While there is a very low risk of a fire in most homes and businesses throughout the state, ensuring you have a working fire extinguisher in Illinois residences, buildings, and commercial properties are critical.
In most commercial properties, there will be specific regulations around having the correct number of fire extinguishers in a building, and also the type of fire extinguisher in Illinois that is required. For many commercial properties, these fire extinguishers will also be paired with extensive fire suppression systems such as overhead sprinklers and even chemical fire suppression options in some types of commercial properties.
Homes, garages, outbuildings and non-commercial properties are not required to have a fire extinguisher in Illinois, but they are highly recommended. Having the right type of extinguisher, especially one for multiple types of fires, can prevent damage to the home and save lives.
Check Monthly
There are a lot of things to do around the home and the property on a regular basis, and checking your fire extinguisher in Illinois is one very simple task. By checking on a monthly basis, you always know that the extinguisher is ready to use when you need it.
When checking your fire extinguisher in Illinois make sure it is easy to grab and remove from its storage area. It is not helpful if you have to dig through items in a closet or find a chair to get it down from a top shelf. It should be very easy to see and to access, and some simple rearranging is usually all that is needed to create this space. It should also be rust and corrosion free, which is an important consideration if stored in a basement or building outside of the home.
Always check the tamper seal and make sure it has not been broken. Sometimes kids or pets may play with the extinguisher or the handle, just make sure nothing appears damaged. Check the pin in the handle to make sure it is fully inserted and also make sure the pressure gauge on the fire extinguisher in Illinois is reading the correct pressure.
Yearly Professional Inspections
Every fire extinguisher in Illinois should be checked by a professional. There should be a tag on the top of the unit that indicates the last professional inspection including who did the inspection and the date.
By completing monthly checks and one professional annual inspection of your fire extinguisher in Illinois, you have the peace of mind to know it is ready to use. This is just a few minutes of time, but it may save your family and your home.
