Firefighting Equipment
Servicing & Supply
In accordance with SANS 1475 Part 1 & 2, South Africa’s national standard for servicing firefighting equipment such as extinguishers, hose reels, and hydrants, and guided by local by-laws and the OHS Act, all fire equipment must receive annual servicing from a registered and accredited firefighting equipment servicing company.
Firefighting Equipment Servicing & Equipment Supply Services
As per South Africa National Standards (SANS) 1475 Part 1 & 2, which is the national standard for servicing firefighting equipment items such as extinguishers, hose reels and hydrants, as well as local municipal by-laws and the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, all fire equipment must be serviced at least once a year, by an accredited and registered firefighting equipment servicing company.
Absolute Health Services’ (AHS) partner company, First Aid Fire and Safety Training (FAFST), is a registered SANS (SABS) firefighting equipment servicing company and AHS is also accredited by South Africa Qualifications Certification Committee (SAQCC) as a firefighting equipment servicing training company.
Various types of fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, fire hose reels and booster connections can be serviced by our qualified and SAQCC registered technicians. After completion of the servicing of your fire equipment, your company will receive a fire equipment servicing compliance certificate. This Certificate of Compliance (COC) needs to be provided to your local insurance company/broker as proof that your fire equipment was serviced as per SANS 1475 Part 1 & 2.
In addition to receiving your COC for the firefighting equipment servicing you will also receive a firefighting equipment monthly check sheet, which will assist your fire wardens in completing their monthly check sheets. We will also supply you with an updated firefighting equipment register, which will list all your equipment in terms of: type and size of firefighting equipment, location of the fire equipment, last servicing date and next advisable servicing date.
As per SANS Part 1 and 2 all stored pressure type (STP) fire extinguishers need to be pressure tested at least once every 5 years and carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers need to be pressure tested at least once every 10 years. Our firefighting equipment servicing technicians will be able to advise you as to the correct type of servicing that will be required for your various types of fire extinguishers.
The Right Firefighting Equipment to Have on Site
The correct equipment must be available at your workplace and must be regularly maintained and serviced to ensure it is ready to be used in an emergency. These usually include fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire buckets or even fire blankets. Larger office environments may even have sprinkler systems in place.
Fire Equipment – Fire Extinguishers, Hose Reels and Fire Hydrants
Regular maintenance of fire extinguishers is crucial to ensure their readiness for use. When servicing or maintaining fire extinguishers, it’s important to take into account various factors. SANS 1475 mandates an annual maintenance schedule (i.e. every 12 months, not more frequently as some fire servicing companies might suggest) for fire extinguishers, hose reels, and hydrants, and further requires pressure testing of powder, foam, water, and water-based extinguishers every 5 years and CO2 extinguishers every 10 years.
Fire Blankets
For small fires, particularly in a kitchen, a fire blanket can be utilised. Fire blankets play a crucial role in commercial kitchens, where food is prepared, flammable substances are used, or a significant risk of small fires exists in the workplace, making it a crucial piece of safety gear.
Fire Alarms
A fire alarm is a vital component of a company’s safety equipment. When properly installed, it reduces the risk of injury or death from fire, smoke, heat, or other factors for employees, visitors, and contractors.
Emergency Evacuation Plans
SANS 23601 outlines the standards for emergency evacuation plans. These plans should be prominently displayed, easily accessible, and readable to anyone present at the site. They must be securely fixed and located in a place where occupants can familiarize themselves with the escape routes.
Site Safety Signs
Effective communication is essential in fostering a culture of safety in the workplace. One way to communicate is by using Site Safety Signs. As stated in General Safety Regulations 3, subsection 6 (OHS Act 85 of 1993), employers must post a highly visible sign at the workplace indicating the location of First Aid kits and the name of the person in charge of them.
Personal Protective Equipment
The role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is to safeguard employees from workplace hazards and the possibility of injury. PPE should only be used as a last resort, when other methods of protection are insufficient or not feasible.
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