Store the fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink

Every homeowner should practice kitchen fire safety. Kitchens are common places for household fires because of open flames, oils, and electrical appliances. Having a fire extinguisher on hand is one of the simplest and most effective methods of stopping small fires from developing into bigger ones. But one common question is, is it ok to store a fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink?

In this ultimate guide, we will discuss the importance of having fire extinguishers, the pros and cons of putting fire extinguishers under the sink, and safe alternatives. So let’s take a look and make sure your home is both fire safety compliant as well as fire safe.

Why Fire Extinguishers Are Important for Kitchen Safety

The kitchen can be a hotbed of fire hazards. From overheated cooking oils to faulty electrical appliances, the potential for a spark to erupt into a full-blown fire is always there. That’s where a fire extinguisher comes in — it’s your first line of defense in an emergency.

Fires You Often See in Kitchens

Knowing the types of fires common to the kitchen is key in selecting and using a fire extinguisher. Kitchen fires are generally divided into two types:

1. Class A Fires: Consist of normal combustibles such as paper, wood or fabric. These are pretty rare in kitchens.
2. Class B Fires: Flammable liquids (cooking oils and grease, gasoline, for example).
3. Class C Fires: These are electrical fires caused by exposed wires, faulty appliances, or overloaded circuits.
4. Class K Fires: These are specific to cooking oils and fats, the most severe kitchen fires.

The different types of fire need an extinguisher or suppression method according to their needs. Class K extinguishers or multipurpose fire extinguishers (rated for A, B, and C fires) are a strong recommendation for kitchens.

How Do Fire Extinguishers Reduce Risks?

Fire extinguishers are designed to be used to suppress fires at the source before they spread, buying you precious time to address the situation or to evacuate. And without one close by, even a small kitchen blaze can spiral out of control, with disastrous results.

Common Storage Do’s and Don’ts for Fire Extinguishers

It’s just as important where you keep your fire extinguisher as it is to have one to begin with. Access is everything — if you can’t access a fire extinguisher when disaster strikes, it’s useless.

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Typical Storage Locations

Here are the most common places you would find a fire extinguisher in homes:

• Under the Kitchen Sink: This location is a popular choice because it is often near the kitchen, and hidden from view.
• On Wall Mounts: In highly visible and accessible locations, often near exits.
• Their security is also chosen from common cabinets and pantries, their greaseless content.

All of these locations have their pros and cons, but the kitchen sink cabinet is one of the most debated locations for fire extinguisher storage.

Fire Extinguisher Under the Kitchen Sink | Pros and Cons

Is It Safe to Keep a Fire Extinguisher Under the Kitchen Sink?

Storing a fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink may be convenient, but is it the safest place? A few critical safety considerations.

Potential Risks

1. Heat, Moisture and Corrosion: Most kitchen sinks leak or sweat. Even after a fire and the extinguishment of the fire, exposing the fire extinguisher to moisture for a prolong period of time will corrode the casing of the fire extinguisher, damage the pressure gauge or even disable it.
2. Clutter and Accessibility: Sink cabinets are frequently home to cleaning supplies, trash cans and other household supplies. It can be hard to find and get to the extinguisher quickly in an emergency in a crowded area.
3. Temperature Changes: The sink area can go through major temperature changes, particularly in cooler climates. Most common causes can cause a loss of pressure in the extinguisher, making it less effective.

Guidelines for Safe Storage

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a refresher on fire extinguishers, and what you can do to keep them ready:

• Wall-mountable or install it in cabinets for visibility and easy access.
• Stored in such a way that they are extremely stable in temperature.
• At eye level or slightly lower for easy retrieval.

While the NFPA doesn’t specifically discourage storing a fire extinguisher under the sink, it’s not recommended based on the risks of moisture exposure and access.

Tips from the NFPA on Fire Extinguisher Placement

While the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has set some clear standards when it comes to the placement of fire extinguishers, this is mostly towards ensuring the utmost safety and usability in an environment where it is most likely going to be used.

Key Recommendations

1. Visibility and Accessibility: Fire extinguishers should be placed where they can be seen in plain sight, such as mounted on walls or placed adjacent to fire exits. This shortens the time it takes to find them in an emergency.
2. In the proximity of fire risks: Placing the extinguishers near the potential fire hazard is essential, but the distance to fire risks should also ensure safety. For kitchens, this means putting one near your stove or cooking area but not within arms’ reach during a fire.
3. Face the wall, and height and placement: Wall-mounted units should have the handle between 3.5 and 5 feet from the floor where you can access it.
4. Regular Maintenance: To make sure that your extinguishers work when they need to, have them inspected and maintained according to NFPA standards.

The guidelines below will help you know if you have your fire extinguisher in the best place, for safety and convenience.

Good Alternatives for Fire Extinguisher Storage

If it’s not safe to store a fire extinguisher under the sink, what are some better options? And here’s a few practical solutions.

Recommended Storage Locations

1. Near the Kitchen Exit: Having the extinguisher close to the exit allows you to grab it and then escape if the fire becomes a dangerous blaze.
2. Wall Mount: The kitchen often has wall-mounted brackets that ensure the fire extinguishers are obvious as well as secured.
3. In a Utility Closet: For the beauty-minded, a utility closet located by the kitchen offers a reliable, discreet safe bet for storage.

Tips for Choosing a Location

• Make sure the extinguisher is visible. Fluorescent red fire extinguishers are quite hard to miss when mounted or positioned in unobscured locations.
• To help the extinguisher live long, keep it out of extreme-temperature or moisture-prone areas.

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Is Critical: Here’s Why

A fire extinguisher itself is essential, but so is knowing if it’s in prime working condition. Failing to perform maintenance could lead to your extinguisher not working when you need it most.

Inspection Checklist

• Pressure Gauge Check needle is located in the green zone.
• Seal and Pin: Check that the safety pin is still in place and the tamper seal is unbroken.
• Body Condition: Check for rust or dent or corrosion.

How Often to Inspect

• Perform a visual inspection once a month to ensure the extinguisher is in good condition.
• Have a professional inspect it once a year to ensure it works.
• Replace or recharge your extinguisher every five to 12 years based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Conclusion

So proper fire extinguisher storage is a small step but it really goes a long way towards making sure your home and loved ones are safe. Storing a fire extinguisher under the sink may seem convenient, but having easy access to it and avoiding moisture damage make this a suboptimal location. Utilizing NFPA guidelines, looking into alternative storage options and regularly maintaining your extinguisher can all prepare you to fight kitchen fires.

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