Fire protection recycling – what it is and why it’s beneficial

By NextHome Staff
January 31, 2019

What is fire protection recycling?

Fire extinguishers help protect lives and property. There are different types of fire extinguishers for the different types of fires (Class A, B, C, & K fires). These extinguishers use different materials such as carbon dioxide and foam to suppress the fire. Once you use a fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire, you will need to refill or recharge the partially or completely empty cylinder. The refilling/recharging of fire extinguishers and other fire protection equipment is referred to as fire protection recycling.Fire protection recycling also refers to the removal of fire protection equipment such as fire extinguishers that are defective or that you no longer need for other reasons.

Why do fire protection recycling?

It is possible to refill or recharge all metal-made fire extinguishers, no matter what they were filled with. Not having to replace metal-made fire extinguishers whenever they run out means you will save money, keeping in mind that the metal container of fire extinguishers, the nozzle, and other components are a big part of the fire extinguisher cost.Getting rid of fire extinguishers and other fire protection equipment should only be handled by a fire extinguisher recycling Toronto expert to prevent injury to self and others since the containers are highly pressurized, to safeguard the environment since some extinguishing agents are harmful to people and the environment, and to abide by health and safety policies.Even if you have access to the filling material such as carbon monoxide, you should never attempt to recharge the metal container yourself because this could cause serious injuries and even death. Fire extinguisher containers are highly pressurized and they could explode when improperly handled. A good fire protection recycling expert will have the tools and equipment necessary to refill/recharge the container.Building codes require that buildings have firefighting equipment. These equipment have to be inspected regularly to ensure they are in good working condition. Refilling/recharging has to be done by a professional if the firefighting equipment is to pass inspection after first use.If you care about the environment, fire protection recycling goes a long way in reducing your carbon footprint. Most fire extinguishers are made of Bismuth alloys that can be recycled into various raw materials. Fire extinguishers also have rubber and plastic components that can also be recycled. Some extinguishing agents such as phosphorous and nitrogen can be recycled into fertilizers.If your old fire extinguisher is corroded, your local retailer or supplier will not accept it, but a fire protection recycling company will. Ensure that the recycling company you zero in is a licensed and registered waste carrier.If you want to completely replace your old fire extinguishers with new ones, a good fire protection recycling company will supply the new extinguishers and get rid of the old ones free of charge.If you leave end-of-useful-life or condemned fire protection equipment lying around or you entrust their disposal to a local retailer or your local garbage disposal company, there is a risk that it will re-enter service elsewhere, posing a grave danger to unsuspecting users.Fire protection recycling companies offer convenience. Top recyclers in the Greater Toronto Area offer roll on, roll off collection, van collection, pallet collection, and skip container collection services everywhere, meaning you can find what is most convenient to you.With a fire protection recycling expert, you do not have to research on the different laws governing fire protection equipment recycling in Toronto. An expert will know all the applicable laws and will abide by them to ensure you do not land into legal problems.Proper disposal starts with checking the pressure gauge to determine if there is any extinguishing agent left, but there might be a problem with the gauge and this is not a go-ahead for you start removing the head. An expert will have the proper equipment to determine if the container is truly empty.It is rare to find a fire protection recycling company that only does recycling. Top fire extinguisher recycling Toronto companies also offer such related services as fire extinguisher training, inspection services, alarm monitoring, first aid, and engineering and design. They also offer such related products as fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, kitchen systems, emergency lighting, fire suppression systems, dry chemical systems, and fire safety plans. Getting all your fire protection services under one roof offers convenience and cost benefits. Your fire protection recycling expert will be one call away, no matter the fire protection problem you have.

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