Fire Extinguisher Services

Fire Extinguishers | Emergency/Exit Lighting | Suppression Systems

SERVICE

FINDING THE “RIGHT” SERVICE COMPANY

What will the “right” service company do for you?

1. Help you understand what is required of you.
2. Help you determine what your needs are.
3. Provide the products and or services that are best for you, based on your specific needs.
4. Explain the pros and cons of each product and service, so you can decide what is best.
5. Provide the products and services you require on time in a manner simple to manage.
6. Provide convenient, easy to understand, billing that can be paid in full or monthly.

Visit Our Full Fire Extinguisher Website

LORD BALTIMORE is that company. We would rather our customers see us as reliable consultants and business partners than just another vendor trying to sell you all they can. We are easy to reach when you need questions answered or if you need information regarding your fire protection program. When it comes to fire protection, you need someone who truly has your best interests at heart.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

ROLE OF THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Fire extinguishers can represent an important segment of an overall fire protection program. However, their successful functioning depends upon the following conditions having been met:

1. The fire extinguisher is located properly and in working order
2. The fire extinguisher is of the correct type for a fire that can occur.
3. The fire is discovered while still small enough for the fire extinguisher to be effective.
4. The fire is discovered by a person ready, willing, and able to use the fire extinguisher.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR NEEDS

Every business needs to understand the three different hazard Occupancy ratings that dictate how big and how many fire extinguishers required: Light (low), Ordinary (moderate), Extra (high).

• Light (low): Hazard occupancies can include, offices, classrooms, churches, assembly halls, guest room areas of hotels/motels and so forth. This classification anticipates that the majority of content items are either noncombustible or so arranged that a fire is not likely to spread rapidly. Small amounts of class “B” flammables used for copying machines, art departments, and so forth, are included, provided that they are kept in closed containers and safely stored. Require minimum rating of 2-A with a maximum floor area of 3000 square feet per unit of “A” and maximum travel distance to extinguisher 75 feet. Requirements for “B” Class are 5-B at 30 feet between extinguishers and 10-B for 50 feet between extinguishers.
• Ordinary (moderate): Hazard occupancies could consist of dining areas, mercantile shops and allied storage, light manufacturing, research operations, auto showrooms, parking garages. Require minimum rating of 2-A with a maximum floor area of 1500 square feet per unit of “A” and maximum travel distance to extinguisher 75 feet. Requirements for “B” Class are 10-B at 30 feet between extinguishers and 20-B for 50 feet between extinguishers.
• Extra (high): Hazard occupancy could consist of woodworking; vehicle repair; aircraft and boat servicing; cooking areas; individual product display showrooms; product convention center displays; and storage and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping, and coating, including flammable liquid handling. Require minimum rating of 4-A with a maximum floor area of 1000 square feet per unit of “A” and maximum travel distance to extinguisher 75 feet. Requirements for “B” Class are 40-B at 30 feet between extinguishers and 80-B for 50 feet between extinguishers.

OVERVIEW

Most buildings have class “A” fire hazards. In any occupancy, there could be predominant hazards well as special hazard areas requiring supplemental protection. For example a hospital will generally have need for Class “A” fire extinguishers covering patients’ rooms, corridors, offices, and so forth, but will need Class “B” fire extinguishers in laboratories and where flammable items are stored or handled. Class “C” fire extinguishers in electrical switch gear or generator rooms, and Class “K” extinguishers in the kitchens.

Footnote: Information herein has been obtained from the NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers 2007 Edition (National Fire Protection Association).

Lord Baltimore Fire Extinguisher is a member in good standing of both the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) as well as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

TYPES OF FIRE BY CLASSIFICATION

Letters designating the fire source classifies the Fire Extinguishers:

• A-class fires are ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.Maximum travel distance to extinguisher is 75 feet.
• B-class fires are flammable liquids, combustible liquids, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, lacquers, alcohols, and flammable gases. Maximum travel distance to extinguisher is 30 feet for lower rated units to 50 feet for larger extinguishers.
• C-class fires involve energized electrical equipment. Maximum travel distance to extinguisher is 75 feet.
• D-class fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium. Maximum travel distance to extinguisher is 75 feet.
• K-class fires involve combustible cooking oils and fats. Maximum travel distance to extinguisher is 30 feet.

TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER BY CLASSIFICATION

• A-type stored water pressure holds 2 ½ gallons of water discharge time of approximately 50 to 60 seconds. Maximum range 30 to 40 feet. Buyer alert subject to freezing if not treated with anti-freeze solution. Not rated for flammable liquids or electrical fires Positives no chemical residue to clean up after use. Longest range and duration of use. Maintenance Requires Hydrostatic testing every 5 years.
• ABC-type multipurpose dry chemical (ammonium phosphate) Discharge time 8 to 25 seconds depending on the size of extinguisher. Maximum range 5 to 20 feet. Buyer alert the dry chemical power used is corrosive not to be used around chlorine and is messy. Positives lower cost and highly effective. Maintenance Requires internal exam every 6 years and Hydrostatic testing every 5 years.
• BC-type carbon dioxide Discharge time approximately 8 to 30 seconds depending on the size of extinguisher. Maximum range 3 to 8 feet. Discharges as a white cloud of “snow” which smothers the fire by eliminating oxygen. Buyer alert not to be used in an unventilated or small space. Positives no chemical residue to clean up after use. Maintenance Requires Hydrostatic testing every 5 years.
• BC-type dry chemical (sodium bicarbonate) Discharge time approximately 8 to 25 seconds depending on the size of extinguisher. Maximum range 5 to 20 feet. Buyer alert the dry chemical power used is corrosive and is messy. Positives lower cost and highly effective. Maintenance Requires internal exam every 6 years and Hydrostatic testing every 12 years.
• BC-type Purple K dry chemical (potassium bicarbonate) Discharge time approximately 8 to 25 seconds depending on the size of extinguisher. Maximum range 5 to 20 feet. Buyer alert the dry chemical power used is corrosive and is messy. Positives particularly effective on class B flammable liquids and pressurized gases and it is electrically non-conductive. Maintenance Requires internal exam every 6 years and Hydrostatic testing every 12 years.
• BC-type halogenated agent. Ideal for use around computers or electronics. Discharge time 8 to 14 seconds depending on the size of extinguisher. Maximum range 3 to 18 feet. Discharges a gas/mist. Buyer alert not to be used in an unventilated or small space or around chlorine and is expensive. Positives no chemical residue to clean up after use. Maintenance Requires internal exam every 6 years and Hydrostatic testing every 12 years.
• D-type dry powder (sodium chloride particles) For fighting metal fires. Discharge time approximately 8 to 25 seconds, maximum range 3 to 6 feet. Maintenance Requires internal exam every 6 years and Hydrostatic testing every 12 years.
• K-type wet chemical (water and potassium carbonate) For fighting kitchen fires. Discharge time 30 to 85 seconds depending on the size of extinguisher. Maximum range 8 to 12 feet. Forms a foam blanket to prevent reigniting of the fire. Maintenance Requires Hydrostatic testing every 5 years.

Required Fire Extinguisher Service:

Annual Maintenance All fire extinguishers require an annual examination of the fire extinguisher. It is intended to give maximum assurance that a fire extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination for physical damage or condition to prevent its operation and any necessary repair or replacement. It will normally reveal if hydrostatic testing or internal maintenance is required.

Six-Year maintenance Every 6 years, stored-pressure fire extinguishers that require a 12-year Hydrostatic test shall be emptied and subject to the applicable maintenance procedures as detailed in the manufacturer’s service manual.

Hydrostatic Testing Pressure testing of the extinguisher to verify its strength against unwanted rupture.

EXIT LIGHTS/EMERGENCY LIGHTS

ROLE OF EMERGENCY AND EXIT LIGHTING

Part of your fire safety plan should be that customers and employees can see where they are going and know where to go to get out of the building. In a fire often power is lost which means no lights! Add smoke to the darkness and it is easy to lose your way and your bearings. When trying to escape from a fire every second counts. Precious time can be lost if you lose your bearings. Emergency lights can get you out of the complete darkness and so you can regain your bearings. Exit lights provide a guide out of the building to safety.

• We can schedule regular service calls for your lighting, so you don’t forget.
• We will test your lights and exit signs to see if they are working.
• We will replace bulbs, batteries or fixtures as needed.
• We can install new lighting.

To help ensure that you are well prepared in case of such an emergency, we provide Emergency/Exit Lighting products, as well as testing, repair and maintenance to keep them in good working order. Call 1-800-292-1224 for service.

FIRE SUPPRESSION

Role of Suppression Systems

Commercial kitchens and paint booth operators, due to the nature of their businesses are exposed to the hazard of sudden flash fires. Because such fires can engulf an entire room or building in a matter of seconds, fire suppression systems are required under the NFPA code 17A in these environments and service and maintenance are of the utmost importance.

• We can schedule your system for regular service calls, so you don’t forget.
• We will test your system to ensure proper operation.
• We will replace fusible links as required by the manufacturers specifications.
• We can train your people how to properly operate the system.
• We can install new suppression systems.

Our people are trained professionals, with years of experience in the industry and will provide you the peace of mind regarding your system that only a professional can. Call 1-800-292-1224 for service.

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