Fire extinguisher maintenance
An unmaintained extinguisher may fail to discharge when needed — or not discharge at full pressure. Monthly visual checks, annual professional service, and knowing when to decommission are the three pillars of reliable extinguisher readiness.
Service schedule summary
Monthly: visual check (gauge, pin, nozzle, body). Annually: professional service by a qualified engineer. Every 5 years: extended internal inspection. Every 10–12 years: full hydrostatic pressure test or replacement.
Monthly check
What to inspect each month
Pressure gauge in green zone
Needle sits in the green arc
Needle in red: low charge or over-pressure — service immediately
Safety pin intact
Pin present and tamper seal unbroken
Missing pin or broken seal: assume discharged — inspect or replace
Nozzle or horn undamaged
No cracks, blockages, or corrosion
Damaged or blocked: remove from service
Body condition
No visible dents, rust, or corrosion
Dented or corroded body: remove from service immediately
Label legible
Type, class, and operating instructions readable
Illegible label: replace label or extinguisher
Annual service: what it covers
A professional annual service under NFPA 10 or BS 5306-3 includes: verification of the correct extinguishing agent and fill level, inspection of the valve, hose, nozzle and discharge mechanism, check of the cylinder body and neck thread, pressure gauge verification, and updating the service label with the engineer's details and date. The engineer should issue a service record; keep this in your fire log.
In UK workplaces, annual service is a legal requirement under the RRO 2005. Non-compliance found during a fire authority inspection can result in enforcement notices. For workplace fire safety obligations more broadly, see our fire warden duties guide.
Extended service intervals
At 5 years, extinguishers require an extended service: the agent is discharged and replaced, internal components are inspected, and the cylinder is inspected for internal corrosion. At the 10–12 year mark, NFPA 10 requires a full hydrostatic pressure test — the cylinder is pressurised beyond its working pressure to verify structural integrity. If the cylinder fails this test, it must be decommissioned. CO2 extinguishers require hydrostatic testing every 5 years; water and foam every 5 years.
After any use — even partial
An extinguisher that has been partially discharged must be professionally refilled before being returned to service. Even a two-second discharge reduces pressure and may leave residual agent that blocks the valve mechanism. Never return a used extinguisher to the wall bracket without having it serviced first.
Correct type for the hazard
Maintenance ensures an extinguisher works — choosing the right type ensures it works on the fire you have. See our fire classes glossary and the extinguisher finder tool to confirm the correct type for each location. For guidance on when to use an extinguisher versus evacuating, see fight or flee.
Extinguisher maintenance FAQ
Questions about fire extinguisher inspection and service
In the UK, portable fire extinguishers in workplaces must be serviced annually by a competent person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, per BS 5306-3. In the US, NFPA 10 requires annual maintenance and a monthly visual inspection. For domestic extinguishers, NFPA 10 recommends annual professional inspection and a monthly self-check. Extinguishers also require an extended internal examination (typically every 5 years) and a full hydrostatic pressure test at intervals specified by NFPA 10 or the manufacturer.
Check the pressure gauge on the extinguisher body — the needle should sit in the green zone. A needle in the red zone (low pressure) or the over-pressure zone means the extinguisher needs professional service. Also inspect: the safety pin is intact with the tamper seal unbroken; the pull ring is not corroded; the nozzle or horn is not blocked, cracked, or damaged; and the body shows no dents, rust, or corrosion. Record the check in your fire log. Note: CO2 extinguishers do not have gauges — they must be weighed to confirm charge.
No. Fire extinguishers must be refilled and recharged by a qualified engineer using correct-specification agent and propellant. Incorrect refill can result in an extinguisher that does not discharge properly, discharges too rapidly, or whose body has been compromised. In the UK, refilling should comply with BS 5306-3. In the US, NFPA 10 specifies refilling requirements. After any use — even a partial discharge — the extinguisher must be professionally refilled before being returned to service.
Most portable fire extinguishers have a service life of 10–12 years from the date of manufacture (stamped on the body), subject to passing annual inspections and the required pressure test (hydrostatic test) at the 5 and 10 year marks. CO2 extinguishers typically have a 10-year service life. After this, they should be replaced. Water-based extinguishers may last longer if they pass hydrostatic testing. Always check the manufacturer's date and comply with NFPA 10 (US) or BS 5306 (UK) service intervals.
Extinguishers should be wall-mounted on approved brackets, with the carrying handle between 1–1.5 m (3.5–5 ft) from the floor. They must be visible and accessible — not hidden behind furniture or inside cupboards. Position them near room exits so that users can grab the extinguisher and still have a clear escape route if the fire escalates. In commercial premises, the maximum travel distance to an extinguisher is specified by local fire codes — typically 23 m (75 ft) for Class A hazards under NFPA 10.