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IDEAS THAT WORK
ACCREDITATION PREPARATION
Proof That Your Fire Extinguishers Were Inspected
D
on't get caught unprepared • extinguishers are in their desigwhen your accreditation
surveyor asks to see when
your portable fire extinguishers
were last expected. Annually, have
nated places;
• access and visibility are unobstructed;
• safety seals are intact;
a local company certified to inspect • there's no evidence of physical
fire extinguishers come to your
damage, corrosion, leakage or
facility to make sure the extinguish-
clogged nozzle;
ers are full and that gauges and the
hoses and nozzles are in proper
working order. When done, new
tags go on the extinguishers, and
you'll get the previous year's tags.
• the pressure gauges are in the
proper ranges;
• operating instructions are legible
and facing out; and
• they are full.
It's a good idea to save the tags and
David Nero, RN
the receipts of inspection in a plas-
East Greenwich
tic pouch and keep them with your
Endoscopy Center
preventive maintenance manual.
East Greenwich, R.I.
Additionally, each month a staff
dnero@symbion.com
member should visually inspect all
portable fire extinguishers in your
facility — and initial the tags in the
space for that month — to verify that
PROOF OF INSPECTION
The tags on your fire extinguishers demonstrate to surveyors your facility's attention
to safety details.
F E B R U A R Y 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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