FAQ

Yes. State and federal fire code requires that all business locations have their fire extinguishers inspected at least ANNUALLY by a certified company.

7.1.2.1 A trained and certified person who has undergone the instructions necessary to reliably perform maintenance and has the manufacturer’s service manual shall service the fire extinguishers not more than 1 year apart, as outlined in Section 7.3.

Yes. State and federal fire code requires that all business locations have their fire extinguishers inspected at least ANNUALLY by a certified company.

7.1.2.1 A trained and certified person who has undergone the instructions necessary to reliably perform maintenance and has the manufacturer’s service manual shall service the fire extinguishers not more than 1 year apart, as outlined in Section 7.3.

See previous answer.

Law requires that all compressed gas cylinders be serviced at specified intervals. Fire extinguishers are compressed gas cylinders. Generally, they fall under a 5,6 and 12 year service cycle. This one is very hard to be specific due to the many many different regulations.

7.3.1.2.1* Six-Year Maintenance. Every 6 years, stored-pressure fire extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test shall be emptied and subjected to the applicable maintenance procedures as detailed in the manufacturer’s service manual.

8.1.1 Pressure vessels used as fire extinguishers and specified components of fire extinguishers shall be hydrostatically tested in accordance with this chapter.

Yes and no. Yes, you can check your extinguisher monthly as required. No, you must get a certified company to inspect the extinguisher annually (we really hope you allow us).

7.1.2.1 A trained and certified person who has undergone the instructions necessary to reliably perform maintenance and has the manufacturer’s service manual shall service the fire extinguishers not more than 1 year apart, as outlined in Section 7.3.

Without getting to technical….being a compressed cylinder, and being transported in a vehicle, the D.O.T. wants to ensure that all cylinders are serviced and safe, and if they are not, they rely on companies like us to do the necessary service and repairs as outlined in the CFR 49 (another code book we have to follow).

The carbon dioxide in the extinguisher is in a liquid state and remains a liquid because of the pressure it is under, a pressure that it self-creates as it tries to turn into a gaseous state. Even if there were half of the amount of carbon dioxide in an extinguisher as there should be, it would still create the same amount of pressure in the cylinder. It is for this reason that CO2 extinguishers are checked for proper weight during the monthly inspection. Refer to the nameplate label for proper fill weight.

As the extreme temperature months of summer and winter come upon us, Buckeye receives a number of questions about “leakers” or over-pressurized extinguishers. Users will see that the pressure gauge indicator is not pointing straight up, that it is positioned in the low or high side of the green pie-shaped “charged” zone. In most cases it turns out that the extinguisher has been subjected to extremes in cold or heat during transit, storage, or mounting location. In the manufacturing process extinguishers are filled with extinguishing agent and pressurized with expellant gas at an ambient temperature of 68-70°F. The pressure gauge on the extinguisher is calibrated to show the normal charged pressure at this temperature and the pressure indicator on the gauge will be pointing straight up. As the extinguisher is exposed to extremes in temperature (hot or cold) the expellant gas will expand or contract accordingly. This will cause the pressure indicator to move left or right of center. As a visual aid the green pie-shaped area on the gauge is intended to show a charged condition for the extinguisher through the temperature range for which the extinguisher is rated  For example, a dry chemical fire extinguisher has an operable temperature range of –65° to +120°F. An extinguisher that is subjected to temperature ranges between –65° and +70°F will have the pressure indicator register between the left edge of the green pie and the upright middle position. Conversely, extinguishers exposed to temperature ranges of 70° to 120°F will have the pressure indicator register between the upright position and the far right edge of the green area. In either case, if the pressure indicator is within the green “charged” zone the extinguisher will operate as intended.

Clean up of the product is best achieved using a vacuum or wet sweep and shovel. Either method will minimize the generation of dust. Bag or drum the product for disposal. If the product has been used on a fire or has become contaminated, use personal protective equipment and containment means that are appropriate for the composition of the mixture.

Dry chemical extinguishing agents are not characteristically hazardous or listed as hazardous waste. Dispose of in accordance with state or local laws, which may be more restrictive than federal regulations. Keep in mind that if the product was used on a fire the characteristics of the waste mixture may have been altered or contaminated. Disposal of this waste may require different disposal considerations. As each situation may be different, We suggests consulting the appropriate regulatory agency for guidance on disposal.