How often replace home fire extinguisher?

Answer 1

The average life span of a working fire extinguisher is anywhere between five and fifteen years. Check the needle indicator - if it's in the green section, the fire extinguisher will still work. Older models without gauges need to be checked by professional fire-extinguisher-replacement specialists.

Answer 2

A date is stamped on the neck/bottom of the pressurized dry chemical extinguisher. i.e 04 - could mean 2004 or 1994, but nonetheless, the 4th year. It could be on a label, but should be embossed/stamped on the steel canister.

To Inspect: A manager or other competent person with basic observational skills and the following basic information should be able to do this. It would be best if a safety specialist Inspect the device monthly, for proper pressure (on the gauge, hose is on, tight (twisted into the valve body); if only a nozzle, check that its there and tight, and hose is not dry rotted, cracked or plugged with anything (bees, bugs, spider webs, vandalism - stuffed with paper or dirt), and that the labels are in good shape. Insure that the valve (handle that you squeeze) is restrained with a detente, usually a small plastic strap, or plastic tab, with perferations that allow the strap to be readily broken by a user, but not inadvertently removed by someone without purpose. The inspector observes that the unit is properly hung, and marked with signage that alerts persons in the area as to the location, observable in an emergency. This should be conducted monthly, and the inspection tag that should hang from or be glued to the unit should be marked. An inspection record with the inspectors initials may be kept separately, or the tag may suffice, to show diligence and routine inspections.

Some jurisdictions would add that a qualified technician, should conduct an "annual" inspection, which is for all intents just the same as the thorough monthly, but some feel that having a third party do the inspection and hang a new annual tag, that they are in better compliance. Most jurisdictions and U.S. Federal OSHA will accept the management's documented inspection and a visual gauge showing 'ready' or 'green', as evidence of compliance.

After any incident (full or partial use for a fire, accidental or malicious discharge) the unit should be refilled by a qualified technician. Qualified technicians are commonly licensed in the state or municipality they work in. Fire extinguisher manufacturer's, of course, and most fire extinguisher sales outlets could refill, or direct you to a qualified technician.

The refill, is done by a qualified technician, who empties it, inspects in in and out for corrosion, split seals or liners, caked or lumped powder, and properly cleans the valve, (brass or plastic with brass (may actually be another "metal valve") being better and longer lasting and more sure to hold pressure over time - and virtually always reusable. Plastic may need replacing). He inspects the entire unit, and replaces valve seals, o-rings, and gaskets if necessary. He throws away or collects for re-use the powder, and then refills with the appropriate material, properly weighed, and then reassembles and re-pressurizes to the required pressure. He checks the hoses, and hangers, fittings, and labels, and then marks the tags or labels. He lets the unit set for 12 -24 hours to insure that the valve does not have tiny particles of powder or wear that might let it bleed off pressure. Then he returns it to the user. (If done on site, the rare instance of a unit bleeding off is then discovered by the user, and the technician would need to replace valves, and re-do the service.)

The refill and interior inspection routine should be done every six years, if a unit has otherwise been inspected by management monthly, and has not been discharged, and has not otherwise had any need for a refill, or technician to service it. This should be documented.

Every 12 years, the unit must be subjected to a refill and interior inspection, and added to that a hydro test. Hydro test is a pressure test conducted to a high pressure (as prescribed by codes and/or manufacturers), that proves the container is still adequately strong. Seams and bottoms can corrode, and maybe damaged in rough handling, and the hydro test proves that it is still in tact and structurally sound. It is after all, a 'pressure vessel'. They test is conducted with and/or under water, to protect from explosions in the test shop, and to detect air bubbles, and leaks. Following the hydro test, the same service is given as discussed in the refill/service discussion above. It would not be uncommon for a technician to recommend new valves, and the usual replacement of seals during a hydro test, but a high quality metal ('brass') valve, could last a lifetime, if not frequently used. Discharges are somewhat abrasive, so that is the usual way for valves (especially plastic) to be 'worn out'.

The above applies to most all pressurized portable dry chemical extinquishers in general, regardless of type of powder. (Generally portable are cabinet or wall mounted in buildings, or bracket mounted on vehicles, and are from 2.5 to 20 lb rated extinguishers. Some bigger units on wheeled carts may be covered by this general guidance too. Some specialized units (such as stainless steel tanks) may be shorter test duration (5 or 6 years).

It also applies generally to pressurized water fire extinguishers, except that a user can refill those and pressurize those with a conventional air hose. Allowing that those also require periodic (I say monthly) and/or annual checks, and of course a qualified technician to inspect every 6 years, and a hydro test every 12.

The portable CO2 (carbon dioxide) are similar, except they have no gauge to tell you they have pressure (the expanding CO2 does that when released) or that there is any (enough) CO2 inside. Since that is the case, they should be weighed, annually, to insure the volume of material inside is still within expected limits, and it may not be necessary to discharge it and inspect it at 6 years, if it weighs the same from its first installation. It would be required to be hydro tested, each 12 years. CO2 extinguishers should have the hose and bell (horn) on the hose end tested for non-conductivity to assure that arcing or electric potential cannot travel to the users body, when used on live electric fires.

Some local or state codes may have other requirements, and even local fire marshals may have the authority to impose other requirements. Especially in the case of pressurized "in place" systems, (such as on grills, ovens, and so on) even though some parts of that system are "powered" by "portable" manually activated tanks.

Answer 3

The annual maintenance, if any, depends upon the type of extinguisher and the conditions under which it is kept, among other things.

Read more: How_often_should_you_inspect_fire_extinguisher

Answer 4

A fire extinguisher should be examined monthly, tested yearly and replaced no more than ten years after initial installation.