Fire Extinguisher Testing & Maintenance Guide

Fire extinguishers are crucial safety equipment that play a vital role in extinguishing fire situations. Keeping them maintained and workable throughout their lifespan ensures they work as intended when required the most. In this comprehensive blog post, we will learn the best practices and checklists that explain all the whys and hows, along with checklists and guidelines related to firefighting cylinder testing and maintenance.

A] Why Fire Extinguisher Inspection and Maintenance Matter

To ensure the reliability of the fire extinguisher when needed, timely inspection and maintenance are needed. Early detection of leaks, corrosion, or pressure loss through careful inspection and maintenance can help save the lives of many in case of a fire situation. Inspection and maintenance are also important for compliance with the fire safety regulations and help individuals avoid legal consequences. In addition, well-maintained fire extinguishers last longer and function reliably during fire emergencies.

B] How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Checked?

The following are the routines for how often fire extinguishers should be checked: 

1. Monthly Visual Inspections

Monthly fire extinguisher inspections and maintenance have been mandated by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). Every fire extinguisher cylinder should undergo monthly visual inspections to make sure they are in a workable condition when needed. It includes verifying the cylinder’s pressure, assessing any physical damage, and ensuring the nozzle and safety seal are intact.

2. Annual Maintenance Inspection

In addition to monthly maintenance, annual inspection and maintenance of the fire extinguishers are equally important to fortify the overall conditions, including their structural integrity. These inspection and maintenance activities must be performed under the supervision of certified professionals. It should include assessing the condition of the seals, gauge, safety pin, body, and hose. If found damaged, it should be replaced with the original part.

3. Hydrostatic Testing Intervals

Hydrostatic testing is an integral part of fire extinguisher testing and maintenance, allowing individuals to assess the structural integrity of firefighting cylinders. This test should be performed periodically to make sure cylinders are free from leakage, weakness, and other defects that could compromise their reliability. When it comes to the test frequency, every cylinder should undergo hydrostatic testing every 5 years, depending on the type of fire extinguisher.

C] Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist

The following are the fire extinguisher checklists that guide how inspections should be performed:

• Location: Each cylinder must be placed within a reachable range for easy access in case of a fire situation. To ensure reachability, it should be placed at short intervals while ensuring they are visible, accessible, and unobstructed. 
• Pressure Gauge: The pressure gauge shows the readiness of the fire extinguisher. When the pressure gauge’s needle points to the green zone, it indicates that the extinguisher is ready to act in case of a fire emergency. On the other hand, if the needle points toward the red zone, either left or right, it indicates a potential problem that requires servicing or replacement. 
• Physical Condition: Every extinguisher should be free from rust, dents, leakage, tampering, or corrosion to ensure utmost reliability during a fire emergency.
• Seal and Pin: The seal should be properly placed while checking for damage or tampering to fend off accidental release. 
• Label and Instructions: Every fire extinguisher should have clear printed instructions and a label that indicates the type of fire extinguisher and the type of fire the specific extinguisher can extinguish. 

D] Fire Extinguisher Maintenance & Servicing Explained

The following are the basic and professional maintenance tasks that every cylinder should undergo:

1. Basic Maintenance Tasks

We have seen the importance of fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance, and how it is crucial for ensuring reliability at the time of use. Apart from the monthly and annual maintenance, some basic maintenance tasks must be followed to ensure the workability of cylinders. These basic maintenance tasks include recharging after use, cleaning, lubrication, and checking pressure and weight. 

2. Professional Servicing Tasks

Apart from basic maintenance tasks, professional fire extinguisher servicing tasks are equally important to ensure the containers are fully intact and ready to use from the inside out. It involves internal examinations, valve replacement (if required), re-pressurisation, and hydrostatic testing to check the structural integrity of the cylinder. 

E] Fire Extinguisher Servicing Frequency & Who Can Perform It

Every firefighting cylinder should be serviced annually by a trained technician to maintain the cylinder’s overall condition. It should involve a thorough examination of the mechanical parts, extinguishing agents, and overall physical conditions. Depending on the cylinder’s type, annual maintenance, internal examination every 6 years, and hydrostatic testing every 5 years are required to maintain the structural integrity and workability.

Conclusion

We have explored the importance of fire extinguisher maintenance and inspection, and learned the vital tips and checklist to keep the firefighting cylinders secure and reliable. Follow the explained best practices to keep them intact and reliable throughout their lifespan. 

Rama Cylinder is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of NGV Cylinders. We offer cylinders for firefighting applications, which are in demand for their robustness, safety, and international quality standards. Contact us today and safeguard your premises with our nationally and internationally certified firefighting cylinders.