Portable fire extinguishers are used to control or extinguish small fires and to protect evacuation routes in a crisis. Like any lifesaving equipment, you want to ensure that the fire extinguisher is in optimal condition so it can function effectively when required.
This guide will explain how often fire extinguishers should be inspected, serviced, and tested according to the NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers and OSHA Standard 1910.157 for Portable Fire Extinguishers. Knowing how many times you should check and service your extinguisher will help make sure it is ready to use in an emergency.
How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Inspected?
Fire extinguishers should be inspected during installation and once per month in accordance with NFPA 10 and OSHA 1910.157 Standards. Extinguishers installed in areas more prone to rust, impact, or tampering should be checked more frequently to comply with inspection regulations.
Extinguisher Inspection Procedures
At a minimum, fire extinguisher inspections need to consist of the following steps:
- Make sure the extinguisher is located in its designated place.
- Make sure the extinguisher is visible or proper signage is evident to indicate where the extinguisher is located.
- Make sure the extinguisher is easily accessible.
- Ensure the pressure gauge is in the operable range or position.
- Lift or weigh the extinguisher to make sure it is full.
- For wheeled extinguishers, inspect the tires, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle for acceptable condition.
- For non-rechargeable extinguishers, operate the push-to-test pressure indicators.
Recordkeeping for Inspections
The NFPA 10 Standard states that records of the monthly inspections need to be maintained by either putting a tag or label on the extinguisher or by having it recorded on paper or electronic files. Records must also be maintained for at least 12 months.
Record the following information:
- The month and year of the inspection.
- The person conducting the inspection.
How Often Fire Extinguishers Should Be Serviced
Fire extinguishers should be serviced every 1-12 years depending on the type of extinguisher in accordance with NFPA 10 and OSHA 1910.157 Standards. When recharging or hydrostatic testing is performed, the next service requirement begins from that date.
Note: Dry chemical extinguishers having non-refillable disposable containers are exempt from this service requirement; however these fire extinguishers do expire, so make sure to replace this type every 10-12 years per the service life stamp on the canister.
Maintenance Involving Internal Examination
Fire extinguishers shall be internally examined at intervals not exceeding those specified in NFPA 10 Table 7.3.3.1.
| Type of Extinguisher | Internal Examination Interval (Years) |
|---|---|
| Stored-pressure loaded stream and antifreeze | 1 |
| Pump tank water and pump tank, calcium chloride based | 1 |
| Dry chemical, cartidge- and cylinder operated, with mild steel shells | 1* |
| Dry powder, cartridge- and cylinder operated, with mild steel shell | 1* |
| Wetting agent | 1 |
| Stored-pressure water | 5 |
| AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) | 3+ |
| FFFP (film-forming fluoroprotein foam) | 3+ |
| Stored-pressure dry chemical, with stainless steel shells | 5 |
| Carbon dioxide | 5 |
| Wet chemical | 5 |
| Dry chemical stored-pressure, with mild steel shells, brazed brass shells, and aluminum shells | 6 |
| Halogenated agents | 6 |
| Dry powder, stored-pressure, with mild steel shells | 6 |
extinguishers are examined annually.
+The extinguishing agent in liquid charge-type AFFF and FFFP
extinguishers is replaced every 3 years, and an internal examination
(teardown) is nom1ally conducted at that time.
Testing Schedule for Fire Extinguishers
The following table illustrates how frequently different types of fire extinguishers must be hydrostatically tested in accordance with NFPA 10 Section 8 and OSHA 1910.157(f) Standard. Testing records shall be kept until the extinguisher is hydrostatically retested at the time interval specified in the table or until the extinguisher is taken out of service, whichever comes first.
| Type of Extinguisher | Testing Interval (Years) |
|---|---|
| Soda acid (stainless steel shell) | 5 |
| Cartridge operated water and/or antifreeze | 5 |
| Stored pressure water and/or antifreeze | 5 |
| Wetting agent | 5 |
| Foam (stainless steel shell) | 5 |
| Aqueous Film Forming foam (AFFF) | 5 |
| Loaded stream | 5 |
| Dry chemical with stainless steel | 5 |
| Carbon dioxide | 5 |
| Dry chemical, stored pressure, with mild steel, brazed brass or aluminum shells | 12 |
| Dry chemical, cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shells | 12 |
| Halon 1211 | 12 |
| Halon 1301 | 12 |
| Dry powder, cartridge or cylinder operated with mild steel shells | 12 |
Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Servicing, and Testing Summary Table
Here is a table that combines all of the fire extinguisher inspection, service, and testing schedule details for NFPA 10 and OSHA 1910.157.
| Extinguisher Type | Inspection | Maintenance | Recharging | Hydrostatic Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Chemical (Stored Pressure) | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 6 years | 12 years |
| Carbon Dioxide | 30 days | Maintenance & conductivity test at 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 5 years | 5 years |
| Water (Stored Pressure) | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 5 years | 5 years |
| Dry Chemical (Stainless Steel) | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 6 years | 5 years |
| Dry Chemical (Cartridge) | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 6 years | 12 years |
| Wet Chemical AFFF (Liquid Charge Type) | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 3 years | 5 years |
| FFFP (Liquid Charge Type) | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 3 years | 5 years |
| Dry Powder | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 6 years | 12 years |
| Halogenated (Halon) | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 6 years | 12 years |
| FE-36 | 30 days | 1 year | Empty & internally inspect at 6 years | 12 years |
Qualifications for Servicing
Fire extinguisher maintenance needs to be performed by a certified individual. Certification requires that a person take a test acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). A certified person needs to be familiar with the requirements of NFPA 10 Standard and OSHA 1910.157 Standard for employers.
Extinguisher Servicing Procedures
Fire extinguisher maintenance and service procedures must include the procedures detailed in the manufacturer’s service manual and a thorough examination of the basic elements of the fire extinguisher, including:
- Mechanical parts of all fire extinguishers
- Extinguishing agent
- Expelling means
- Physical condition
This is completed by doing an external examination. An internal examination of the extinguisher may also be required as part of your maintenance. Details on how to do an internal examination are located in your fire extinguisher service manual. A general guideline for the testing schedule can be found in the next section.
Recordkeeping for Servicing
The NFPA 10 Standard states that each fire extinguisher shall have a tag or label securely attached that indicates that maintenance was performed.
The tag or label needs to identify the following information:
- Month and year extinguisher maintenance was performed.
- The person performing the extinguisher service work.
- Name of the agency performing the service.
Extinguishers also need a verification-of-service collar located around the neck of the container if an internal examination was conducted.
That collar needs to have:
- Month and year the work was performed.
- Name of the agency performing the service.
Note: If you are checking fire extinguishers at a business, you need to make sure you have enough extinguishers per square footage for regulatory compliance. See this related guide on how many fire extinguishers are required in a business premises to get more details on building fire protection requirements.
End Of Life for Fire Extinguishers
Providing that the fire extinguisher continues to pass inspections and can be serviced, there is no limit to the life of the unit. If you follow the guidelines listed here for how often fire extinguishers should be inspected, serviced, and tested, you can safely use the extinguisher to control or extinguish small fires.
However, over time, replacement parts may no longer be available, manufacturing standards can change, and it becomes harder to service the extinguisher, indicating that it has reached its end of life and should be replaced.