Postal Responsibility/Contractor responsibility

1
SAFETY COMPENDIUM FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
PS Form 4705 Completion Requirements

• Postal Responsibility/Contractor responsibility
• Serial number of fire extinguisher
• Number found on fire extinguisher and panel
• Date extinguisher was installed at this location
• Completed by contractor conducting annual
  inspection
• Completed by contractor when extinguisher is
  recharged
• Completed by contractor when hydrostatic test is
  conducted
• Completed by postal employee assigned to monthly
  PM route
• Retention 5 years
• Source MS-56, 444

2
SAFETY COMPENDIUM FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Monthly Portable Fire Extinguisher Check

• Postal Responsibility
• The following elements constitute the monthly
  fire extinguisher check (monthly check to include
  fire extinguishers in vehicles)
• Verify the fire extinguisher is not blocked by
  equipment or other objects that could interfere
  with access in an emergency.
• Inspect the shell for corrosion, mechanical
  damage (denting or abrasion), paint condition,
  presence of repairs (welding, soldering, brazing,
  etc.), and broken hanger attachment concealing
  surface damage (nicks or corrosion).
• Inspect the nameplate for illegible wording,
  corrosion, and loose plate. Verify extinguisher
  has pictographic type label.
• Inspect the nozzle for damage, deformation,
  cracks, blocked openings, damaged threads
  (corroded, cross-threaded, or worn), and aging
  (brittleness).
• Inspect hose assembly for damaged hose (cut,
  cracked, worn, or plugged), damaged couplings or
  swivel joint (cracked or corroded), damaged
  threads (corroded, cross threaded or worn), and
  inner tube cut at couplings.
• Ensure the valve-locking device is in place and
  inspect for damage (bent, corroded, or binding).
• Check extinguisher pressure gauge, tap gauge
  lightly to determine if pointer is stuck or
  jammed. Inspect for missing pointer missing,
  deformed, or broken crystal illegible or faded
  dial corrosion, dented case, and damaged crystal
  retainer. Read gauge. If not in operating range,
  remove, replace, and submit extinguisher for
  recharging or hydrostatic test.
• Ensure that seal or tamper indicator is not
  missing or broken. Replace extinguisher if seal
  or tamper indicator is missing or broken.
• Complete the applicable portions of Form 4705,
  Fire Inspection Tag.
• Inspection Record Retention 5 years

3
SAFETY COMPENDIUM FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Fire Extinguisher Mounting

• Extinguishers must be available when needed and
  employees must not be subjected to injury when
  obtaining an extinguisher.
• The locations of extinguishers must be
  immediately visible from several different
  directions.
• Access to extinguishers must be maintained at all
  times.
• Floor areas below the extinguisher and their
  approaches must be kept free of materials, and
  red lines must be applied to the floor.
• Location numbers must be applied to all
  extinguishers and the red background where the
  extinguisher is mounted to ensure accurate
  service and adequate inventory records. In
  multi-floor structures, the extinguisher number
  may be prefixed by the floor designation.
• Fire extinguishers having a gross weight not
  exceeding 40 pounds must be installed so that the
  top of the fire extinguisher is not more than 5
  feet above the floor. The clearance between the
  bottom of the fire extinguisher and the floor
  must be at least 4 inches.
• Portable fire extinguishers must be installed
  securely on the hanger, or in the bracket
  supplied by the extinguisher manufacturer, or in
  a bracket approved for such purpose, or placed in
  cabinets or wall recesses.
• If the possibility of damage to an extinguisher
  exists from rolling equipment, hampers, trucks,
  etc., suitable guards must be provided.
• A solid red rectangle must be applied to the wall
  behind the extinguisher, extending at least six
  inches beyond each side of the extinguisher. If
  the extinguisher is not readily visible from
  several directions, an additional rectangle at
  least 12 inches wider than the extinguisher must
  be painted on the wall above the extinguisher at
  least 12 feet from the floor.
• In USPS workrooms the location of column mounted
  extinguishers is indicated by a solid red band
  extending six inches above and below the
  extinguisher, encircling the column. If the
  location of the extinguisher cannot be
  immediately determined, or is not readily visible
  from several directions, a red band at least 6
  inches wide must be applied to the column at
  least 12 feet from the floor, encircling the
  column.
• Use additional directional signs or triangular
  sign, where necessary.
• Distribute portable fire extinguishers,
  regardless of size or class, so that the maximum
  travel distance to any extinguisher does not
  exceed 50 feet. This includes elevated work
  platforms, conveyor walkways, and catwalks.
• Selected locations should have the following
  characteristics
• (1) Provide uniform distribution
• (2) Provide easy accessibility
• (3) Be relatively free from blocking by storage
  and equipment, or both
• (4) Be near normal paths of travel
• (5) Be near entrance and exit doors

Signage or panel above extinguisher
Solid red rectangle, 6 inches beyond each side of
extinguisher.