What companies can I use to service my portable
fire extinguishers?
Answer: You should only use companies that have been
issued a certificate by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). This
certificate is called a “portable fire extinguisher servicing company”
certificate. (Note: All companies servicing fire extinguishers in NYC
must be certified by the FDNY). You may wish to shop around by calling
different companies. You can view
the list of certified companies.
Back to Top
How would I know if an individual person is authorized
to service my portable fire extinguishers?
Answer: To be authorized, the individual must be certified
by the FDNY – he/she will have been issued a Certificate of Fitness
for portable fire extinguisher servicing. Upon your request, the individual
should be able to show you the plastic photo ID card that the FDNY issued
him/her as proof of being certified. The photo ID card provides much information.
Under “CAT.” (category) it says “W62”;
under “DESCRIPTION” it says “CITIWIDE SERV PORT FIRE
EXTING”.
Back to Top
Does the Fire Department (FDNY) regulate the
companies or individuals that sell new portable fire extinguishers?
Answer: No. The FDNY does not regulate individuals or
companies selling new portable fire extinguishers.
Back to Top
Where can I purchase new portable fire extinguishers?
Answer: You can purchase them at a wide variety of retail
stores, including most hardware stores. Another option would be to purchase
them from a company engaged in the business of servicing portable fire
extinguishers. These servicing companies are certified by the FDNY. (Note:
All companies servicing fire extinguishers in NYC must be certified by
the FDNY). You may wish to shop around by calling different companies.
You can view
the list of certified companies.
Back to Top
How do I know what type and how many portable
fire extinguishers my building must have?
Answer: The rule that covers this is Section
15-02 of Title 3 of the Rules of the City of New York (3RCNY §15-02),
entitled “Portable Fire Extinguishers” and NFPA 10. This
rule also covers the requirements for the inspection, maintenance, recharging
and hydrostatic testing of portable fire extinguishers. If you wish to
view
a complete copy of rule 3RCNY §15-02.
A copy of NFPA 10 can be purchased from the
National Fire Protection Association – telephone # (800) 344-3555.
1st example: A retail store needs one portable fire extinguisher (of minimum
2-A rating) for every 2,500 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof
(for each floor).
2nd example: A restaurant kitchen needs one portable fire extinguisher
suitable for a Class K fire, with a maximum travel distance of thirty
(30) feet. (This is in addition to any fixed fire extinguishing system(s)
required to protect individual cooking appliances in the kitchen). The
public assembly space in the restaurant needs one portable fire extinguisher
(of minimum 2-A rating) for every 2,500 square feet of floor area or fraction
thereof (for each floor).
Back to Top
My business was visited by a representative
from a portable fire extinguisher servicing company. He did not have an
appointment and just showed up. He said that the FDNY had sent him. He
used high-pressure tactics to try and persuade me to buy more portable
fire extinguishers for my store than the law requires. How can I file
a complaint?
Answer: If the representative was from a servicing company
that is certified by the FDNY, you can file a complaint with the FDNY
by calling (718) 999-2533 during business hours, or Click
here to view the complaint form.
If the representative was from a servicing company that is not certified
by the FDNY, you can contact the
NYC Department of Consumer Affairs by calling (212) 487-4444 for your
rights.
Note: Be aware that the FDNY does not send private companies (such as
portable fire extinguisher servicing companies) to conduct official FDNY
inspections.
Back to Top
My business was visited by a representative from
a portable fire extinguisher servicing company. He was wearing a cap and
a T-shirt that both had the FDNY logo on them. Is he allowed to dress
like that while conducting business for a private company? Doesn’t
that give off the wrong impression?
Answer: A representative of a private company engaged
in the servicing of fire safety equipment (such as a portable fire extinguisher
servicing company) is prohibited from wearing FDNY clothing and logos.
Back to Top
What should I look for when purchasing new portable
fire extinguishers?
Answer: You should keep the following in mind:
- All fire extinguishers should be "listed" and "labeled"
by an independent testing laboratory such as FM (Factory Mutual) or
UL (Underwriters Laboratories). The identification mark of the listing
and labeling company should be on each fire extinguisher.
- The selection of portable fire extinguishers should be based on the
character of the fires anticipated. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher
on the fire could be dangerous and make matters worse. In addition,
the fire extinguisher being selected should be of sufficient capacity
and quantity to meet the code/rule requirements. Make sure you can handle
and operate the fire extinguisher you are purchasing.
- Remember that fire extinguishers need care and must be recharged
after every use. Ask how it should be serviced and inspected.
-
 All
new extinguishers must be fully charged and in an operable condition.
For a stored-pressure type such as dry chemical fire extinguisher, this
may be confirmed by checking that the pressure gauge is in the operable
range (commonly known as green zone).
For a non-stored-pressure type such as carbon dioxide, this can be done
by weighing.
Back to Top
Are all portable fire extinguishers the same?
Answer: Definitely not. The type of portable fire extinguisher
that you will use depends on what it is that is burning. Portable fire
extinguishers are listed and labeled according to the type of fire (class
of fire) they are intended for. Letters, "A",
" B", "C", "D" and "K" are
used. There is a rating number preceding letters " A" and "B".
The rating number indicates the relative extinguishing effectiveness.
The higher the rating number, the higher the capacity (more extinguishing
agent). There is no rating number preceding letters "C", "D"
and "K". Some fire extinguishers have more than one letter classification,
such as 2-A:20-B:C. This classification means that this portable fire
extinguisher:
- could extinguish approximately twice as much Class A fires as a 1-A
rated fire extinguisher.
- could extinguish approximately 20 times as much Class B fires as
a 1-B rated fire extinguisher.
- is suitable for use on Class C fires (energized electrical equipment).
Back to Top
I have a number of portable fire extinguishers
in my building. Can I inspect them myself?
Answer: Yes and no. You can perform the monthly “quick-check”
inspections yourself, but a portable fire extinguisher servicing company
(certified by the FDNY) must come in at least once a year and perform
any maintenance, recharging, and/or testing that is required by 3RCNY
§15-02 and NFPA 10.
Back to Top
What is a "quick check" inspection
of a portable fire extinguisher?
Answer: It is intended to give reasonable assurance that
the fire extinguisher is fully charged and operable. This quick check
is done by verifying that the portable fire extinguisher is in its designated
place, that it has not been used or tampered with, and that there is no
visible physical damage or condition to prevent its operation.
Back to Top
What does “maintenance” of portable
fire extinguishers involve?
Answer: Maintenance is a thorough examination of the
fire extinguisher. It is intended to give maximum assurance that a portable
fire extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a detailed
examination, including any necessary repair or replacement. Maintenance
will normally reveal if hydrostatic testing or internal maintenance is
required. Maintenance and recharging are considered "servicing".
Recharging is the replacement of the extinguishing agent. It may also
include the replacement of the pressurizing gas (expellant gas) for certain
types of fire extinguishers. A FDNY Certificate of Fitness is required
to service (maintain and/or recharge) a portable fire extinguisher.
Back to Top
|
