Testing and Maintance

MAINTENANCE

The employer is responsible for the upkeep and testing of fire extinguishers at the work place.
Fire extinguishers should be:

1. In good operating condition
2. In the proper, designated location
3. Properly filled

The employer must also conduct monthly visual inspections and annual maintenance checks. Records should be kept for the annual maintenance checks.

(Ferguson & Janicak, 2005, 213-14)

For monthly visual inspections, there are a number of things you should check:

• Ensure that there is no visible signs damage to the case of the fire extinguisher (dents, rust, etc.)
• Check that the handle and lever are undamaged
• Check that hose is intact and the nozzle is unobstructed
• Check that the pin and tamper seal are intact
• Turn the extinguisher upside down and shake well to ensure that dry chemical compounds do not settle at the bottom
• Check that the pressure gauge is full

(Windsor Fire and Rescue Servies, 2013)


HYDROSTATIC TESTING

It is also good practice to test the fire extinguisher, as often as prescribed by the fire extinguisher type, in order to ensure that the extinguisher is in full working condition.
The extinguisher will also need to be tested if it has been recently damaged and repaired, if there is corrosion, if the extinguisher has been burned in a fire or if a calcium chloride extinguishing agent has been used (corrodes stainless steel).

(Ferguson & Janicak, 2005, 213-14)