Is Your Fire Extinguisher Due? Here Is How to Tell

An extinguisher can look fine on the wall and still be due for service. The fastest way to find out is to read its service tag, inspect its condition, and compare the dates to your maintenance records.

Start with the service tag

Look for the maintenance tag attached to the extinguisher. It should show the most recent qualified service and provide a record of the technician or company that performed it. If the tag is missing, unreadable, or expired, arrange an evaluation.

• Read the month and year of the last annual maintenance.
• Check whether the service provider recorded a 6-year internal examination.
• Look for the hydrostatic test date or cylinder marking where applicable.
• Compare the tag to your asset list, especially for remote units and vehicles.

Know the main deadlines

Under NFPA 10 (2022 Edition), portable extinguishers need regular visual inspection, annual maintenance, and additional internal or hydrostatic service based on the unit type. Stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers commonly have a 6-year internal examination interval and many applicable cylinders have a 12-year hydrostatic test interval.

Check for immediate problems

Before the service visit, perform the owner’s monthly visual check. Confirm that the extinguisher is in place, accessible, sealed, undamaged, and in the operable pressure range if it has a gauge.

• A gauge outside the operable range.
• Missing pin or broken tamper seal.
• Leakage, corrosion, dents, damaged hose, or a blocked nozzle.
• A unit that has been discharged or is not where it belongs.

What to do when a date or condition is wrong

1. 1Record the location — Note the unit location, type, and the issue found so the right equipment is addressed.
2. 2Provide replacement protection — Do not leave a required area unprotected while a unit is removed for service.
3. 3Schedule qualified service — Request maintenance, internal examination, testing, recharge, or replacement as the technician determines.
4. 4Update your records — File the completed tag information and set the next review date.

Do not try to refill, recharge, or repair a unit yourself. The correct next step depends on the extinguisher design and its service history.

Make due dates easier to manage

Keep a simple asset list by location and include annual, 6-year, and hydrostatic due dates. Review it whenever you open a new area, add a vehicle, or move equipment.