Gwangju Bukbu Fire Station Urges Replacement of Fire Extinguishers Over 10 Years Old

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Northern Fire Station of Gwangju Metropolitan City urged on the 21st that old fire extinguishers over 10 years old should be replaced or disposed of for safe use in case of fire.

According to the "Act on Fire Prevention, Installation and Maintenance of Firefighting Facilities and Safety Management," old fire extinguishers that have passed 10 years from the manufacturing date must undergo a performance test once for reuse or be disposed of.

Since aged fire extinguishers may have low pressure making them unusable or may fail to perform properly in emergencies, it is necessary to check the manufacturing date and expiration date of the powder extinguisher indicated on the side of the main body.

Disposal of old fire extinguishers can be done by applying via phone or app to a waste disposal agency according to the revised "Ordinance on Waste Management in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City," and paying the fee.

Kim Gwan-ho, Director of the Prevention and Safety Division, said, "A fire extinguisher plays the same role as one fire truck when used at the early stage of a fire," and urged, "Regular inspection and management are necessary to ensure it can be used quickly and effectively in emergencies."