What OSHA Standard Requires Annual Maintenance Checks Of Portable Fire Extinguishers?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Employers need to perform a full maintenance check on their workplace’s portable fire extinguishers once per year, according to

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157

(e)(3). “Maintenance” means a thorough examination and repair, as needed, of all your facility’s portable fire extinguishers, as covered in NFPA 10(98), Sec. 4-4.

What is the NFPA Standard for Portable fire extinguishers?


NFPA 10

: Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.

What is the standard for inspection testing and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers?

4.1 and MSFC(15), Sec. 906.2 require that portable fire extinguishers be inspected and maintained in accordance with

NFPA 10

, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.

How often should fire extinguishers be inspected and recharged?


Every 30 days

: All types of fire extinguishers should be inspected. Every 1 year: All types of fire extinguishers should receive maintenance, and water (stored pressure) extinguishers require a recharge. Every 3 years: AFFF and FFFP (liquid charge type) extinguishers require recharging.

What is the legal requirement to the inspection and servicing of fire extinguishers?


Every 12 months

, you must have your fire extinguishers serviced, referred to as a “basic service”. This service should be carried out in accordance with the BS 5036-3 standard and should be conducted by a third party, accredited fire extinguisher technician, with the correct tools, training and experience.

How often does OSHA require fire extinguishers inspected?

The employer shall assure that carbon dioxide extinguishers and nitrogen or carbon dioxide cylinders used with wheeled extinguishers are tested

every 5 years at 5/3 of the service pressure

as stamped into the cylinder.

Is it a legal requirement to have fire extinguishers checked?

For businesses, organisations, public buildings and HMOs,

it is a legal requirement to ensure all fire extinguishers are serviced every year

. Not only will avoiding this annual service leave your people, premises and property at risk, but you will also be liable for a large fine.

What is the OSHA standard for fire extinguishers?

NFPA recommends one 2-A fire extinguisher for every 3,000 square feet. OSHA requires employees

to have access to an extinguisher within 75 feet

. Employees should have access to a fire extinguisher within either 30 or 50 feet, depending on the hazard in question and the rating of the extinguisher (see below).

What are the different types of portable fire extinguishers?

What Are the Types of Portable Fire Extinguisher? Different types of fire extinguishers are designed to fight different types of fire. The three most common types of fire extinguishers are

air-pressurized water, carbon dioxide (CO

2

), and dry chemical

.

What is a correct use for a portable fire extinguisher?

Remember, if you feel that you cannot safely extinguish the fire using the portable extinguisher available and if you have not already done so, pull the fire alarm, evacuate the area, and then call the fire department. When using an extinguisher, use

the PASS system – Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

.

Is it worth recharging fire extinguishers?

Fire extinguishers

need to be recharged periodically throughout their life

, even if they haven’t been used. … For the most commonly used stored pressure dry chemical fire extinguishers, this internal examination and recharging is required at six and twelve years from the date of manufacture noted on the extinguisher.

What can you do with old fire extinguishers?

For fully or partially charged fire extinguishers, call your local fire department and ask if you can drop off expired fire extinguishers at the firehouse. If they don’t accept old canisters,

take your extinguishers to a hazardous waste disposal facility

.

How often do fire extinguishers need to be replaced?

Even in pristine condition, a fire extinguisher should be replaced

every 12 years

and may need to be recharged after 6. Anyone who lights candles, cooks often or just has matches in the house can benefit from a nearby fire extinguisher. But they are absolute must-haves in certain situations.

What is the legal requirement for fire risk assessments?

A Fire Risk Assessment is a legal requirement. If you are responsible for a building, for example a employer, owner or occupier of premises that aren’t a ‘single private dwelling’ (a private home), you need to make sure

a suitably competent person completes

a Fire Risk Assessment.

What are the 5 main components of a fire risk assessment?

  • Step 1 – Identify people at risk. …
  • Step 2 – Identify fire hazards. …
  • Step 3 – Evaluate the risk. …
  • Step 4 – Record your findings.

Is BAFE a legal requirement?

Do I have to be BAFE Registered? No – BAFE Registration/Third Party

Certification to a BAFE Scheme is currently not a legal requirement

. Registering your company with BAFE is completely voluntary.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.