How often should fire extinguishers checked is an important question for any business. Businesses of all types and sizes should have fire extinguishers on-site in the event of a fire. Understanding how often fire extinguishers checked is essential for maintaining workplace safety and meeting UK fire safety regulations.
They can be used to put out small fires before they spread and help prevent serious injuries or even death. However, fire extinguishers are only effective if they are properly maintained and regularly inspected as part of a fire extinguisher maintenance schedule.
Legal Requirements for Fire Extinguisher Inspection in the UK
For workplaces, public buildings, and even homes of multiple occupation (HMOs), it’s a legal requirement that all fire extinguishers are serviced annually. Although you can check your fire extinguishers yourself, it’s always best to have a professional check them to ensure they are in good condition and up to date. A professional will also be able to tell you if any need replacing.
Understanding how often should fire extinguishers checked helps businesses stay compliant with UK fire safety regulations. Knowing how often fire extinguishers checked is part of meeting these legal requirements and ensuring workplace compliance. If you don’t check your fire extinguishers, a lot can go wrong.
As well as in-depth annual checks, the law requires that all fire extinguishers be visually checked monthly. If you don’t check them monthly, you could be subject to a fine. If you have a fire in the workplace and your fire extinguisher doesn’t work, you could be held liable.
How Long Do Fire Extinguishers Last?
The regulations about fire extinguishers recommend they are replaced or given an extensive service once every five years. For CO2 fire extinguishers, it’s recommended they are replaced every 10 years. However, they need to be maintained more frequently than that. It’s recommended that fire extinguishers of all kinds are subject to monthly visual inspections and more thorough annual inspections. This also helps businesses understand how often should fire extinguisher checked as part of long-term maintenance planning.
How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Checked Monthly?
Monthly fire extinguisher checks are simple visual inspections that play a key role in understanding how often fire extinguishers checked in a workplace environment. A quick, visual fire-extinguisher check once a month ensures there won’t be any issues in the case of an emergency. Simply take a few minutes to look at each extinguisher in your building to ensure they are in good working order. These checks are a key part of understanding how often should fire extinguishers checked in a workplace.
You should check the gauge to ensure it’s full, then the pressure release valve to make sure it is not damaged and the nozzle to ensure it’s not obstructed. By conducting these regular visual checks, you ensure your business is always prepared in case of a fire. If you notice any problems, contact a qualified technician for further advice.
With regular checks, you can be confident that your fire extinguisher will be there when you need it most. As well as the gauge, nozzle and pressure release valve, ensure the following:
- There are no signs of leakage or damage.
- Pick the fire extinguisher up and check the weight if it feels too light, it may not be full.
- Check the area around the fire extinguisher if it’s obstructed by anything, consider relocation or removing the obstruction.
- Ensure that service tags are present and legible.
- The handle on the fire extinguisher is secure and not wobbly/loose.
Remember to make a record of your monthly checks. This will make your annual checks much faster and easier.
Annual Fire Extinguisher Inspections
An annual fire extinguisher inspection is a legal requirement in the UK and forms a key part of how often fire extinguishers checked as part of a compliant fire safety plan. This is known as a “basic service”. All businesses must have their fire extinguishers checked and tagged by a qualified engineer, and the date of the last check must be displayed. The inspection should include a check of the extinguisher’s pressure, weight, integrity and expiration date.
Additionally, the engineer should check the extinguisher is properly mounted and accessible. If any problems are found, the extinguisher should be repaired or replaced immediately. By conducting regular inspections, businesses can ensure their fire extinguishers are always in good working condition.
The person carrying out the annual inspections should be BAFE registered. They will change the seal on the headcap, ensure the headcap safety pin is working, test the pressure gauge and may have to change the O-rings in the valve, hose or horn of the extinguisher. Once the work has been completed, they will fill out the maintenance label and attach it to the fire extinguisher. It is a legal requirement to record all manual and annual inspections of your fire extinguishers.
The Extended Service
For water, foam and wet chemical fire extinguishers, extended servicing needs to be carried out every five years by a trained technician. This check is extremely detailed and goes through all the annual checks in a lot more depth. The extinguisher will then be discharged, and the inspector will check the distance, pattern and duration of the discharge.
The fire extinguisher valves will then be checked and replaced as needed. Corrosion will also be looked at, with particular attention paid to the lining and headcap O-ring. The entire headcap may be replaced before the extinguisher is refilled and pressurised.
CO2 Fire Extinguisher Checks
CO2 fire extinguishers are a bit different. They’re classed as high-pressure vessels, as they have a much higher pressure than the other types of extinguishers. As such, they are subject to a few different regulations, and their servicing is a little different too. Every 10 years, CO2 extinguishers need an extended service, often referred to as an overhaul.
During these 10-year inspections, the primary valve will be replaced, and the extinguisher’s body will be pressure tested. While monthly and annual checks and servicing can be carried out on-site, the 10-year extended servicing of CO2 extinguishers requires they be sent to an approved testing centre.
Older Fire Extinguishers
Of course, if you’ve had a fire extinguisher on-site for 10 years, it may be more cost-effective to simply replace older extinguishers with new ones. Certainly, if you’ve got fire extinguishers older than 20 years, replace them even if they seem fine and pass inspections. Replacement parts may not be available, and even manufacturing standards can change over time. To leave an older fire extinguisher in place is a risk that harms your overall fire-safety plan.
Make Your Workplace Safer
All fire extinguishers should be checked monthly, annually, and every 10 years to ensure they work properly and meet safety standards. Knowing how often should fire extinguishers checked helps businesses stay compliant and prepared for emergencies. If you have questions about your company’s fire-extinguisher maintenance schedule, get in touch with us today.
Our team of experts will help you keep your workplace safe and compliant with all the latest regulations. We even offer a FREE site survey, so you can ensure your workplace is as safe as it can be.
FAQs
Q1: How often should fire extinguishers checked in the UK?
Fire extinguishers should be visually checked monthly and professionally serviced annually to meet UK fire safety regulations.
Q2: Why is it important to know how often fire extinguishers checked?
Knowing how often fire extinguishers checked helps ensure compliance, reduces risk, and ensures equipment works properly during emergencies.
Q3: Who can carry out fire extinguisher inspections?
Fire extinguisher inspections should be carried out by trained and qualified professionals to ensure safety and compliance.
Q: How often should fire extinguishers checked in a workplace?
Fire extinguishers should be visually checked every month and professionally serviced annually. Knowing how often should fire extinguishers checked helps ensure compliance with UK fire safety regulations and keeps your workplace protected.