A fire extinguisher is one of the most important safety devices any home can have. Nevertheless, the average person seems to have no clue about how and when they need to be serviced. That said, the following is a closer look at the shelf life of fire extinguishers.
Understanding Fire Extinguisher Lifespan
Fire extinguishers are essential to fire safety in any building or facility. However, like any other equipment, they have a limited lifespan and require regular maintenance to ensure they function properly in an emergency. The lifespan of a fire extinguisher depends on various factors, including the type of extinguisher, manufacturer, and usage.
Most fire extinguishers have a lifespan of 5 to 15 years, depending on the type and manufacturer. For example, rechargeable fire extinguishers can last up to 20 years with proper maintenance, while non-rechargeable fire extinguishers typically have a shorter lifespan. It's essential to check the manufacturer's label or a stamp on the extinguisher's body to determine the expiration date or the date of manufacture. By understanding these details, you can ensure your fire extinguisher is always ready to function properly when needed.
Rechargeable Fire Extinguishers
The first type of fire extinguisher is the rechargeable one. Each includes an easy-to-read gauge that shows if an extinguisher reads "Charge" or "Recharge". Most fire extinguishers last 5 to 15 years, depending on the type and manufacturer. Given that they only need to be serviced about once every decade, this is not as much of a hassle as it seems. Either way, no matter how many years you've had it, when the needle lands on the Recharge site, be sure to have it serviced at once. Furthermore, keep in mind that each of these has a 6-year warranty.
Disposable
On the flip side, disposable fire extinguishers are the most commonly used. Furthermore, maintenance on the disposable fire extinguishers is much more tedious because they must be serviced monthly. However, there is no fix for an "Empty" disposable fire extinguisher; once the contents are gone, it is time to throw the unit away and purchase a new one.
Overall, there are two ways in which your fire extinguisher can expire. On the one hand, a rechargeable extinguisher must be serviced every decade. Conversely, a disposable unit may last a decade or more but must be serviced monthly. No matter which type of extinguisher you have, the most important thing is learning to use, service, and dispose of it properly. Fire extinguishers can help save lives, but the overall task of learning to use them correctly is up to the people.
If you'd like more information on fire safety, contact the Fire Extinguisher Sales & Service team today.
How to Check if Your Fire Extinguisher is Expired
Regularly checking its expiration date is crucial to ensure your fire extinguisher is in working order. Here are some steps to follow:
- Check the Manufacturer's Label: Look for the expiration date or the date of manufacture on the label or a stamp on the extinguisher's body.
- Inspect the Pressure Gauge: Ensure the needle is within the green zone, indicating that the extinguisher is properly pressurized.
- Review the Inspection Tag: Verify that the extinguisher has been inspected and serviced regularly as indicated.
- Examine the Tamper Seal: Make sure the tamper seal is intact, which shows that the extinguisher has not been used or tampered with.
- Conduct a Physical Inspection: Check for any signs of damage, rust, or corrosion that could affect the extinguisher's performance.
By following these steps, you can ensure your fire extinguisher is always in good condition and ready to use in an emergency.
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Servicing
Regular maintenance and servicing are crucial to ensure your fire extinguisher functions properly in an emergency. Here are some tips to follow:
- Conduct Regular Inspections: Regularly check your fire extinguisher to ensure it is in working order.
- Annual Professional Servicing: Have a certified professional service your fire extinguisher annually to ensure it meets all safety standards.
- Follow the Manufacturer's Maintenance Schedule: This may include hydrostatic testing every 12 years to check the integrity of the extinguisher's cylinder.
- Keep Detailed Records: Maintain records of all maintenance and inspections to ensure compliance with fire regulations and track your fire extinguisher's condition.
By adhering to these maintenance tips, you can ensure your fire extinguisher is always ready to function properly when needed.
Disposing of Expired Fire Extinguishers
When your fire extinguisher expires or is no longer functional, it's essential to dispose of it properly. Here are some steps to follow:
- Contact Your Local Fire Department: They can guide you on how to dispose of the extinguisher.
- Discharge the Extinguisher: If the extinguisher is not empty, discharge it in a safe, open area. Then, recycle the steel shell at a community recycling center.
- Remove the Head: If the extinguisher is empty, remove the head to indicate it has been fully discharged, and then recycle the steel shell at a community recycling center.
Proper disposal of expired fire extinguishers is crucial to prevent any potential hazards and to ensure environmental safety.
Conclusion: Fire Extinguisher Expiration and Safety
Fire extinguishers are a critical component of fire safety, and it's essential to ensure they are properly maintained and serviced to function properly in an emergency. By understanding the lifespan of fire extinguishers, checking for expiration dates, and following regular maintenance and servicing schedules, you can ensure your facility is adequately equipped and protected in the event of a fire. Remember to dispose of expired fire extinguishers properly to prevent any potential hazards. Stay proactive about fire safety to protect your home and loved ones.
