How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Inspected or Replaced?
小编2025-07-04
Owning a fire extinguisher is a smart safety decision — but it’s not enough to just have one. Like any safety device, fire extinguishers require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure they work when needed. Here's what you need to know:
1. Visual Check — Once a Month
Every month, you should do a basic visual inspection:
Is the pressure gauge in the green zone?
Is there any damage, rust, or leakage?
Is the pin and tamper seal intact?
Is the label readable?
2. Professional Maintenance — Once a Year
Have a certified technician conduct a full inspection once a year. This includes checking internal components, verifying pressure, cleaning the nozzle, and ensuring it's compliant with safety regulations.
3. Recharging After Every Use
Even if you only discharged a small amount of the extinguisher, it needs to be recharged immediately. This applies to all refillable types, including ABC dry powder, CO₂, foam, and wet chemical extinguishers.
4. Replacement Every 5 to 10 Years
Fire extinguishers don’t last forever. Depending on the type and manufacturer, most units should be replaced after:
5 years: for disposable (non-rechargeable) extinguishers
10 years: for rechargeable models, unless they fail inspection earlier
Check the manufacturer's label for the exact expiration timeline. A 4kg or 6kg ABC extinguisher, for example, usually has a 10-year usable life with proper maintenance.
5. Signs You Should Replace It Immediately
Regardless of age, replace the extinguisher if:
There’s visible damage or corrosion
It has a cracked or missing hose/nozzle
The pressure gauge is not in the green zone
It fails a professional inspection
Final Tip:
Keep a maintenance record or tag on each extinguisher. Being proactive ensures your 1kg to 9kg extinguishers are ready when it counts — because a non-functional extinguisher is no better than having none at all.
