StamparioFire extinguisher inspection requirements
NFPA 10 sets four cycles for portable extinguishers: a quick monthly inspection by the owner, annual maintenance by a qualified technician, internal maintenance every 6 years for stored-pressure dry chemical units, and hydrostatic testing every 5 or 12 years depending on the type. Your state or local fire code decides which edition applies.
The four cycles
| Cycle | Who | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Owner or staff | Quick check: in place, accessible, gauge in the green, pin and seal intact, no damage. Record the date. |
| Annual | Qualified technician | Maintenance and a new tag with month, year and who serviced it. |
| Every 6 years | Qualified technician | Internal maintenance for stored-pressure units that have a 12-year hydro test (dry chemical, halogenated agents). |
| Every 5 or 12 years | Qualified technician | Hydrostatic test: 5 years for water, foam, wet chemical (Class K) and CO2; 12 years for stored-pressure dry chemical. |
Intervals are taken from state summaries of NFPA 10. Check the edition your jurisdiction adopted before you put them in writing.
What an inspection report should list
- Customer, address, date and the technician’s license or permit number
- Every unit: location, type, size, manufacture year, service performed, result
- Last 6-year maintenance and last hydro date for each unit
- Mounting, signage, tags, pins and seals
- Deficiencies and what was done about them, and the customer’s signature
Not re-listing the same building every year
Most of the work in an annual visit is writing the unit list again. If the list is saved at the address, next year you only mark results, and the 6-year and hydro dates are already on each unit.
Common questions
Who can do the monthly inspection?
The building owner or an employee can do the monthly visual check. Annual maintenance, 6-year maintenance and hydrostatic testing need a certified or licensed technician, depending on your state.
What goes on the tag?
At minimum the month and year of service and who did it. Some states require more: Florida, for example, requires the extinguisher serial number, the servicer’s full name and permit number, the type of service and the company’s contact details.
Do I need to file inspection reports with the fire department?
Some fire departments require reports to be filed through an online portal such as The Compliance Engine. Many do not, and the tag on the extinguisher remains the main record. Ask your local fire marshal.
Sources
- Minnesota Department of Health: Portable fire extinguishers (NFPA 10 summary)
- Florida Administrative Code 69A-21.241: Service tags
- NFPA 10: Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
Codes change by edition and the authority having jurisdiction (your fire marshal, water purveyor or state agency) decides which rules apply. This page is general information, not legal advice.