire extinguisher maintenance. The second way is to make sure you have your fire extinguishers recharged every time you use them – this way you’ll always know they’re safe.

Extinguishers also need to be recharged and examined by a professional if they show any of the following deficiencies: low-pressure reading, illegible operating instructions, broken or missing safety seals and tamper indicators, obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or a clogged nozzle.

The dry chemical contents inside your fire extinguisher are kept under pressure over long periods of time, which can eventually cause damage to the extinguisher shell. To ensure the shell, hose, and nozzle have no defects, whether due to metal fatigue or other causes, the extinguisher shells are emptied, filled with colored water, and brought up to a specified pressure over a short period of time (typically 30 seconds). The shell must be able to hold that pressure for one minute (or the time specified by the manufacturer’s maintenance procedures) while the cylinder is inspected for signs of stress, leaks, bulging, and other indications of metal fatigue. Hoses on some extinguishers must also be hydrostatically tested.

Class K. Fires involving cooking fats and oils (classified as class K in the U.S.) burn hotter than most flammable liquids, rendering a standard class B extinguisher ineffective. Such fires should be extinguished with a wet chemical extinguisher. Extinguishers of this type are designed to extinguish cooking fats and oils through saponification. Saponification is the process by which the extinguishing agent rapidly converts the burning substance to a non-combustible soap. This process is endothermic, meaning that it absorbs thermal energy from its surroundings, which decreases the temperature of the surroundings, further inhibiting the fire.

Make sure you never put water on a flaming pan of oil. “Just like with class B fires, a solid stream of water should never extinguish Class K fires because it can cause the fuel to scatter, spreading the flames.

Clean agent fire extinguishers are specifically designed to combat electrical fires while preserving delicate electrical and electronic equipment. We recommend using clean agent such as a Halotron, Halon or CO2 extinguisher as it discharges as a rapidly evaporating liquid that leaves no residue.

According to the NFPA, kitchen hood suppression system service must be performed on a semi-annual basis and when systems are activated.

Not only is the commercial fire protection company you have hired going to do a full fire suppression system inspection, but the certified technician will also service the system with new parts and correct any problems.

This is what you can expect during your system inspection:

• Nozzles from which the extinguishing agent is discharged are inspected for build-up.
• Nozzle caps are replaced if needed.
• Air is run through the extinguishing lines to make sure there is no blockage.
• The manual pull station is pulled to make sure it activates the system.
• Pressure gauges are checked for proper PSI.
• Operation of a gas shut-off valve tested and microswitch tested if applicable.
• Check the CO2 cartridge for a hydro date or replacement.
• Adjust and clean the link line as needed.
• Remove system tank for inspection and inspection of the hydrostatic test date.
• Install new links with the date stamped on them for proof of service for the fire marshal inspection.
• Check that the gas shuts off upon activation.
• Test that the electrical shut off upon activation.
• File your inspection certification with the local fire authority.
• Tag the system showing certification was completed by a professional according to regulations.

At Black Bird Fire Protection, we have trained and certified technicians who can provide semi-annual kitchen hood inspections and service.

We will provide any necessary replacement parts as needed, tag your kitchen hood suppression system, and provide any documentation showing the system has been certified.

In addition to this service, Black Bird Fire Protection also provides installation, annual service, and sales of fire extinguishers. Give us a call at (714)462-6095 to see how we can help you!

A fire sprinkler system is designed to be set off when heated air that is typically over 165 degrees Fahrenheit is detected. The odds of a fire sprinkler system going off by accident are very slim.

No, fire sprinklers are activated by high heat not by smoke.

Each fire sprinkler head operates independently. Fire sprinkler heads do not all discharge at the same time. When a temperate change is detected in one room it’ll activate the sprinkler heads located in that area only. Sprinkler heads only go off when there is a fire to put out as the fire sprinkler heads detect increases in temperature.

Fire sprinkler systems are required to be inspected and tested annually per NFPA and Title 19. Once the annual test is completed, a certification tag is affixed to the fire sprinkler riser. Testing must be performed by a licensed fire protection technician.

If it is time for your fire sprinkler system to be tested, the experts at Black Bird Fire Protection would love to work with you. We are a full-service fire protection company. We provide testing and inspections along with repairs on a variety of fire protection systems. We would be happy to help you make sure your system is in working order and is compliant per code. You can reach us at (714) 462-6095

Black Bird Fire Protection follows NFPA 25 and Title 19 regulations. The annual fire sprinkler inspection and testing include, but it not limited to, inspection/testing of the following:

• Control valve signs

• Waterflow devices

• Supervisory devices

• Gauges

• Water supply pressure below and above check valves

• Pressure readings

• FDC (Fire Department Connection)

• Alarm valves

• Fire sprinkler heads

• Exposed pipes

• Fittings, hangers/bracings

   

• A 5-year fire sprinkler test consists of all the items in an annual fire sprinkler inspection and test with the only additional item of an FDC (Fire Department Connection) backflush. The FDC backflush is an extremely important part of the 5-year inspection. Over time, debris and trash can enter through the FDC opening if the caps are not securely in place. When the FDC backflush is performed, it removes all the debris and trash from your fire sprinkler system. This process is vital in keeping your fire sprinkler system in safe and working condition as debris and trash will cause clogging in your pipes and sprinklers. The water flow will also be reduced with debris and trash preventing the fire sprinkler heads from being activated. This process will help protect your building against fires.

  Fire Departments require a 5-year certification because of the California State Law Title 19 mandate. Insurance companies will also require this certification because it ensures your property’s fire sprinkler system is up to code.

  Through inspections of fire sprinkler systems, peace of mind will be provided to tenants, property owners, and to insurance companies.

If your building does not pass an annual fire sprinkler test or 5-year fire sprinkler test, the AES test report will be provided with the deficiencies along with a written proposal for the repairs needed for retest and certification of your fire sprinkler risers. Once repairs are approved, our Service Manager will reach out to schedule the repairs and recertification. Once repairs have been completed, your fire sprinkler riser(s) will be certified, and a passing AES report will be provided along with the invoice. The AES report will be provided to the authority having jurisdiction or AHJ, also known as the fire department.

No, the fire sprinklers heads are only visually inspected. No fire sprinkler heads will go off during the inspection and test.

Please call us at (714) 462-6095 to speak with one of our fire protection experts.

To request a quote, you can call us at (714) 462-6095 or you can click on this link to request a quote via our website.