When, How, and Why to Test and Recharge Fire Extinguishers

Fire ExtinguisherOne of the most important pieces of equipment at any business is one that is never used, at least if everything goes right.

In most workspaces, fire extinguishers are something that are always there waiting for the moment that hopefully never comes. But when you need to use it, you want to make sure your fire extinguisher is fully charged, unexpired, and ready to be put to use.

Checking Your Fire Extinguishers

Most fire extinguishers found in office or warehouse settings contain compressed chemical flame suppressants that can easily put out most ordinary workplace fires, as long as they are not too big or out of control.

But the pressure holding these chemicals in place can slowly dissipate over time. That’s why most fire extinguishers are inspected and have an expiration date. This is usually the latest possible date that the fire extinguisher can be used with confidence that the chemicals will spray out as designed.

Using an expired fire extinguisher can be disappointing, to say the least. If the pressurization is lost, when you pull the trigger you likely will get a dribble rather than a spray … if you get anything at all.

Fire Extinguisher Inspections

As a result, fire extinguishers need to be inspected according to a regular schedule. Those that are approaching their expiration date need to be either replaced or recharged.

Because the equipment used to recharge fire extinguishers can be costly, many businesses use a service that provides them with a fresh supply of newly charged fire extinguishers on a regular basis. Fire extinguisher companies also can handle the inspection and replacement process. Usually, they will come to your business according to a regular schedule, such as monthly or quarterly.

But companies that have a lot of fire extinguishers or use the equipment in multiple locations might consider investing in a recharging unit. This includes an agent, an air compressor, and a basic understanding of how to recharge fire extinguishers.

Checking the Pressure Gauge

Just because a fire extinguisher has a tag that says it isn’t expired, that’s no guarantee that it’s going to work when you need it. Regardless of whether you maintain your own fire extinguishers or hire a fire extinguisher service to do it for you, it’s a good idea to train your employees to know how to read its pressure gauge.

Generally, when the needle on the gauge is in the green, the fire extinguisher has enough pressure to work properly. But if the needle is in the red area, it may not work when you need it.