Written by Christiana Nwaogu
Fire extinguishers in commercial or public buildings should be visually inspected monthly for damage or pressure loss and should be serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions to effectively combat fire incidences, a fire safety consultancy firm has advised.
The firm, AssetBow Limited, a private fire safety consultancy organization, also advised citizens celebrating yuletide to be conscious of harmattan and ensure that water, foam and powder extinguishers are discharged and refilled every five years. “CO2 extinguishers must be refurbished after ten years,” he added.
The Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Virgil Akama, gave the counsel while addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja. He said that the advice was pertinent considering the fire emergencies that usually emerge during harmattan season.
Stressing that it was imperative to have fire extinguishers and hydrants fixed at strategic and easy to reach locations in homes, work spaces and every other area with human and economic activities, Akama added that it was also important to ensure that the right fire extinguishers for the different types of fires are purchased. He stated that the features accompanied with harmattan makes combustible materials more susceptible to ignition, hence, the need to enforce preventive measures rather than reactive actions.
He said, “In most markets you would find poorly wired and maintained electrical systems which increases the risk of electrical fires asides from light surge and fluctuations. Also in homes, unattended open flames, such as from cooking or burning wastes and unsafe handling practices can lead to accidental fires.”
“To prevent fires during the harmattan season, routine checks should be conducted on electrical systems and appliances to identify and address potential threats,” Akama said. He urged the Federal Government to consistently promote awareness campaigns on fire prevention, safety within communities, develop and regularly practice emergency evacuation plans to ensure swift and organized responses to fire outbreaks.
Akama said that there was also need to ensure Nigerians enforce and adhere to building codes that emphasized the use of fire-resistant materials and safety measures during construction of buildings. “Combining these measures can help mitigate the risk of fires during the harmattan season and enhance overall safety in markets and buildings in Nigeria.
“In general, the manufacturer’s instructions will tell you what you need to do to keep your extinguisher in good working order. After an extinguisher has been used, even if only partially, it must be recharged according to the manufacturer’s instructions,” he said.