Advanced Hood Cleaning and Fire Suppression Services, Inc.

Maintenance

INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, TESTING, AND RECHARGING PERIODS FOR PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGISHERS

The following information to serve as a timetable for any inspection, maintenance, recharging, and testing of portable fire extinguishers. All of the following information and paragraph numbers can be found in the 2002 edition of the National Fire Protection Association, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, NFPA-10.

Extinguisher

Type

Inspection*

Maintenance **

Recharging ***

Hydrostatic Testing*

Dry Chemical

(Stored pressure)

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

Empty and internally inspect @

6 Years

(6.3.3 & 6.4.3.4)

12 years

(Table 7.2)

Carbon Dioxide

30 Days

(6.2.1)

Maintenance and “ensure conductivity exists” @ 1 Year

(6.3.1.2, 6.3.1)

5 Years

(6.4.1.1, 6.4.3.9, & 6.4.5.1)

5 years

(Table 7.2)

Water

(Stored pressure)

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

1 Year

(6.4.2.1 & 6.4.3.10)

5 years

(Table 7.2)

Dry Chemical

(Stainless Steel)

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

5 Years

(6.4.3.4)

5 years

(Table 7.2)

Dry Chemical

(Cartridge)

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

Empty and internally inspect @

6 Years

(6.3.3, 6.4.3.4)

12 years

(Table 7.2)

Wet Chemical

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

5 Years

(6.4.3.11)

5 years

(Table 7.2)

AFFF

(Liquid charge type)

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

3 Years

(6.4.2.3)

5 years

(Table 7.2)

FFFP

(Liquid charge type)

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

3 Years

(6.4.2.3)

5 years

(Table 7.2)

Dry Powder

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

Empty and internally inspect @

6 Years

(6.3.3, 6.4.3.4)

12 years

(Table 7.2)

Halogenated

(Halon)

30 Days

(6.2.1)

1 Year

(6.3.1)

Empty and internally inspect @

6 Years

(6.3.3, 6.4.3.4)

12 years

(Table 7.2)

 

* The time periods indicated in the above table are to be viewed as the maximum period for each activity.

** For maintenance procedures see NFPA-10 and Annex I of NFPA-10.

*** Recharging is also required to take place after every use and if the need is identified during maintenance or inspection.

Periodic inspection of fire extinguishers shall include a check of at least the following items (NFPA-10-6.2.2):

          1. Location in designated place.

          2. No obstructions to access or visibility.

          3. Operating instructions on nameplate legible and facing outward.

          4. Safety seals and tamper indicators not broken or missing.

          5. Fullness determined by weighing or “hefting.”

          6. Examinations for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle.

          7. Pressure gauge reading or indicator in the operable range or position.

          8. Condition of tires, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle checked (for wheel units).

          9. Label in place.

Maintenance procedures shall include a thorough examination of the basic elements of a fire extinguisher (NFPA-10-6.3.2):

          1. Mechanical parts of all fire extinguishers.

          2. Extinguishing agent of cartridge- or cylinder-operated dry chemical stored chemical, stored pressure, loaded stream, and pump tank fire extinguishers.

          3. Expelling means of all fire extinguishers.

Internal examination during annual maintenance is not required for non-rechargeable fire extinguishers, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, or stored pressure fire extinguishers, except for those types specified in 6.3.1.1, see below. These fire extinguishers are to be thoroughly examined externally in accordance with the applicable items of NFPA-10 section 6.3.2.1.

NFPA 10 section 6.3.1.1: Stored pressure types containing a loaded stream agent shall be disassembled on an annual basis and subjected to complete maintenance. Prior to assembly, the fire extinguisher shall be fully discharged to check the operation of the discharge valve and pressure gauge. The loaded stream charge shall be permitted to be recovered and re-used provided it is subjected to agent analysis in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Maintenance is to be performed by a trained person who has undergone the instructions necessary to reliably perform maintenance and has the manufacturer’s service manual. (NFPA-10-6.1.2)

Maintenance, servicing, and recharging, are to be performed by trained persons having available the appropriate servicing manual(s), the proper types of tools, recharging materials, lubricants, and manufacturer’s recommended replacement parts or parts specifically listed for use in the fire extinguishers (NFPA-10-6.1.4)

Maintenance is to be performed in full compliance with the maintenance requirements of NFPA-10.

The following types of fire extinguishers are considered obsolete and shall be removed from service: (NFPA-10-1.5.4):
1. Soda acid
2. Chemical foam (excluding film-foaming agents) 
3. Vaporizing liquid (e.g. carbon tetrachloride)
4. Cartridge-operated water
5. Cartridge-operated loaded stream
6. Copper or brass (excluding pump tanks) joined by soft solder or rivets
7. Carbon Dioxide extinguishers with metal horns
8. Solid Charge-type AFFF extinguishers (paper cartridge)

NFPA 10, 2007 edition states: 4.4.2
"
Any extinguisher that can no longer be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s maintenance manual is considered obsolete and shall be removed from service.” (This will include extinguishers where the manufacture is no longer in business). In the new 2007 Edition of NFPA 10, several types of extinguishers were added to the list of extinguishers that must be removed from service or phased-out of service. The following is an excerpt:

“4.4 Obsolete Extinguishers. The following types of fire extinguishers are considered obsolete and shall be removed from service:”

(9) Pressurized water extinguishers manufactured prior to 1971

(10) Any extinguisher that needs to be inverted to operate

(11) Any stored pressure extinguisher manufactured prior to 1955

(12) Any extinguishers with 4B, 6B, 8B, 12B, and 16B fire ratings

(13) Stored-pressure water extinguishers with fiberglass shells (pre 1976)”

Additionally,  “4.4.1 Dry chemical stored pressure extinguishers manufactured prior to October 1984 shall be removed from service.
FEMA’s supports the requirement of the new NFPA 10 standard that any stored pressure (non-cartridge operated) fire extinguisher not conforming to the UL 299 standard, manufactured prior to October of 1984, be replaced. To continue to service extinguishers that do not conform to these standards serves no purpose except to reduce extinguisher effectiveness and safety in the hands of a novice, when seconds count.

 

During the time period that fire extinguishers are removed from service for maintenance or recharge a replacement fire extinguisher suitable for the type of hazard being protected and of at least equal rating is to be provided. (NFPA-10-6.3.1.4)

2002 edition of the National Fire Protection Association

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