Month: April 2014
USCG Warns of Counterfeit Portable Fire Extinguishers
Boating season is upon us! It seems like we have waited so long for winter to come to an end. This is a reminder to be vigilant when purchasing fire safety products that protect your vessel(s). There have been a number of confirmed counterfeit portable fire extinguishers discovered in use that bear brand names like Amerex and Buckeye. This warning from the United States Coast Guard bears repeating for water enthusiasts everywhere. As an industry-leading distributor of high quality fire protection products, Reliable Fire Equipment wants to advise its customers of the significant safety hazard associated with the use of these counterfeit extinguishers.
Their capability to extinguish a fire is unproven: they may be charged with a powdery substance that is not a fire extinguishing agent, the pressure cylinder is not DOT approved, and the pressure gauge may not function or give false readings. This poses a significant hazard in the event of a fire.
The attached press release provides in-depth information on what you can look for to determine whether a portable fire extinguisher is counterfeit. “At this time, the Coast Guard believes that the counterfeit production is not limited to Amerex Corporation and Buckeye Fire Equipment. There was also mention of a possible case involving Badger portable fire extinguishers.”
Vessel owners/operators are encouraged to inspect their equipment. If you suspect that you have identified a counterfeit extinguisher, please contact the Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards. Additional information is included in the release.
Reliable Fire Equipment Company Hosts Life Safety & Security Seminar
Reliable Fire Equipment Company invites you to join us on Tuesday, May 13th, 2014 for our Annual Life Safety & Security Seminar set to take place at The Carlisle in Lombard, IL. We have invited industry experts to present information and updates on several important Life Safety and Security topics.
We are excited to welcome Mr. Chuck Wilson, Executive Director of the National Systems Contractors Association to provide the Keynote Address about the benefits of Systems Integration. This presentation will incorporate information about the value that businesses can recognize through integration of their life safety and security systems.
Schedule of Events
Morning Session 8:30 to Noon
- Mass Notification
- Video Surveillance
- Life Safety Insurance Audit
- Key Note: Chuck Wilson – Executive Director – National Systems Contractors Association
Lunch – Noon
Afternoon Session 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
- OSHA – New Compliance Expectations
- Customer Appreciation Prizes
Study Finds that People Use Fire Extinguishers Effectively
In a recent study at Eastern Kentucky University, it was determined that an ordinary person, one who has not had any fire training background, can use a portable fire extinguisher with great effectiveness. However, the results improved further when the participants in the study were given some proper training regarding the proper technique.
The proper technique for the use of a portable fire extinguisher is:
Pull the pin from the fire extinguisher
Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire
Squeeze the top handle or lever
Sweep from side to side until the fire is completely out
This study demonstrates how a person with proper training on the use of a fire extinguisher can be effective at extinguishing a fire in its incipient stages. Download a copy of this study here.