Fire safety is of the utmost importance in the workplace. Quickly knowing a fire is present in the building is vital to ensuring the health and safety of everyone in your office. Choosing a suitable fire alarm system can be...
A fire safety plan can be defined a formal document that contains details of the procedures that should be followed in case there is a fire. Ideally, the fire safety plan should suit the resources of a given building. A fire safety plan does not...
All residential and commercial buildings should have measures of protection in place against smoke and fire. One example of an excellent preventative measure is installing a fire sprinkler system. However, many people struggle to choose a fire...
To avoid hazardous accidents caused due to fire, your home alarm system should work fine. The key is to check the fire alarm system as per the expert recommendation to keep it functioning properly and to see if there is a need of a battery...
Never underestimate the importance of performing regular fire drills in the home, workplace, or school. Always remember that when a real fire happens, the time to react can be measured in seconds! Performing regular fire drills are essential for...
While a fire can start anywhere at any time, below is a list of the top four most common causes of fires. This information may even help you to prevent starting a fire.
1. In the United States, the most common type of fire starts in the...
Thousands of fires occur every year and sometimes they are fatal. Fires are serious whether they are major or minor. When a fire occurs, a lot of damage can take place. Read on for five simple safety tips you can follow to keep you,...
Before the Fire Starts
Preventing a grease fire is far more easy than starting one. If you are cooking with grease or oil, always maintain supervision of the liquid. Watch for warning signs like a change in smell or visible smoke vapors; Turn...
Despite the vast improvements in fire safety codes and procedures in recent decades, fires still manage to devastate homes and businesses on a regular basis. Fires cause millions of dollars of property damage and cost thousands of lives every...
When you’re working in the fast-paced atmosphere of a modern office, it’s easy to let something like fire safety slip through the cracks. After all, why would you waste time thinking about something that has such a small likelihood...
Owners of large, commercial buildings have many concerns related to general and preventative maintenance, rent, insurance, and more. One of the biggest causes of concern for owners of large buildings is possible fire damage. Without adequate...
Owners of residential buildings need to take several precautionary steps in order to ensure the safety of the residents, especially when it comes to fire safety. Fires can start quickly, and for that reason, it is important to have a...
Red and ready, or past its prime? Most of us buy a fire extinguisher with the best intentions—to be prepared for the unthinkable. But then, life gets busy, and that red canister tucked away in the corner fades away from our minds. We hope...
If you own a business, you should take the time to examine your fire prevention plans and policies that you have in place. If you do not have a commercial fire extinguisher system, or if your system is outdated, it may be time to consider buying...
It is very important to have health and safety take priority in the workplace. Most deaths and injuries from fires are the result of people not knowing the proper fire safety and exit strategies to follow. It is up to every employer to...
An automatic fire suppression system can not only control a fire in a building, but it can also extinguish fires well before the fire department can arrive on scene. It does this without the need for any human intervention. Automatic fire...
According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), there are approximately 3,350 office fires per year in the United States. The 3,350 annual office fires result in approximately 112 million in property damage to business...
Electrical fires can happen very quickly, but at times, there are some warning signs that should be heeded. Electrical fires can happen as a result of faulty wiring and by overloading circuits. Electrical fires can also happen as a...
A fire extinguisher is something that we see all the time. They’re prominently displayed in every public building, as well as most houses and apartments. In fact, we’re so used to seeing them that we don’t usually notice when one is in the...
All commercial property owners are required to undergo an annual fire safety inspection in order to assess and diminish the potential for life threatening hazards in buildings.
The best way to ensure that you pass your inspection from...
Whether you pay close attention or not, you’ve probably seen fire sprinklers in most of the commercial buildings you’ve entered. Mounted on the ceiling, they are designed to drench an area with water to put off a fire before it spreads....
Restaurants present a considerable fire risk, with open flames, hot equipment, electrical appliances, and oil all coming together in a small, hectic environment. Fire can be devastating to a business, leading to lost revenue, permanent damage...
A well functioning fire alarm system is essential to the safety of your family, employees, or tenants. Having well-functioning fire alarm system and fire protection equipment is not only common sense—it’s a legal requirement in...
Have you ever dumped water on a kitchen fire only to see the flames grow even larger? This is because water actually causes flames from oil, fat, and grease to spread and grow. Since all fires are not created equally, there are a...
You probably don’t think much about your fire extinguisher until you really need it — and that’s the worst time to discover that it no longer functions. In most commercial and public facilities, the law requires that you have yearly...
When receiving an inspection of your kitchen fire suppression system, there are a few things you should know to ensure the safety of your property, employees and yourself. The following questions can assist restaurant owners in assessing the...
We've added great new features and updated our content to bring you the most up to date information about our company. Check back often for updates.
