Inspection & Maintenance
Reviewed by James Standifer, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) NFPA 10, Section 7.2.1 requires monthly visual inspections of all portable fire extinguishers, and this is the one fire safety task that building staff perform without a technician. Each unit takes 30 to 60 seconds to check. The inspection
Inspection & Maintenance
Reviewed by James Standifer, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) The PASS method — Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep — is the universal technique for operating a portable fire extinguisher, endorsed by NFPA and OSHA. Most portable units discharge completely in 15 to 30 seconds, so correct technique from the first second determines whether
Inspection & Maintenance
Reviewed by James Standifer, CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) Fire extinguisher recharging costs $15 to $60 per unit depending on type and size, and is required any time a unit is discharged (even partially) or when monthly inspections reveal pressure in the yellow or red zone. According to NFPA 10,
Inspection & Maintenance
Reviewed by a licensed fire protection engineer Fire extinguishers do not carry a printed expiration date, but they have service life limits defined by NFPA 10. A properly maintained stored-pressure extinguisher can last 12 to 15 years through its maintenance cycle: annual inspections, 6-year internal examination, and 12-
Inspection & Maintenance
Reviewed by a licensed fire protection engineer NFPA 10, Section 7.3.1 requires every fire extinguisher to receive a professional inspection by a certified technician once per year. A proper inspection takes 2 to 3 minutes per unit and includes a calibrated pressure check, exterior examination, hose and nozzle
Inspection & Maintenance
Reviewed by a licensed fire protection engineer Every stored-pressure fire extinguisher requires an internal examination every 6 years per NFPA 10, Section 7.3.3. This is not a visual inspection — it is a complete teardown. The technician disassembles the unit, inspects all internal components, replaces seals and valve
Inspection & Maintenance
Reviewed by a licensed fire protection engineer Every 12 years, rechargeable fire extinguishers with metal cylinders must pass a hydrostatic pressure test per NFPA 10, Section 8.3. The cylinder is pressurized to its test specification — typically 500 PSI for standard ABC units — and checked for leaks, bulging, or deformation.