This guest blog post was submitted by Timothy Stamp, owner and operator of Fire Defense, LLC.
Let’s first define the term “assets.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines an asset as: a valuable person or thing, something that is owned by a person, company, etc. For this article, we will define an asset as: students and employees, the school building, buses, chemistry labs, gymnasiums, etc.
We never expect a fire to happen, but if it does, are you prepared? Do you have the correct extinguisher in place to protect yourself and your assets from this hazard and avoid additional collateral damage? Are you trained on how to use a fire extinguisher as required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Executive Office of Public Safety Department of Fire Services require that schools be equipped with portable fire extinguishers which are installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA -10 (National Fire Protection Association, Section 10).
Did You Know – NFPA -10 sub-section 4.3.1 states that the owner or the owner’s agent shall be provided with a fire extinguisher instruction manual? Do you have your manual?
Did You Know – NFPA – 10 sub-section 5.1.2 states that the selection of extinguishers shall be independent of whether the building is equipped with automatic sprinklers, standpipes and hoses, or other fixed protective equipment?
Did You Know – NFPA 10 sub-section 6.1.3.1 states that fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located where they are readily accessible and immediately available in the event of a fire? Do you know where the fire extinguishers are located in your facility?
Did You Know – NFPA 10 sub-section 7.2.1.2.1 states that fire extinguishers and class D extinguishing agents shall be inspected at least once per calendar month? Are the fire extinguishers in your facility being inspected on a monthly basis?
If you answered “NO” to any of these questions, you’re probably not prepared.
Fire extinguishers are the first line of defense. Let’s make sure we are prepared to protect our most cherished assets.
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