Do Fire Extinguishers Expire?

Fire extinguishers don’t “expire,” but some do need periodic recharging and testing. Sealed extinguishers that are intended to be disposable after use do not require regular testing as long as the charging indicator dial indicates it is sufficiently charged, however; most fire professionals recommend replacement of those disposable extinguishers after about 7 years of service as a preventive measure. A disposable fire extinguisher has a plastic head, and a gauge that reads Full / Empty.

For commercial style extinguishers that are designed to be refilled and recharged, OSHA requires them to be hydrostatically tested every 5-12 years by a company qualified to safely conduct such pressure testing. A rechargeable fire extinguisher has a metal head, and a gauge that reads Charge / Recharge.

Regardless of whether the extinguisher is disposable or reuseable, OSHA standards require all fire extinguishers to be "inspected" annually by someone trained to do that inspection. Most practices have those annual inspections completed by a safety company or the local fire department. The inspector typically places an inspection tag on the extinguisher with the month and year of the inspection as a record. If those tags are not used, the business must maintain proof of the inspections in some other manner for at least a year past the inspection date.

In addition to those annual inspections, OSHA also expects the business to check each fire extinguisher on a monthly basis for leakage, damage, corrosion or other damage. The monthly check is very simple and usually performed by a staff member. This monthly check requirement is also designed to ensure the extinguisher hasn’t been removed from the designated location for any reason. Although not required by the regulation, we recommend a monthly checklist as both a reminder and a record of the checks. Another good way to remember those checks is to use the reminder feature on the practice’s veterinary software system: set up a reminder code for fire extinguisher checks with a monthly frequency.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

There are many types of fire extinguishers; the most common is the pressurized dry chemical style. Other types include carbon dioxide and wet chemical. The carbon dioxide extinguishers are very common in areas with electronics and computers since the dry chemical powder is corrosive to printed circuit boards. Wet chemical extinguishers are generally used on chemical fires where sustained oxygen deprivation is required. Fire extinguishers are rated to suppress certain kinds of fires:

Class A is for general materials such as wood, paper and trash,
Class B is for chemical fires,
Class C is for electrical fires, and
Class D is for flammable metals.

The most common extinguishers are multi-rated and are of the pressurized, dry chemical type. Older, soda acid or self-generating foam or gas cartridge type extinguishers are no longer allowed and must be removed from service.

The location of fire extinguishers will depend on the layout of the facility, but there are two basic premises when selecting locations:

there must be a portable fire extinguisher within 75 feet of any location in the building, and
it’s best to have the extinguishers located near exits. It’s best for a person to go toward the exit to get the extinguisher rather than further into the building where the fire may cut off egress.

For specific recommendations on fire extinguisher placement, contact the local fire department or a safety consultant.

When it comes to sprinklers, they are a great investment and usually pay for themselves in just a few years in the form of insurance savings. Many municipal building or fire codes do require automatic sprinkler systems in commercial buildings, but OSHA does not require them in most businesses such as veterinary hospitals.

Did You Know...?

There are four steps to operating a fire extinguisher. The acronym PASS is a good way to remember:

PULL... Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal.
AIM... Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire.
SQUEEZE... Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
SWEEP... Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out.

To watch a video of putting out a small fire emphasizing the PASS principle, check out this video from the Bend, Oregon Fire Department:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99iBTBM0bbI&ab_channel=CityofBendOregon