One thing I’ll always say you should never skimp on is the safety of your safety equipment. Fire Extinguisher Cabinets, double and single ones, are one of the many upholders of this invaluable notion. Of course, you can simply keep an extinguisher on a stand or on a wall bracket. Worried about the weather getting it down? You could put a fire extinguisher cover on your extinguishers to stop them getting wet and dusty. So why go for something this bulky, that is undoubtedly more expensive than those other options?
The truth is, you might not need a Fire Extinguisher Cabinet, but maybe you don’t know for sure. Let me help you find out, one way or another.
What is a Fire Extinguisher Cabinet Specifically?
It’s worth knowing, but mainly because there’s such a variety of methods you could use to store your extinguishers. I mentioned a number of other options already. There are also boxes, or crates more like, which are the most multi-purpose of all. These crates are great for temporary but highly secure storage where quick deployment is essential, but sometimes, something more ‘fixture-like’ is in order.
No riddles here, the Fire Extinguisher Cabinet is definitively a cabinet. It doesn’t betray that word in any sense, which is why you could feasibly use one for storing just about anything. So what sets it apart? Well, if we take a look at our weatherproof storage cabinets as an example, we can see the intention to accommodate extinguishers in most areas of the design.
The most obviously intentional feature is the protective rings on the inside that hold the extinguishers in place. This would be followed up by colour and dimensions. The bright red is pretty much identical to the hue present on most extinguishers. It instantly catches your eye and clues you in to what might be inside. Then there’s size and shape, which are chosen to fit either one or two medium-sized extinguishers. The rings on the inside reinforce this, making it clear that the cabinet is made for large, cylindrical objects.
It’s also worth pointing out the weather seal and the glass window on the front. The seal helps keep out rain and other moisture. This prevents rust, which is a massively important in maintaining a fire extinguisher’s readiness. And the window (or windowst) helps identify the contents at a glance. This is especially useful for our single cabinets, as the window entails almost the full height. This gives a full view of the type of extinguisher contained within.
Why You Need a Fire Extinguisher Cabinet – The Practical Reasons
A lot of what’s above helps explain this. But there are practical applications that a cabinet fulfils that the other storage options available don’t. Number one, perhaps, is sheer durability. This is what makes a cabinet your go-to if you need to keep any extinguishers outdoors and unsheltered. So if you’re buying for a petrol station, you can probably keep your extinguishers sheltered even while they’re outside. For that, you may want a stand instead of a cabinet as fast response is essential. But if we are venturing into the true outside, then keep in mind that these cabinets are weather and impact resistant to a degree that won’t disappoint.
Accidental damages shouldn’t even be on your mind now, but there’s more I can give you on the weather front. This resistance to the elements makes these cabinets suitable for keeping extinguishers in a range of harsh environments. Coastal uses come to mind, as salty air and water can lead to detrimental corrosion to your extinguishers. Insects and small debris can easily block the hoses as well, so if you encounter such things regularly then a cabinet will help you.
The cabinet can also serve as a place to rely on an extinguisher to be. Those kept on stands or not fixed at all can be easily moved and not returned. The cabinet will always be visible, always be in the same place, and its presence encourages people to make sure its contents are returned after use. Suffice to say that keeping your extinguishers easy to find and ready to use is the core purpose of a Fire Extinguisher Cabinet.
Why You Need a Fire Extinguisher Cabinet – The Official Reasons
Official reasons, what does that mean? Well, we’ve talked about securing your extinguisher’s readiness already. Now to talk about the actual security of accessing the extinguisher. Starting with theft. Now the cabinet stays locked most of the time, but we’ll talk about the key later. So no one is breaking into these things, but we do have something to offer if you’re worried about that. The STI Mini Theft Stopper Alarm can be easily fitted to the inside of your cabinet and will prevent misuse with ease.
Now let’s talk about keys. This is an important aspect of the Fire Extinguisher Cabinet, because it makes it about who has access, not just how tough the thing is. Vigil’s Double Fire Extinguisher Cabinet comes with two plastic keys. One is supplied inside the cabinet, which is thankfully delivered unlocked. The other key is for anyone to use but is kept behind a Perspex screen on the front of the cabinet. The screen needs to be broken to access the key, acting as a deterrent for malicious vandalism, and making it obvious if the cabinet has been used or potentially tampered with.
Now, this might at first sound a bit counterintuitive. Why would I want to lock people out of using a fire extinguisher? Well, you probably wouldn’t, but you would want to prevent children from playing with them, and just keeping them high off the ground might not cut it (and would make it more difficult for adults to access them anyway). As such, Fire Extinguisher Cabinets are a popular choice for schools.
And That’s It!
The bottom line is that depending on the nature of your property or business, peace of mind may necessitate that only trusted and qualified individuals have access to your fire extinguishers. Of course, keeping the key next to the cabinet is a valid way of making it accessible to all responsible adults, while keeping it relatively child-proof.
So, if any of the applications and features of Fire Extinguisher Cabinets I’ve described appeal to you or otherwise align with your needs, then feel free to browse our range of cabinets here. And in the meantime, if you want a better idea of how they work, check out this helpful video:
