How Often Should You Do Fire Extinguisher Inspection?

An effective and reliable fire safety tool, any establishment shouldn’t be without fire extinguishers. Keeping commercial and residential fire extinguishers in tiptop shape requires a regular and comprehensive fire extinguisher inspection.

How often should you get it inspected? What are the requirements set by the National Fire Protection Association for a proper fire extinguisher inspection? Let’s discuss the answer to these questions and more in today’s post.

Whatever business or industry you are in, it is essential to have the right fire safety and protection devices. Fire extinguishers are a vital component of your fire extinguisher plan. And for these devices to function effectively, they must undergo regular and comprehensive inspection.

There are inspection and maintenance guidelines that property owners must follow. These guidelines are set forth by the NFPA. Let’s take a look at these requirements, along with what transpires during a fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance procedure.

How Often Is a Fire Extinguisher Inspection Done?

Check the safety pins of fire extinguishers.

The NFPA mandates an annual inspection, testing, and tagging for all fire extinguishers. Aside from the annual inspections, there’s also a monthly schedule to be followed. These monthly inspections can be done by you, the property owner. They are conducted to ensure that fire extinguishers are in good condition.

As a property owner, one of the first things you do need to make sure of is the proper placement of the fire extinguishers throughout your property – at all times. Make sure they are not being moved around or misplaced.

Another important thing you need to check for are signs of visible damage. Check each one of the extinguishers in your property for any tampering or signs of use.

Look at the safety pin and seals. Check if the nozzles are clogged, if there are any dents, cracks, leaks, or signs of corrosion.

Look at the pressure gauge’s needle. Check to see if it’s pointed to the green zone. You can also try lifting it up to make sure it’s full. Inspect the dated tag. If it has been more than a year since you had a fire extinguisher inspection, make sure to call an appointment with a professional fire protection company today.

The Fire Extinguisher Inspection Process

Many people are led to believe that inspecting fire extinguishers entail actually using them. The annual inspection doesn’t involve that. This is merely because operating the fire extinguisher and using its contents during testing would be wasteful – when you could be using it to actually extinguish a fire in your property.

A fire extinguisher inspection will ensure that the device is in good condition.

You will need to get a professional inspector to do a thorough inspection of all the fire extinguishers in your building. The fire extinguisher inspector can check the following:

  • The right distance of each portable fire extinguisher throughout your building.
  • The right distance of each fire extinguisher is from a cooking appliance or equipment in a restaurant or commercial kitchen.
  • The right placement of all fire extinguishers throughout the property.
  • Ease of accessibility for each fire extinguisher.
  • The right labels and whether the texts are clearly legible.
  • The right readability and charge of the pressure dial.
  • The proper conditions of the hose, pull pin, and tamper seal.
  • Any signs of visible damage or any alterations that could contribute to a reduced effectivity of the device.

A Fire Extinguisher Inspection Is a Must

These regular fire extinguisher inspections are an absolute must. It ensures that you have a fire protection device that is in good working order. Should you find yourself in a fire emergency, you have a suitable fire extinguisher to help you combat the fire.

If you need any help with fire extinguisher maintenance, inspection, or any other fire safety-related question, please get in touch with us.