It is important for any residential or commercial building to have high-quality fire protection equipment installed. To keep the fire extinguishers secure, they should be enclosed in a secure, sturdy cabinet. These cabinets keep the fire extinguisher readily available to be used in case of emergencies. This blog gives an in-depth overview of extinguisher cabinets, including their many varieties, necessary parts, and maintenance tips.
What Is a Fire Extinguisher Cabinet?
Self-contained portable fire extinguisher cabinets are metal boxes that are mounted on the walls at strategic locations. They have a clear hinged front that is lockable and allows one to see the extinguisher within. The cabinets provide safety by protecting the extinguishers from physical damage, theft, and exposure to environmental conditions that could cause them to deteriorate. They also identify the position of extinguishers so that people may quickly access them if a fire breaks out.
Fire Extinguisher Cabinet Parts
Understanding the different Fire Extinguisher Cabinet Parts will help you select the best type for your needs and ensure proper maintenance.
Here are the main components:
- Cabinet Box
- Door
- Handle
- Mounting Hardware
- Signage
- Interior Liner
- Alarm
Types of Fire Extinguisher Cabinets
- Standard cabinets
- Break glass cabinets
- Plastic Cabinets
- Fiberglass Cabinets
- Metal Cabinets
- Fire Rated Cabinets
Tips for Maintaining Fire Extinguisher Cabinet Parts
While fire extinguisher cabinets are pretty straightforward, there are some key parts to maintain:
Latch/Lock: Make sure that the latch or lock of the extinguisher can move freely without stiff operations to handle the extinguisher easily. Replace if needed.
Glass (in-break glass models): It is best to replace the cracked glass right away. For the walls and doors, employ only tempered or wired safety glass.
Gasket: Make sure the gaskets on cabinet doors are not hard and brittle or have cracks in them. Replace any worn-out or damaged gaskets to prevent leaks, particularly those that have peeled or dried out on the surface.
Anodized aluminum nameplate: Make sure the lettering “Fire Extinguisher” is properly readable by giving it a frequent vacuum. If you are considering break glass style cabinets, it might be a good idea to add a “Break Glass” plaque.
Glass cabinet: If there is a glass partition, especially with the break-glass models, make sure the hammer is firmly fixed to the cabinet. Also, make sure that the right number of hammers are installed; any that are missing, broken, or loose should be replaced.
Vent holes: To prevent the extinguisher from getting clogged with dust or debris, the vent holes should ideally be cleaned regularly.
Following this simple fire extinguisher cabinet maintenance checklist makes it simple to have dependable, fast access in an emergency.
Where to Put the Fire Extinguisher Cabinet?
It appears that having a decent cabinet and placing it in the right spot is also important. When placing cabinets, adhere to these guidelines:
- The storage needs to be accessible and visible, particularly for cabinets.
- It is advisable to place the cabinets in an easily accessible place.
- Keep it outside of reach of fire dangers or flammable/explosive materials.
- The setting of the handle height should be within 40-50 inches from the ground to allow easy reach.
- If not set on a cabinet, those weighing less than forty pounds can be hung at the appropriate height on the wall. The only ones that do not require a cabinet for safety are those that weigh less than forty pounds.
- For large commercial buildings, always consult the various fire codes; these outline the distance that is important to reach a fire extinguisher.
Selecting The Best Fire Extinguisher Cabinet
Consider the following tips while choosing the best fire extinguisher cabinet:
Desired Type: Traditional model of a steel standard cabinet with simple doors and handles vs. the ‘break glass’ style of doors
Size: Dimensions concerning your portable fire extinguisher model(s)
Mounting: Flush-mounted, partially embedded, or completely embedded are some of the choices.
Extinguisher Compatibility: Make sure that the layout supports the fire extinguisher being installed in your home or office
Durability: Any powder coat paint or galvanized steel finished products are not impacted by wear and tear, providing extreme durability.
Code Compliance: Compliant with all legal applications for the fire cabinet.
Manufacturer Warranty: Minimum one-year warranty should be enclosed with the cabinet
As a result, when purchasing commercial cabinets, it is recommended that you buy from recognized manufacturers to ensure the highest quality and that the fire extinguisher cabinet does not require frequent maintenance.
Conclusion
Extinguisher cabinets are an essential component of fire protection infrastructure. Any building’s fire safety can be greatly increased by being aware of its components and making sure that they are properly chosen, installed, and maintained. The extinguisher cabinets protect people and property by keeping fire extinguishers from harm, avoiding abuse, and guaranteeing prompt access during emergencies. To keep your fire safety precautions up to date, select and install the ideal cabinet for your needs and maintain it frequently.