How to use a fire hydrant

The equipped fire hydrant System is a complete fire protection equipment that is fixedly mounted on the wall. It is connected to the water supply network. It also includes in a cabinet all the elements necessary for its use: hose, reel, valve and nozzle launcher.

The BIE is an effective and inexhaustible system in fire protection that can be used directly by the occupants of a building in the initial phase of a fire.

The step by step to use is:

1. Open the door.
2. Open the water stopcock (valve).
3. Unroll the hose.
4. Hold the nozzle lance and direct the jet towards the base of the fire.

It must be installed within 5 meters of the exits of each fire sector. Less than 50m from the next closest BIE, protecting the entire sector. The center of the BIE, at most, 1.5m above ground level. The pipe network must provide, for one hour, a minimum dynamic pressure of 2 bar in the lance.

And the maintenance will be done every 3 months, the signage and free access will be checked. Cleaning of the elements, and lubrication of closures and hinges. Every year, the components have to be checked, the hose tested, the tightness of the assembly and the pressure gauge checked. And every 5 years, you have to perform a hydrostatic test of the hose at 15kg / cm2.

Basic rules to avoid fires

Most fires are caused by accident or carelessness at home. And most of them are avoidable if basic rules are followed, and if, in the workplace and in the home, special attention is paid to any alert that may mean the start of a fire.

• Don't play with lighters, candles, or matches. Fire is not a joke and can be started very easily.
• While you're cooking, don't leave the kitchen.
• Don't overload the plugs.
• Do not cover lamps, light bulbs, heaters, or radiators with blankets or clothes to dry.
• Make sure the cigarette butts are well extinguished before throwing them away.
• If you have a fireplace, you must monitor its use and prevent ashes from escaping out of it.
• You never have to make fires in the field, especially in summer when everything is drier and can be expanded easily.
• In the event of detecting a gas leak, turn off all lights and do not turn on any electrical appliances. Cut the supply and notify the technician to solve it.

Therefore, it is essential to have a fire extinguisher at home. Thus, in the event that a fire does start, it is possible to act quickly and effectively avoiding further damage.

In the same way, that a fire detection equipment is essential. They are placed in the rooms that may have more risk such as kitchen or living room. With them we make sure that we are protected against any minimum danger that may exist.

The importance of an emergency plan

The creation of an emergency plan for the prevention of fires at work is of vital importance and its compliance is mandatory.

The safety of all workers is a priority, but not only against fires, but also against other emergencies.

Not only is it important to have all the necessary PCI materials in place, everyone's involvement is also important. Workers are the ones who know their workplace best, therefore, when making an emergency plan it is essential to have them.

Regarding the plan, it must meet the following five characteristics:

• Basic.
• Flexible.
• Known.
• Exercised.
• Dynamic.

At GCTL we have professionals who can design an emergency plan for your company, making an evacuation much safer if needed. As well as, all the necessary materials to make it easier, such as signage.

Expiration of extinguishers

The expiration date is always associated with food products, but fire extinguishers also expire. In fact, it is a very important thing to keep in mind.

When components lose their functions, it is considered expired. It is normal for them to wear out over time and lose effectiveness. Therefore, when the date arrives, the extinguisher must be replaced by another.

This expiration date is determined by different aspects, and in general, the useful life of a normal extinguisher is 20 years, although this does not mean that it does not lose capacity during that time. Therefore, a fire extinguisher must be retimbered every 5 years to verify its effectiveness.

At GCTL we have a maintenance service for our fire extinguishers to ensure that they will be completely safe.

We have all the necessary certifications to guarantee the best work and your safety.

Feature Photo by Athena from Pexels

Mujib Khan