Inspect your extinguishers monthly to ensure they are charged and in ready-to-use condition. To keep your fire extinguishers operational and legal, you should inspect them monthly and annually.
Extinguishers: OSHA Mandates Monthly Extinguisher Inspections. According to OSHA 1910.157, employers are responsible for inspection of their portable fire extinguishers. More specifically, 1910.157(e)(2) requires that extinguishers be visually inspected on a monthly basis.
A professional fire protection and equipment company must test and certify your fire extinguisher once a year. Inspections typically cost between $40 and $100, depending on the urgency and size of the business.
Every 6 years, stored pressure fire extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test (e.g. dry chemical extinguishers) must be emptied and subjected to an internal examination by a trained technician in accordance with procedures detailed in the manufacturer's service manual and NFPA 10(10), Sec. 7.3.
Visually inspect all extinguishers monthly
Check for any damage like dents, cracks, or rust to the outside of the extinguisher. If the extinguisher is equipped with a gauge, make sure the needle points to the green “charged” portion of the dial. Make sure the pin and tamper seal are in place and undamaged.
Every 12 months, you must have your fire extinguishers serviced, referred to as a “basic service”. This service should be carried out in accordance with the BS 5036-3 standard and should be conducted by a third party, accredited fire extinguisher technician, with the correct tools, training and experience.
Recharging is generally more economical for larger, well-maintained extinguishers. However, replacing a small or damaged extinguisher might be more cost-effective in the long run, especially if frequent recharging is required.
Some local fire stations offer fire extinguisher inspections alongside other safety services. However, each fire department is different and some may not offer this service due to liability concerns. Check with your local fire department to see what fire safety services they offer.
Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years. Rechargeable fire extinguishers should be taken to an experienced fire equipment service company and inspected/recharged every 6 years, especially if used in a commercial application or in an uncontrolled temperature setting.
You are able to conduct fire extinguisher maintenance yourself on a monthly basis - you would check to see whether the apparatus is still in good condition and the pressure gauge is showing there is sufficient pressure.
All fire extinguishers generally require: Monthly visual inspections to check for damage, proper pressure, and accessibility. Annual professional inspections. Periodic hydrostatic testing (typically every 5-12 years, depending on the type)
The best bet is to check with the manufacturer of the fire extinguisher. However, a general rule of thumb that's often used in the industry is: Rechargeable fire extinguishers have a 10 to 12-year life expectancy, while non-rechargeable (aka disposable) fire extinguishers can be replaced after every 10 years.
Once a year, a qualified fire protection company must be brought in to complete a comprehensive maintenance inspection of all the fire extinguishers in your California facility.
Servicing Requirements
All extinguishers have to be inspected at six monthly intervals and if they don't have a pressure gauge, they may need to be weighed to check they are still full. Some extinguisher types may require additional tasks to be carried out annually.
To keep your fire extinguishers operational and legal, you should inspect them monthly and annually. OSHA (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3) also requires an annual fire extinguisher maintenance inspection which a professional fire extinguisher company must perform.
The recommended way to test fire extinguishers with the pressure pin on top is to press in the pin. If it pops back up, your extinguisher is still pressurized. On models with a pressure gauge, if the needle is in the green, the unit is pressurized.
NFPA 10 requires extinguishers be inspected when they are initially installed and once a month after that. You should inspect extinguishers more frequently if they are installed in locations where they are more prone to rust, impact or tampering.
Recharging a fire extinguisher would cost around $20 to $50 dollars, depending on the size.
2. Does the Fire Department recharge or maintain portable fire extinguishers? No. However the Fire Department administrative office serves as a drop-off point for citizens requiring the services of a fire extinguisher maintenance company.
One of the best things you can do is a visual inspection of your extinguisher to ensure the gauge is in the green area. If it's in the red, it indicates the extinguisher is in need of a recharge or it has been overcharged.
Based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, here are the two fire extinguisher life expectancy guidelines every business owner or facility manager needs to know: Disposable fire extinguishers - Should be replaced every 12 years. Rechargeable fire extinguishers - Should be recharged every 6 years.
Fire extinguishers are required in most commercial, industrial and residential buildings. The only buildings where fire extinguishers are not mandated are family homes.
A : "One Fire - One Extinguisher", is a brand-new approach to fire safety in the UK. These extinguishers are called "WATER-MIST" and have been manufactured with the idea that there should be only one fire extinguisher to deal with all types of fire.