Whether your extinguisher has been tucked away in the garage for years or hanging on the wall at your business since forever, you might be wondering how long it’s actually good for. Do fire extinguishers even have an expiration date? Can they be too old to use? And how do you know when it’s time to replace one?
Do Fire Extinguishers Have an Expiration Date?
The short answer is yes, some do! However, not every fire extinguisher has the same expiration date or even follows the same rules. How long an extinguisher can remain in service depends on a number of factors including:
- Type of extinguisher
- Manufacturer recommendations
- Physical condition
Disposable fire extinguishers have a defined service life and need to be replaced when that limit is reached. As opposed to rechargeable, serviceable extinguishers which, with proper maintenance and testing, may remain in service for decades.
Disposable vs. Rechargeable Fire Extinguishers
One of the biggest factors in determining how long your extinguisher can last is whether it’s disposable or rechargeable.
Disposable extinguishers are designed to be recycled & replaced rather than refilled after use. These extinguishers are usually small in size and white or red, often bought at big box stores. The units are each labeled indicating their life expectancy; however, if they no longer show a charge or have been recalled they should not be considered reliable even if they are still within their useable life span. Information that indicates your extinguisher’s service life can be found:
- Stamped into the bottom of the shell
- Listed in the instructions label
- Labeled on the box they are sold in
- Marked at the bottom of the pressure gauge
Higher quality, commercial fire extinguishers are designed to be recharged and serviced time and time again. These extinguishers remain in service as long as they continue to meet the applicable standards.
How Do You Know If Your Fire Extinguisher Is Too Old?
Even commercial, rechargeable units can become too old to be trustworthy. NFPA10, the standard that governs fire extinguishers, has established a date range for each kind of extinguisher beyond which they are not to be trusted.
Manufacturers dates can be found in various places on an extinguisher; most commonly the date is stamped on the bottom of the shell and/or printed within the direction label. Some specialty extinguishers may have a stamped date code which may require a professionals help to decipher.
Just because an extinguisher is old does NOT mean it’s no good!
There are a number of factors in making that determination, age is just one which is why reaching out to a professional for assistance is always recommended. They have the know-how and the tools to ensure that the extinguisher you have is up to snuff!
Why Regular Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Matters
Over time, the various components inside an extinguisher can deteriorate, pressure can be lost, and cylinders can become damaged. With disposable units there is not much that can be done when they issued are spotted, but with serviceable units it’s a different story!
The fire extinguishers in commercial, public spaces are normally these serviceable, rechargeable types. This is because they are required to meet local and national fire code standards, comply with insurance rules, and/or company policies. In order to meet these standards these extinguishers must be checked on by trained professionals at regular intervals.
In completing these annual updates, those professionals assess each extinguisher. They look to ensure the extinguisher is charged, that labels are clear, that it’s accessible, and they also check that the extinguisher is up-to-date on its services. Each commercial fire extinguisher is required to undergo service at specific intervals; for example, the most common ABC dry chemical (stored-pressure) fire extinguishers must undergo hydrostatic testing every twelve years from their manufacture date.
While most businesses must meet these requirements, most homeowners are not required to. Even so, extinguishers that you have at home may still be able to undergo testing. If they are, it’s best that you maintain them with those services when needed. Again, making these determinations can be tricky which is why it’s always a great idea to ask a professional!
Key Takeaways
- Some fire extinguishers DO expire, but not all.
- Recycle & replace disposable units after 12 years.
- Keep rechargeable units up-to-date on their services.
- Old doesn’t necessarily mean bad when it comes to fire extinguishers.
- Contact a trained professional for help assessing your extinguishers.
Disclaimer: This blog post was created, in part, by AI.
