What regulations and safety requirements must be followed when manufacturing and installing fire extinguisher pressure gauges

Fire extinguisher pressure gauges, as core components of fire extinguishers, face significant challenges in their effectiveness and safety. From a professional perspective, this isn't just a simple production process; it's a comprehensive reflection of a series of stringent regulations and technical standards. Only by strictly adhering to these requirements can fire extinguishers ensure reliable operation in emergencies and protect lives and property.

Manufacturing: Strict Standards and Certifications
The manufacturing process for fire extinguisher pressure gauges must adhere to numerous national and industry standards. These standards are designed to ensure the accuracy, durability, and safety of the gauges. For example, China's "Code for Acceptance and Inspection of Fire Extinguishers in Buildings" (GB 50444) and "General Technical Requirements for Portable Fire Extinguishers" (GB 4351.1) set specific requirements for pressure gauge performance, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Material Selection: Key components such as the pressure gauge housing and Bourdon tube must be constructed from corrosion-resistant, high-strength materials. Commonly used materials include stainless steel and copper alloys to ensure stable operation in various environments and resistance to corrosion from fire extinguishing agents and environmental factors.
Accuracy: The pressure gauge's indication accuracy is its core performance indicator. During manufacturing, accuracy must be ensured to meet relevant standard requirements, typically Class 2.5 or Class 1.6. This means that the indication error must be within the permitted range across the full range.
Pressure Testing: Every pressure gauge undergoes rigorous pressure testing before leaving the factory. This includes overpressure testing to verify its safety performance at pressures exceeding normal operating pressures and prevent rupture due to sudden pressure increases.
Certification Requirements: Qualified fire extinguisher pressure gauges must be certified by a nationally recognized testing agency. This typically includes type testing and batch product inspection. Only products with the corresponding certification are allowed to enter the market. These certification marks (such as the 3C certification) are important criteria for consumers and users to judge product quality.

Installation: Accuracy, Stability, and Sealing
The installation of a fire extinguisher pressure gauge is also crucial, directly impacting the overall performance of the extinguisher. The installation process must adhere to professional standards to ensure reliable connections and gas tightness.
Installation Position: The pressure gauge must be installed in the designated location on the fire extinguisher valve body, ensuring that the reading is clearly visible. The mounting angle and position should facilitate quick and accurate reading of the pressure information. Connection Sealing: The connection between the pressure gauge and the fire extinguisher valve body must be secured with specialized seals and tightened to the appropriate torque. Any minor leak could cause the extinguisher's internal pressure to gradually dissipate, causing it to fail at a critical moment.

Tamper-Proof Design: After installation, the pressure gauge and valve body are typically sealed with a disposable seal or lead seal. This not only prevents misuse or vandalism of the fire extinguisher but also serves as a crucial basis for subsequent maintenance inspections. The integrity of the seal provides visual proof that the fire extinguisher has not been used or tampered with.

Common Problems and Compliance

During the manufacturing and installation of fire extinguisher pressure gauges, some irregularities can lead to serious consequences. For example:

Using inferior materials: To reduce costs, some unscrupulous manufacturers use substandard materials in their pressure gauges. This can lead to corrosion, cracking, or even failure in high-temperature environments after long-term use.

Lack of Rigorous Testing: Pressure gauges that have not undergone rigorous pressure testing pose significant safety risks. If the internal pressure suddenly increases during use, a low-quality pressure gauge could burst, potentially causing injury to the user. Improper installation: Improper torque during installation or incorrect seal selection may cause gas leakage. Although the leakage process is slow, over time the fire extinguisher will lose its fire extinguishing ability due to insufficient pressure.