How often should you replace fire extinguishers?

Author: Prof. Mohammed Reynolds DDS  |  Last update: Thursday, May 8, 2025

When do fire extinguishers expire? Although they don't have a true "expiration date," traditional fire extinguishers generally have a 10-12 year life expectancy. Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years.

How many years is a fire extinguisher good for?

How long do fire extinguishers last? The average lifespan of a powder, foam or water extinguisher is usually between 10 and 12 years. This is based on the extinguisher being in good condition with no corrosion or damage. After this time, the fire extinguisher should be replaced with a new one.

How do I know if my fire extinguisher needs replacing?

Fire extinguisher: 4 Ways to know it needs a replacement
  1. When the nozzle or hose of an extinguisher is ripped, cracked, or blocked with dirt or debris.
  2. If the locking pin on the handle is unsealed or missing.
  3. The handle of the extinguisher is broken or wobbly.
  4. Or the hang tag or inspection sticker is missing.

How do I know if a fire extinguisher is expired?

Seals fail over time, and internal hardware can degrade to the point where it may not operate when needed to. If you're wondering how to find the expiration date on your fire extinguisher, look for a date stamp on the inspection tag first. You can also look for a date stamped on the cylinder's body.

How often does a fire extinguisher need replacing?

BS5306 recommends that Water, Foam and Powder Fire Extinguishers are tested by discharge every 5 years and refilled or replaced and CO2 Fire Extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years. Fire Fighting Equipment should be serviced annually in accordance with BS5306.

How often should you inspect your fire extinguisher?

Can you service a fire extinguisher yourself?

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.

How much does it cost to replace a fire extinguisher?

The most common 10lb ABC fire extinguishers can cost close to $100. Smaller 5lb fire extinguishers for small spaces go for around $40-$60. Commercial 20lb fire extinguisher can go upwards of around $200.

What is the maximum expiry date for a fire extinguisher?

When do fire extinguishers expire? Although they don't have a true "expiration date," traditional fire extinguishers generally have a 10-12 year life expectancy. Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years.

How do I check the status of my fire extinguisher?

Check the pressure gauge to make sure it reads in the green range. Make sure the fire extinguisher is full. This can be verified by lifting the unit or weighing it. Check for any wear or damage on the fire extinguisher, such as on the hose, nozzle, discharge handle or pressure gauge.

Can you service an expired fire extinguisher?

Disposable fire extinguishers, which you can't recharge, should be replaced every 12 years. As for rechargeable fire extinguishers, dispose of them if they exhibit any of these problems: Slow loss of pressure despite not being used for a long time. Cracked or clogged nozzle.

Is it cheaper to recharge a fire extinguisher or buy a new one?

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.

How do you tell if a fire extinguisher is good or bad?

Check the pressure gauge – Examine where the gauge needle is. A needle within the green zone is good. A needle in the left red zone means that the fire extinguisher is undercharged and warrants a recharge, while a needle in the right red zone signals a danger of being overcharged.

How much does it cost to get a fire extinguisher inspection?

Average cost of fire extinguisher inspection

A professional fire extinguisher inspection costs $40 to $100 on average, depending on the number and type of extinguishers.

What do you do with a 20 year old fire extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers contain chemicals unsafe for typical waste management plants, and they should be disposed of at a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility.

How do I know when to replace my fire extinguisher?

As a good rule of thumb, you should plan to replace your disposable fire extinguisher every 12 years. If you aren't sure how old your extinguisher is then you can check the pressure gauge on a monthly basis to ensure it's still functional.

What year are fire extinguishers obsolete?

Any extinguisher manufactured prior to 1955. Any extinguishers with 4B, 6B, 8B, 12B, and 16B fire ratings. Stored-pressure water extinguishers with fiberglass shells (pre-1976)

How do I know when my fire extinguisher expires?

How to Read a Fire Extinguisher Expiration Date. You can tell when a fire extinguisher expires by looking at the year and month punched on the tag. The extinguisher expires one year after the date indicated on the tag. The expiration date can be found at the bottom of the fire extinguisher tag.

Can I test my own fire extinguisher?

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.

Is a 25 year old fire extinguisher still good?

A fire extinguisher's lifespan depends on when it was manufactured and the type of extinguisher. Generally, a fire extinguisher has an expected service life of between 5 and 25 years from the date of manufacture. The environment has much to do with how well the extinguisher holds up.

What does a punch on a fire extinguisher tag mean?

You will see a month and year hole punched out that show when the last inspection took place. Unless required differently by your local inspector/AHJ, your tag is good for 1-year from that month and date. So, an extinguisher punched for January 2023 is good until the end of January 2024.

How often should fire extinguishers be serviced?

Fire extinguisher servicing needs to be done annually and every 5 years by a professional, to ensure you receive a safety certificate. Servicing your fire safety equipment keeps people safe and ensures each piece of equipment can be used, in case of an emergency.

What is the average lifespan of a fire extinguisher?

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.

Do fire extinguishers have to be replaced every 5 years?

Servicing and replacement schedules for fire extinguishers

Water extinguishers should be given an extended service every five years, along with Class D and Class F extinguishers. A full overhaul is only recommended for CO2 units and this should be done at least every 10 years.

Do fire extinguishers lower home insurance?

In some cases, installing low-cost safety features and security upgrades such as alarms and fire extinguishers can translate into a reduced home insurance premium.

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