Fire Safety Learning Center

  Summer is the time for fun and food in the sun, and the perfect way to celebrate is by gathering around the grill to cook some of your favorite dishes. It is important to practice fire safety when grilling. Grilling seems like a very routine act once it is warm outside - you get your charcoal or propane, prep your fire and your food, and make a delicious meal. You don’t think about the little things that could potentially be dangerous when it comes to grilling. This checklist of tips will help you to quickly remember the little things that...

The concept of “fire safety” may invoke distant memories of learning “stop, drop, and roll” in grade school.  As an adult it is important to expand your fire safety knowledge so that you can be cautious of fire hazards, know how to prevent fires and know what to do in case of a fire. Along with implementing these strategies for your home, it is just as important to practice fire safety at the workplace.  Here are a few ways that you can do so: Know the fire escape plan Your workplace is likely required by law to have a fire escape...

It is not uncommon to see fire extinguishers in homes, businesses and public places. The (typically) red, cylindrical device is ubiquitous in our world, sometimes encased behind safety glass. But how much do we actually know about them? If faced with a fire, would you know how to correctly operate a fire extinguisher under duress? The reality is that there are many different types of fire extinguishers with different uses. Utilizing the wrong type of extinguisher in a fire situation can be deadly.  Water-based extinguishers are usually expelled in the form of foam or mist. They should only be used on...

These rules apply to ABC dry chemical extinguishers only. NFPA 10 defines the maintenance procedures required for portable fire extinguishers. All multi-purpose ABC extinguishers must have maintenance performed on an annual basis. After performing these steps, the technician will apply a new colored tag (Including his or her license information) to the extinguisher to clearly specify that maintenance has been performed. Every six years the fire extinguisher must be completely torn down (taken apart), recharged and rebuilt. During this process, key parts within the extinguisher are replaced. A special maintenance sticker is added to the extinguisher cylinder to record the date...

Unless your Association is both under three stories in height and has a total floor area of less than 3,000 square feet, your building must have portable fire extinguishers. (Very few condo buildings will have a total area of less than 3,000 square feet) For most condo buildings, determining the number and type of fire extinguishers required to protect the common areas is fairly simple. Typically, you will need one, multi-purpose (ABC) dry chemical fire extinguisher on each floor of the building. The extinguisher would normally be installed in the hallway where it can be easily accessed by residents. NFPA 10...