SAQCC Fire Talk - May 2009 edition

[Download the print version]

Annual General Meeting

This took place on Thursday 18 June 2009.

Please click here to dowload the minutes of the meeting.

Please click here to read the Chairman's Report.

Two technicians caught servicing illegal extinguishers

Two technicians recently received written warnings from the SAQCC at disciplinary hearings, regarding the servicing of illegal extinguishers.

We've issued warnings before that companies were supplying illegal extinguishers in South Africa that did not adhere to legal requirements. Such units typically display the SABS mark, but in truth the units were never submitted for approval by the SABS or the unit is still in the process of testing and a final approval permit has not been issued to the manufacturer.

Portable fire extinguishers installed in premises that have to comply with the Act on Building regulations, have to comply with SANS 10400-T and have to be approved in accordance with SANS 1910. Currently the SABS is the authority issuing the permits for SANS 1910. The current permit holders for SANS 1910 are displayed on the SABS’ website.

The SAQCC urges technicians to check on this website which manufacturers have been issued with a 1910 permit and thus which makes of extinguishers legally carry the SABS approval mark. The SAQCC can also be contacted to assist in this matter. Only extinguishers carrying a legal SABS approval mark can be signed off by a technician once the units fulfil all the other requirements of SANS 1475 Part 1.

As is illustrated by the disciplinary steps taken against technicians servicing illegal extinguishers, the onus rests with the technician servicing and signing off the service label of a unit to ensure that is approved.

Evidence has also been forwarded to the SABS regarding such illegal units and the SAQCC is following up what progress has been made by the SABS regarding legal action against such manufacturers.

The representative of the SA Emergency Services at the SAQCC, Mr Marius Atterbury, confirmed at the April SAQCC meeting that he would forward a circular to all Chief fire officers regarding which extinguishers were currently illegal so that they could assist in counteracting this problem.

Technician training and re-assessment driven by SAQCC

The SAQCC called a meeting at the end of April for all the relevant role players to drive the four yearly re-assessment of registered technicians as well as the furthering of uniformity in training and assessments by training centres.

The chairman of the SAQCC training committee, Mr Tom Dreyer, updated the meeting about the requirement of the Department of Labour that all registered competent persons have to be re-assessed every four years. A pass rate of 70-75% would be required. Failure would result in technicians not being able to register for the next period.

It is proposed that such technicians do a re-assessment at a training institute. If failing, such a technician’s card will be withdrawn and he would have to do a full course again.

Confirmation was given at the meeting that the SETA gave provisional approval of units standards submitted for the technician training by the SAQCC and the FPA. The meeting accepted a proposal that all training institutions would adopt and use these standards so as to promote uniformity.

The importance of a certain level of numerical and literacy skill was also minuted at the April SAQCC meeting for trainee technicians to pass assessments. This would include registered technicians who would have to do the re-assessments and who were registered initially under the grandfather clause.

Release nitrogen pressure from an extinguisher safely

The nitrogen charge in stored pressure extinguishers has killed and injured more technicians than any other aspect of fire extinguisher maintenance procedures!

Follow one of the following safe methods to release nitrogen pressure from an extinguisher:

An important safety rule before releasing pressure
Do not believe the pressure reading on the extinguisher gauge. Faulty gauges are a common occurrence. Always asume that the pressure is present, even when the unit feels empty.

Method 1: Releasing the Pressure Through the Threads of the Head Valve Assembly
This is the least recommended method to release the N2 pressure as human error can seriously interfere with the process. However, the powder remains intact inside the unit for re- use, if required.

The head valve assembly of a stored pressure fire extinguisher is designed with flutes in the thread. When the head assembly is unscrewed from the extinguisher the N2 pressure will start to discharge once the fluting in the thread becomes exposed.

Ensure that the extinguisher is secured in a vice before carrying out this operation. The valve assembly on the extinguisher must only be turned out two revolutions from being in a hand tight position. Do not be tempted to turn the valve out further than two revolutions to try and speed up the pressure release.

Once the pressure is venting the unit can be moved to allow venting to take place. Ensure that venting units are left in a safe area in the workshop, away from other workshop activities. Do not carry the unit by the head valve assembly handle when venting pressure is taking place.

Method No. 2 Releasing the pressure by inverting (turning upside down) the Extinguisher
This is the safest and quickest method to vent the N2 pressure from an extinguisher. Dry powder will be lost in the venting, so a recharge will be required.

This method can be done safely by holding the extinguisher. It can only be carried out in a Dry Powder Room as the powder in the units siphon tube will be initially discharged with the N2 pressure.

Invert the extinguisher and with the discharge hose still in place, slowly release the unit’s pressure by squeezing the head valve handles. An empty bin can be useful to capture any powder discharged. When removing the unit’s valve assembly, beware of any pressure remaining in the extinguisher, so ensure the extinguisher is secured in a vice.

Method No. 3 Releasing the pressure by using a diffuser felt bag
The diffuser, felt bag allows the pressure to escape through the porous felt material whilst capturing the powder in the bag.

The extinguisher can be held in the normal discharge manner with the extinguisher base on the ground and, with the discharge hose inserted into the felt bag, slowly squeeze the stp valve handles to allow total discharge to occur.

Again, when removing the head valve assembly beware of any pressure remaining in the cylinder by ensuring that the extinguisher is secured in a vice.

Whatever method you use, make safety your number one priority and do not leave inexperienced or unqualified persons to determine the method of depressurization. That decision must remain your responsibility, as is the supervision of the complete work process.

Submitted by James Nunnerly

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For further information, contact SAQCC-Fire on tel. 011 455-3157.