Fire Extinguisher Inspections

Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) is required as per:

    •    California Laws and Regulation for Fire Extinguishers. 

    •    NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.

Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Intervals:

    •    Monthly Inspections (Can be performed by building owner/occupant)
    •    Annual Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (Must be performed by certified Fire Protection Specialist)

During our scheduled ITM, Fire King’s Technicians will perform a thorough Inspection of your fire extinguisher(s) as per governing codes and regulations.

• There is a valid maintenance tag completed with the date of the day of service.
• The extinguisher is charged and ready for use
• The extinguisher is not obscured from view and is clearly visible
• The tamper seal is intact
• The nameplate is visible
• The extinguisher is full
• There are no signs of physical damage or corrosion    

In addition to the monthly inspection and yearly maintenance examination, the following are also required:

• 6-Year Internal Maintenance: Every 6-years, fire extinguishers which require a 12-year hydrostatic test must be emptied and given an internal and external examination.
• 12-Year Hydrostatic Testing: Every 12 years, most types of fire extinguishers are required to undergo hydrostatic testing, a process that tests the cylinder for any deformities or leaks.
• Non-rechargeable fire extinguishers: If your fire extinguishers are non-rechargeable (plastic and for one-time use only), then they require neither the 6-year or 12-year maintenance procedures. Rather, they must be removed from service and replaced with extinguishers that are of standard.  

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user (i.e., no escape route, smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or otherwise requires the expertise of a fire department. 

Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which can be discharged to extinguish a fire.

Portable fire extinguishers are intended as a first line of defense to cope with fires of limited size. They are needed even if the property is equipped with automatic sprinklers, water standpipe and hose, or other fixed protection equipment. Every facility (commercial, industrial, office, etc.) is required to have fire extinguishers regardless of any other type of fire protection provided.

Due to the various classes of fire (A, B, C, and K), it is necessary to provide the correct type of fire extinguisher for the site-specific hazard. It is also necessary for extinguishers to be positioned within the travel distance guidelines for the hazard and its potential severity. Various types of agents are used to fight specific types of fires. These include Water, Dry Chemical, CO2, Purple K, Metal-X, FE36, etc. Each of these carries a different rating and has different characteristics that are specific to the class of fire it is used to protect.

Fire extinguishers are hand-held pressurized units that contain an agent to fight fire – which might be a chemical, foam, or water. They are usually marked for fighting 4 different fire types, including the following:

• Type A Fire: Which is composed of such ordinary combustible materials like paper and wood
• Type B Fire: Comprised of flammable liquids like grease or gasoline
• Type C Fire: Involves such electrical equipment as circuit breakers and appliances
• Type D Fire: This includes combustible metals and chemicals, and is usually found in chemical labs and industrial facilities.

Apart from the above, there are also type K fires that involve cooking greases and oils and can easily be extinguished using a type B or a type C fire extinguisher.

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