Life of Fire Extinguishers

[DrRod]

I have a bunch of fire extinguishers that are about 12 years old. The gauges still show green but is that reliable? Are they still good?

Thanks

 

[s219]

Technically, if they are past the date stamped on the extinguisher, they should not be considered reliable. Look for the date.

 

[jaotguy]

depends on the type ....

some just need to be turned upside down and shaken to loosen up the contents .... others are water based .... others are CO2 and are really good for life (unless you discharge them)

any pressurized units up here have to be re-certified every 5 years if in a commercial environment ....

 

[George2615]

We have about 50 at work. They are all visually inspected monthly and tested every 6 years by an extinguisher company. The smaller types used in homes are usually not serviceable and if over 10 years old (which yours are) they may or may not be reliable. Any extinguisher company will take them for disposal. Best to go buy a few new ones for safety.
I have 5 at home and replace them every ten years.

 

[ultrarunner]

It is less expensive/more convenient for me to replace when the 12 year hydro test is required...

I've given a lot of the old extinguishers to friends and family and placed them around the ranch...

Here is the reg I am subject to:


Portable fire extinguishers shall be subjected to an annual maintenance check. Stored pressure extinguishers do not require an internal examination. The employer shall record the annual maintenance date and retain this record for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less. The record shall be available to the Chief upon request.

Stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test shall be emptied and subjected to applicable maintenance procedures every 6 years. Dry chemical extinguishers having non-refillable disposable containers are exempt from this requirement. When recharging or hydrostatic testing is performed, the 6-year requirement begins from that date.

Alternate equivalent protection shall be provided when portable fire extinguishers are removed from service for maintenance and recharging.

California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 6151. Portable Fire Extinguishers.

 

[DrRod]

Technically, if they are past the date stamped on the extinguisher, they should not be considered reliable. Look for the date.

Hmmm - I looked all over the one in my garage and couldn't find a date. Have to admit that that one is even older and given the layer of dirt and grime on the top it is most likely considerably older than the others. Got it in a mixed box at a farm auction so its heritage is certainly in question. The others I got when my employer moved in 2003. They at least look better but at 12 years old wouldn't hurt to replace as advised.

 

[gwiley]

We had a power line come down along the road in front of our house and light a few hundred feet of roadside on fire during a windy day. We are in a very rural setting with no access to a dry hydrant so the fire dept. brings a foam truck. Since it takes them 20-30 minutes to respond my brother was fighting the fire using fire extinguishers from all the houses on the road. Many of them simply failed to work! It was a very close call - things almost got out of control.

I think it makes sense to simply replace the fire extinguishers every 10 years or so (even every 5) when you consider what you rely on them for. It is also good to use them to train kids and others who might need to rely on them.

 

[DrRod]

Have to agree. Its an easy thing to ignore or forget about but its cheap insurance. Especially when you are far from help. You have motivated me to just go out and replace them. Thanks.

 

[ultrarunner]

We service our dry chemical extinguisher every year by emptying the contents, shifting, refilling and pressurizing...

As mentioned... when it comes time for hydro and there should be date stamped in the bottom... it is more convenient to simply replace.

So far none of the out of date units have failed so I just bring them home... maybe having 3 together isn't such a bad idea.

The CO2 is a different story... as long as there has been no leakage... should last forever...

 

[dirt ditch]

Yesterday, during our biannual equipment safety class, the instructor told us that the small onetime use extinguishers have a 12 year life. The date of manufacture is stamped or molded into the base of the extinguisher. The instructor also said that the onetime use dry chemical extinguishers need to be turned upside down and taped on to keep the powder from packing tight, that could cause a malfunction. Where I work, if the extinguisher is rechargeable then it is inspected once a year and pressure tested every 5 years by a fire extinguisher service company.