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)
