The short version: every portable fire extinguisher needs a quick monthly check by someone on site and a full inspection by a qualified technician once a year. Dry chemical units also need a 6-year service and a 12-year hydrostatic test. Water, CO2 and kitchen (Class K) units are pressure tested every 5 years.
If you run a business in the Fraser Valley, your fire extinguishers are one of the first things a fire inspector or insurer looks at. The good news: the schedule is simple once you know the four pieces.
The four checks, side by side
| Check | How often | Who does it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly visual check | Every month | You or your staff | Gauge in the green, pin and seal on, nothing blocking it, no damage |
| Annual inspection | Once a year | A qualified technician | Full inspection, weight, hose and nozzle, new signed and dated tag |
| 6-year maintenance | Every 6 years (dry chemical) | A qualified technician | Unit is emptied, inspected inside, recharged |
| Hydrostatic test | Every 12 years (dry chemical), every 5 years (water, CO2, Class K) | A qualified technician | The cylinder is pressure tested to make sure it's still safe |
The monthly check takes two minutes
You don't need us for this one. Once a month, walk past each extinguisher and look at:
- The gauge. The needle should be in the green.
- The pin and seal. Both should be in place. A missing seal can mean someone used it.
- Access. Nothing stacked in front of it, and it's still on its bracket where people can see it.
- Damage. No dents, rust or a cracked hose.
Many businesses initial a small card on the tag or keep a simple log. If the inspector asks, you can show it's being done.
The annual inspection
Once a year a technician inspects every unit, checks it's the right type for the space, and signs and dates the tag. At Fire-Alert we also log each extinguisher by location, so your report shows exactly where every unit is and when its next service is due.
If anything fails, like a low gauge, a missing pin or a broken bracket, we fix it on the same visit wherever we can.
The 6-year service and the hydro test
These are counted from the year the extinguisher was made, which is on the label or stamped on the cylinder. Most businesses don't track these dates themselves, and that's fine: they're on your inspection report, and we flag them a year ahead.
For small extinguishers at their 6-year or 12-year mark, replacing the unit can cost less than servicing it. We'll tell you which makes more sense for each one.
How to never miss a date
- Keep your last inspection report somewhere you can find it.
- Do the monthly checks (set a phone reminder for the first of the month).
- Book your annual a few weeks before it's due, not after.
Not sure when yours was last done? Use our free Is my building due? checker, or book an inspection and we'll sort out every date for you.