How often should a fire extinguisher be inspected?
· 2 min read
"How often does my extinguisher need to be checked?" Every servicing company hears this question. The real answer is three levels of inspection, carried out by different people.
Exact obligations depend on the country, the type of building, the activity and your insurer. What follows describes common practice; always check the local regulations that apply to your client.
1. The visual check, done regularly
This is the one the user or site manager can do themselves, often monthly or at each visit: is the unit in place, visible and accessible? Is the gauge in the green zone? Are the pin and seal intact? No dents, corrosion or leaks?
This check needs no special skills — just a simple checklist and the discipline to use it. To find a unit's next due date, use our inspection date calculator.
2. Annual maintenance, by a professional
In most regulatory systems, a portable extinguisher must be checked at least once a year by a competent person: mechanism, weight or pressure, condition of the body and parts, replacement of faulty components, and an updated service tag.
This is the core of a servicing company's work, and it's the yearly rhythm your clients expect you never to miss.
3. In-depth checks, at longer intervals
After several years, a unit needs a more thorough check: opening and internal examination, replacing the extinguishing agent, and a hydrostatic pressure test of the shell. Intervals vary with the type of unit (water, powder, CO₂…), the standard applied and the manufacturer's recommendations. Some units are withdrawn from service after a maximum lifespan.
Don't just memorise dates
With dozens of sites, three levels of inspection and different due dates for every unit, memory isn't enough. What makes the difference:
- record for each unit the date of the last intervention and the next due date;
- group visits by area instead of chasing each due date one by one;
- warn the client in advance, so site access is arranged;
- keep a written record of every inspection, ready for an insurer's or inspector's question.
That's exactly what Extinguo does: every unit has its own record, the next date is calculated automatically, and your clients get a reminder before it's due.