Rashid Minhas
Fire extinguishers are pressurised equipment. Seals perish, powder compacts and pressure leaks away slowly, which is why regular checks are essential.
A simple maintenance schedule
| Frequency | What to do | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Visual check: location, gauge, pin, seal, physical damage | A trained member of staff |
| Annually | Full service and tag update | A qualified technician |
| Every 5 years | Discharge test or refill, depending on type | A qualified technician |
| Every 10 years | Pressure test or replacement | A qualified technician |
Warning signs
- The gauge needle is outside the green zone.
- The pin is missing or the tamper seal is broken.
- There is rust, a dent or a cracked hose.
- The unit has been partly used, even briefly.
Any of these means the extinguisher should be serviced or replaced before it is relied on again.
A partly discharged extinguisher can lose the rest of its pressure within days. Always recharge after any use.