Fire Extinguishers

[Size Nine Elm]

An odd topic, but bear with me...

In offices, fire extinguishers usually get an annual inspection and a sticker slapped on them.

For a small domestic extinguisher, they have a 5 year warranty, but a bit of googling suggests they have up to a 15 year life.

Anyone know how/where you can get them checked - and is it worth it? Probably not for one (new one is only 12 quid or so) but might need to get 3 or 4 updated, so if they can be tested for 3 or 4 quid each its worth it...

Another diverse topic for the PH massive.

[deevlash]

the fire brigade would probably do it, they could fit it in during the change of ends of their table tennis tournament.

[Berserker LM]

Kidde Thorn used to do it. Not sure if they're still around.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I bought one 9 years ago or so with a pressure guage on it and it is still in the green so I guess it should work OK...

[esselte]

deevlash said:

the fire brigade would probably do it, they could fit it in during the change of ends of their table tennis tournament.

[GreenV8S]

Our local fire extinguisher distributors will test and refill but it costs about half the cost of a new extinguisher. I'd go for one with a gauge and just check the gauge from time to time to confirm it's still holding pressure.

[Poledriver]

If the gauge is OK and the weight has not reduced it should be OK, but is a fire extinguisher the kind of thing you want to leave to chance?

[Popeyed]

Servicing requirements depend on type, generally an annual service and the pressure vessel should be hydrostatically tested every 4 years. Most are of the stored pressure type these days so check the stored pressure charge regularly. CO2 extinguishers need to be check weighed periodically to ensure the charge has not gone down, but the hydrostatic test requirement on these is, if I remember correctly 10 yearly. At the time of the hydrostatic test the extinguisher should also be discharged to check its operation. You can find the date of the last hydrostatic test on CO2 extinguishers stamped around the collar of the extinguisher body, on other types it may be stamped in the same place, or on the base, or one manufacturer, maybe Thorn or Chubb use a coloured plastic button fixed to the handle with the colour denoting year of hydrostatic test, with the table of years and colours marked on the extinguisher body.

If you have a dry powder extinguisher invert them and give then a shake every few months as the powder can compact, if you hold the extinguisher close to your ear as you shake it you should hear the powder moving about as you shake it.

These were the marine requirements so the statutory requirements in the UK for workplaces may differ slighty.

[mcflurry]

Use the expired ones at parties to cool beer
Then get a new one for £12

[Size Nine Elm]

mcflurry said:

Use the expired ones at parties to cool beer
Then get a new one for £12

Its powder, not CO2.

I don't like cloudy beer

[Size Nine Elm]

Poledriver said:

...but is a fire extinguisher the kind of thing you want to leave to chance?

Cheap fire extinguishers, work first time or your money back!

[john_p]

How do I check my Halon one in the kitchen is still working?

[youngsyr]

john_p said:

How do I check my Halon one in the kitchen is still working?

Seal lips around nozzle, discharge, wait 3 minutes. If you're dead, then it's working.

HTH.