What does the date on fire extinguisher mean?

Answer 1

A fire extinguisher requires routine maintenance and testing to ensure proper function during an emergency. The date, which is often found on a service tag attached to the extinguisher, will either indicate the date of the last test, or the date on which re-certification is required. For most areas in North America, Extinguishers in commercial buildings are to be inspected and re-certified annually, and extinguisher systems in food preparation/commercial kitchen areas semi-annually.

In many cases, there is a chart on the flip-side of the service tag, which is to be signed monthly by a responsible person from wherever the extinguisher is installed. This person is often an in-house health and safety representative, who simply checks that the pressure gauge of the extinguisher is in the green or 'charged' zone, and that the extinguisher is accessible and visibly in good condition.