How Long Do Fire Extinguishers Last?

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

How Long Do Fire Extinguishers Last? 

Since early childhood, we have all seen and recognize the bright red fire extinguisher. Yours may be sitting either in your kitchen, closet, garage, a cabinet, or your company's office building. Once you own a fire extinguisher, you really never give it a second thought. However, that fire extinguisher can end up saving your life, your home, or your business. You need to make sure it is working correctly from the moment you purchase it until you have to use it. Here are a few signs you can use to look out for to gauge the lifespan of your fire extinguisher: 

Disposable Home Fire Extinguishers

Disposable home fire extinguishers found in most big box stores typically last up to 12 years. You are probably wondering, how am I able to check the shelf life of my fire extinguisher? When you purchase the fire extinguisher, check out the aluminum cylinder or nameplate for the manufacturer's operating instructions and dates. You can use this to figure out how long your fire extinguisher should last with proper care. If your fire extinguisher has a gauge, you should check it every month; it needs to be charged for your fire extinguisher to work. 

Commercial Fire Extinguishers

Commercial portable fire extinguishers are a bit different. These fire extinguishers can last forever with the right kind of maintenance. If you own one, have it internally inspected every six years. Every other inspection should hydrostatically test your fire extinguisher. This tests the shell of your fire extinguisher by exposing it to higher pressures. If the cylinder passes the test, then your extinguisher is suitable for several more years. A licensed fire protection specialist should inspect your commercial fire extinguisher, per the NFPA.

Maintenance

Typically, fire extinguishers have to be fixed or replaced for a couple of reasons. Each extinguisher has a seal around its handle that can break down over time or fall apart. When this occurs, the compressed air releases and lowers the pressure inside your extinguisher. As a result, your fire extinguisher will not work, and you will need to replace it with a new one. If your fire extinguisher hose is cracked or blocked, you also need a repair it.

Whether you have fire or smoke damage or used a fire extinguisher in your home, SERVPRO of South Greenville County is ready to make it "Like it never even happened." Once the heroic first responders have completed their efforts, let us help you pick up the pieces and get your life back on track. Call us today 864-292-3137!