Section 12 Fire Department
Policy 12-3 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
DATE: April 2, 1984
DISTRIBUTION: All Departments
SUBJECT: PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE
PURPOSE: To insure all fire extinguishers are maintained in an operable
condition and
personnel are trained to effectively operate available extinguishers in case of fire. Policy does
not apply to installed fire suppression or alarm systems.
BACKGROUND: Monthly and annual inspections in the past have not been performed
on the
majority of extinguishers in City facilities. As a result, the extinguishers could not be relied
to
function in an emergency situation. In some cases non-standard or non-rechargeable
extinguishers have been procured, making service by the fire Department difficult or impossible.
Training of personnel in the operation and maintenance of extinguishers has been a piecemeal
effort with dubious results.
RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Lawton Fire Department
a. Will approve the type and design of portable fire extinguishers
to be purchased for City
use.
b. Will perform annual inspection on all City-owned portable extinguishers.
c. Will service, repair and recharge portable extinguishers as necessary.
d. Will assist in training fire extinguisher monitors.
2. Department Directors
a. Will designate by name personnel within the department as fire extinguisher
monitors.
b. Will purchase portable extinguishers only through Purchasing Division.
3. Fire Extinguisher Monitors.
a. Will insure that a Recharge and Inspection Record Tag is attached to each
extinguisher for
which he/she is responsible.
b. Will inspect extinguishers no less than monthly and annotate monthly inspections
on
extinguisher tags.
c. Will turn in portable extinguishers to the Lawton Fire Department (Central
Station) for
annual inspection and for servicing or recharge as required.
Administrative Policy 12-3
Page 2
d. Will train appropriate operating personnel in the proper use and operation
of fire
extinguishers available in their are of operation.
PROCEDURES: 1. Purchasing - All requisitions for
portable fire extinguishers are to be
processed through the Purchasing Division of the Finance Department. Requisitions are to be
consolidated as much as possible to take advantage of quantity discounts. The type and design
of
extinguishers to be purchased must be approved by the Fire Department prior to commitment to
buy.
2. Internal Inspections.
a. Operating personnel should inspect extinguishers in their area of operation
for condition and
charge. These inspection are not recorded but any discrepancies noted will be reported to the
responsible supervisor or Fire Extinguisher Monitor.
b. Fire Extinguisher Monitors will inspect extinguishers monthly for condition,
seal and
charge. Any portable extinguisher requiring repair, charge or other service will be delivered
to
the Central Station of the Lawton Fire Department. Also the Monitor will insure that portable
extinguishers are delivered to the Fire Department whenever annual inspections are due. Monthly
and annual inspection dates and all service dates will be recorded on the tags attached to the
extinguishers and initialed by the person making the inspection or servicing the extinguisher.
c. No more than half of the available extinguishers in a particular division
or area will be
turned in to the Fire Department at any one time.
3. Fire Department
a. The Fire Department will perform annual inspection, charge, fill and maintenance
as
appropriate on extinguishers turned in to it by any City department. They will record date of this
service and initial tag on extinguisher.
b. Fire Extinguisher Monitors must insure that extinguishers are properly identified
and logged
at the Fire Department to prevent mis-locating them after servicing.
c. The Fire Department will insure that hydrostatic tests are performed as due
for the type
extinguisher at time of annual inspection.
Administrative Policy 12-3
Page 3
4. Training
a. Each Department Head will provide as requested a list of designated Fire Extinguisher
Monitors to the Safety Officer.
b. Safety Officer will arrange for annual fire extinguisher training to be administered
to all Fire
Extinguisher Monitors and alternates. This training will utilize Fire Department resources.
c. Fire Extinguisher Monitors will in turn train an adequate number of operating
personnel in
the proper procedures for operating the type extinguishers available in their area(s) of operation.
RESCISSION: This policy becomes effective April 2, 1984, and will remain
in effect until
rescinded.
ROBERT E. METZINGER
CITY MANAGER