Do’s and Don’ts of Fire Extinguisher Storage: How And Where To Store Them

Fire Extinguisher Storage: Skulking In The Distance Or Just A Coincidence?

When you think about fire extinguishers, what comes to your mind? Maybe you think of them beaming proud and red in their elevated glass cases. Perhaps a travel-sized car extinguisher comes to mind. Either way, many of us have seen them in the movie theater hallways, in hospital waiting rooms, and even in our own kitchens by the stove. It’s easy for this life-saving piece of equipment to fade into the background. After all, we don’t really need it until we need it, right? But have you ever considered that whenever it is needed, it’s always within reasonable reach? 

This is all by design. It may seem as though your fire extinguisher is always just lurking in the shadows, or skulking around corners waiting for the perfect moment to save the day, but in reality, fire extinguishers are quite strategically placed and are placed this way for a reason. In this article, Safe-T Fire Protection will discuss all about fire extinguisher storage and go over the do’s and don’ts when it comes to storing (or strategically placing) one in your Buford, GA home.

A Brief Breakdown of Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are composed of a few central components that determine how and where they are stored. At the basic level, a fire extinguisher consists of a tank, a valve assembly, a nozzle, an extinguishing agent, and a propellant. Due to the nature of these components and the highly pressurized substance that fire extinguishers contain, fire extinguishers must be stored in a manner that does not disturb or distort these components. Distortions can cause extinguisher explosions and render your extinguisher useless in an emergency.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Fire Extinguisher Storage

We’ve compiled our expert list of four do’s and four absolute don’ts for fire extinguisher storage. A simple storage mistake can be the difference between a close call where the fire was squelched quickly and total inoperability of the fire extinguisher. We always want to aim for the solution that causes the least devastation. So these are eight fire extinguisher storage tips to keep in mind:

Do These:

1. Store your extinguisher in easily accessible areas

If there’s an emergency, you don’t want to have to dig around in a closet to try and find your extinguisher. Make sure your fire extinguisher storage is in an area you can access quickly and easily.

2. Store your extinguisher somewhere on the way out of your current location

This is especially true for commercial locations! You don’t want to have to go back in towards the emergency to find the extinguisher. Keep your fire extinguisher storage in a spot you can reach as you’re on your way out.

Don’t Do These:

1. Don’t store your extinguisher in a garage

Make sure your fire extinguisher is not in your garage. Garages in Georgia can get unbearably hot, which can damage your fire extinguisher and prevent it from working properly. If you must store your extinguisher in the garage, make sure it is locked and tucked away from hazardous tools, sharp objects, and moving vehicles for safety.

2. Don’t store your extinguisher under a sink or in a dusty corner

If it’s somewhere you never go, you won’t remember where it’s at! Try placing your fire extinguisher in an area you frequent often. The more you see it, the more you’ll remember where it is in case of an emergency.

3. Don’t store your extinguisher any more than 5 feet off the ground

Make sure your extinguisher is easily accessible to everyone in the house. You don’t want to find yourself in an emergency where the extinguisher is just out of reach!

4. Don’t store your extinguisher in a location that is subject to inclement weather

Fire extinguishers can be damaged by extreme heat or cold. Keep your extinguisher out of the harsh elements so you’ll know it’s in its best shape.

Great Locations For Fire Extinguisher Storage

Now that we’ve gone over the do’s and don’ts of fire extinguisher storage, we want to share some excellent locations for your new fire extinguisher! 

Great places to have an extinguisher include:

*Pro Tip: We highly recommend that all fire extinguishers in corporate locations be secured in proper fire extinguisher storage cases. 

Contact Our Experts for Fire Extinguisher Storage Solutions Near You! 

If you’re looking for a local, reliable company to ensure your fire extinguisher storage meets standards, be sure to call our team at Safe-T Fire Protection for leading fire protection services. We are more than happy to serve you at any corporate location of your choice. Give us a call today!