When Should A Janitorial Service Clean Fire Extinguishers?
Janitorial Service and Fire Extinguisher Cleaning
A standard janitorial service generally dusts each building routinely. However, if you ever seen a fire extinguisher in an office building or medical facility, you will notice there is an inspection tag on it. Many states require fire extinguishers to be monitored at least yearly to ensure they work properly should they be required. Many commercial cleaning companies simply do not dust these fixtures, so dust and spider webs will build up on these areas. Fire extinguishers should be included in the normal dusting responsibilities. Here are some reasons why the fire extinguishers may not be routinely cleaned by a janitorial service company.
Depending on the type of flooring in a building, commercial cleaning companies should be dusting at least every other week. Fire extinguishers are no exception. However, if the flooring in an area is not carpeted, the areas should be dusted at least weekly, as the dust particles generally trapped by the carpet can become airborne and redistribute throughout a room. Some fire extinguishers are located behind glass enclosures. If this is the case, the enclosure should be opened (if possible) and the extinguisher should be dusted and the inside and glass in the enclosure should be cleaned.
While paying attention to the fire extinguisher, other areas, such as the fire alarm pull and fire alarm lights should be addressed. The fire alarm pull can be tricky, as a feather duster can get caught in the pull and accidentally trigger the alarm. But the top of the alarm box should be dusted if possible. If an abundance of dust accumulates at the top of the pull, use a bottle of canned air to remove the top layer of dust from the pull. You can properly clean this area without triggering the alarm, but many commercial cleaning companies simply skip cleaning these for fear of triggering the alarm. Find the fire alarm indicators too and make sure each one of those are properly dusted. Most are 7’+ from the ground, so they will likely not need to be dusted as much. When you go on your next bid, point out the dust to the building manager and let them know your staff is properly trained and will maintain these areas regularly.
There are few educational opportunities for janitorial service or commercial cleaning companies, but continuing education is always encouraged to build a stronger, healthier company. For more information on janitorial service education, visit ISSA at https://www.issa.com/. For more information on a janitorial service company in Columbia, South Carolina, visit https://www.palmettocommercialservices.com.
