How often do commercial fire extinguisher inspections and maintenance need to be conducted?

Fire extinguishers are the primary fire safety equipment which is the most crucial part of the fire safety plan as the first line of defense against fire safety. Therefore, their regular inspections and proper maintenance are necessary to ensure they are operable and in good condition at all times.  

As per the NFPA guidelines, commercial buildings must have an external maintenance examination conducted at least once every year. Moreover, monthly inspections and periodic hydrostatic testing must also be conducted to ensure the fire extinguishers remain well-maintained. It is best to consult with licensed experts from a reputed fire extinguisher service company to determine the regular inspection and maintenance requirements, as they may differ depending on the nature of your business. 

How often should fire extinguisher inspections and maintenance services need to be done? 

Every commercial organization must conduct a monthly visual inspection of the fire extinguishers. It can be conducted by the owner, a supervisor, or any knowledgeable employee of the commercial facility. The inspection is not necessarily needed to be performed by a certified professional if there appear to be no issues during the routine visual inspection. Commercial organizations must also maintain a log of monthly inspections with the date and name of the person who inspected the fire extinguishers, in compliance with the state and federal guidelines.  

However, as per the NFPA, a certified professional must conduct semi-annually or yearly fire extinguisher maintenance for the commercial building, depending on the type of fire extinguishers installed in the facility. In addition to monthly and annual inspections, commercial facilities also need to conduct Hydrostatic testing of the fire extinguishers every 5-10 years. 

Hydrostatic testing is conducted to determine whether the fire extinguisher is still in operable condition or needs replacement. If a fire extinguisher fails the test, it must be replaced, and if it qualifies for the test, it can be refilled and used for another 5-10 years. The hydrostatic testing must be performed by a trained and certified professional.  

Not only the fire extinguishers, the regular inspection of your building’s fire alarm system, fire extinguisher, fire sprinklers, etc., is also essential for the safety of all occupants. Therefore, scheduling regular fire extinguisher maintenanceservices from certified technicians is crucial for your property’s safety.  

If you have not conducted your fire extinguisher inspection for over 12 months, contact our team to book a fire extinguisher testing and inspection from a certified technician.