How long does a fire extinguisher last?
Regulations in the UK recommend that fire extinguishers should be replaced every five years or be given an extended fire extinguisher inspection at that point. However, some fire extinguishers last longer than others. For example, CO2 fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years.
You always want to be prepared in case of emergencies and overall, fire extinguishers need to have been maintained in good working order. This involves monthly visual checks and annual fire extinguisher inspections by an expert fire extinguisher engineer.
Learn more: How to book an engineer to inspect your fire extinguisher »
How often should an inspection be carried out?
Monthly fire extinguisher inspections
As mentioned briefly above, fire extinguisher inspections need monthly visual inspections just to ensure that it’s not damaged or faulty. Here are some visual factors to look out for during your monthly inspection:
- A cracked, torn or blocked hose or nozzle
- Broken or missing locking pins, seals and tamper indicators
- An unstable/broken handle
- A missing service label. Ensure labels and tags on fire extinguishers are legible and if the service took place over 12 months ago, get one arranged straight away.
- Check your extinguishers aren’t obstructed by anything and are easy to get to
- Ensure the pressure dial on the fire extinguisher is pointing to the green
- Lift the extinguisher to check it feels full
- Check for other signs of damage including corrosion or leakage or any signs that the fire extinguisher has been tampered with
Fire extinguishers that fail the visual checklist need to be replaced or serviced right away.
Annual fire extinguisher inspections
With annual fire extinguisher inspections, they need to be carried out by a competent fire extinguisher engineer once a year. In accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS5306 guidelines, the engineer will carry out a full maintenance check, a thorough examination and, if needed, repair it. Once a fire extinguisher has passed its annual service, it will be tagged and dated. If the fire extinguisher can’t be repaired it must be replaced.
The Extras
What separates a good fire extinguisher service company from an average one? It’s the care and attentiveness that they offer. During your fire extinguisher inspection, good engineering won’t just service the equipment itself. Additionally, they should offer consultancy on whether your extinguisher is located in the right place, that it’s fitted correctly, and that you’re using the right extinguisher suitable for the hazards within that area.
Looking to have your fire extinguisher inspected? Choose Total Safe to take the worry out of fire safety.
