Blog Layout

How Often Should I Have My Fire Extinguisher Inspected?

NFPA Guidelines on Fire Inspection Intervals

Fire Extinguisher Inspection/Internal Examination and Maintenance Intervals According to NFPA 10

Regular fire extinguisher inspection is important. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) is the primary body responsible for codes & standards relating to fire protection in the USA. Like many other standards south of the border, the recommendations and practices of the NFPA heavily influence Canadian policy. Many times they carry codes right over. Below is a helpful list of required maintenance intervals for fire extinguishers.

Most people are aware that fire extinguishers need to be inspected by a professional annually. However, newer regulations are requiring visual inspections by personnel within the workplace. Make sure you’re the most up to date with the requirements in your city of operation.

If your current service provider isn’t meeting your needs, give us a call or get a free estimate on our site. We’ll have you Totally Covered.

Type of Fire Extinguisher	Service Interval (Years)
Stored-pressure loaded-stream and antifreeze	1
Pump tank water and pump tank calcium chloride based*	1*
Dry chemical, cartridge and cylinder-operated with mild steel shells	1*
Dry Powder, Cartridge and cylinder-operated with mild steel shells	1
Wetting agent	1
Stored-pressure water	5
AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam)	**
FFFP (Film-Forming Fluor Protein Foam)	**
Stored-pressure dry chemical, with stainless steel shells	5
Carbon dioxide	5
Wet Chemical	5
Dry chemical stored-pressure, with mild steel shells, brazed brass shells, and aluminum shells	6
Halogenated agents	6
Dry powder, stored-pressure, with mild steel shells	6

* Dry Chemical in cylinder-operated extinguishers is examined annually.

** The extinguishers agent in liquid charge-type AFFF and FFFP extinguishers is replaced every three years and internal examination (teardown) is normally conducted at that time. The agent is solid charge type AFFF extinguishers is replaced every 5 years during the periodic hydrostatic test and teardown is done at that time.New Paragraph

NFPA 10 - Full Text

< Older Post Newer Post >

The Fire Protection Blog

Myth #5 –“If you want your home fire sprinklers to be reliable, they will need frequent, expensive maintenance.”

19 Jul, 2019

FACT: The standard design for home fire sprinklers is much simpler than the design for more traditional sprinklers like the ones used in commercial buildings. If you install home fire sprinklers, the only “inspection and maintenance” you will need is to (a) walk around your home and make sure the sprinklers are not obstructed by something that would block the water coming out, and (b) avoid turning off the main control valve, which you don’t normally operate anyway.