There are different protocols for commercial and residential fire extinguishers.
NFPA standards require monthly inspections of portable fire extinguishers by staff in commercial and industrial areas. Extinguishers in these settings must be checked out by a licensed extinguisher maintenance contractor every 12 months.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards states that most fire extinguishers should be replaced or recharged every 5-12 years in residential settings, unless the manufacturer specifies an earlier expiration date. But do you remember if you got yours four years ago or eight? So here are a few things to check:
- Check your fire extinguishers gauge monthly to verify that your fire extinguisher is still charged.
- If the needle is in the green area, it’s functional. If the pointer in is the red the extinguisher should be serviced or replaced.
- Check that the pull pin is securely fastened within the handle and held in place by the tamper seal.
- Check for visible dents or cracks in the extinguisher body.
- Make sure that the fire extinguisher has a label and that it is legible.
If you need fire extinguisher inspection, replacement or recharge contact your preferred distributor.
Replace or service an extinguisher right away if it’s been used or if you notice any of the following:
- The seal around the neck is weakened or broken down, allowing the compressed air to escape. This will lower the pressure in the fire extinguisher and cause it to malfunction.
- The chemical powder in your fire extinguisher settles on the bottom of and gets packed down. If this happens, a professional fire protection services company can empty and recharge your fire extinguisher so you won’t have to replace it.
- The hose or nozzle is cracked, ripped, or clogged.
- The pin is missing or unsealed.
- The handle is broken or wobbly.
- The inspection tag is missing.