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Read MoreNot sure if your fire extinguisher is still valid? This article will provide information on how long you should keep a fire extinguisher before recharging or replacing it.
How long a fire extinguisher lasts depends on the type of extinguisher you have:
You may be wondering, do fire extinguishers have a use-by date? Or, how can you tell if a fire extinguisher is old?
To find out the answers to these questions, take a look at the extended guide below.
Having a fire extinguisher in your home gives you an added feeling of protection.
But there’s only one problem – you can’t remember when you bought it. You must know the age of your fire extinguisher. After a fire extinguisher has passed its use-by date it will no longer be effective at putting out flames.
To see if your fire extinguisher is still in date, you must first check if it is rechargeable or disposable. To find out the difference between the two, take a look at the information below:
Rechargeable Fire Extinguishers | Disposable Fire Extinguishers |
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You now know whether you have a rechargeable or disposable fire extinguisher. But what difference will that make on how long your extinguisher will last?
Rechargeable fire extinguishers should be recharged every 6 years.
Disposable fire extinguishers should be replaced every 12 years.
Disposable fire extinguishers are cheaper to buy but work out more expensive in the long run. Why is that? Because the cost of refilling a rechargeable extinguisher is usually around $15. And once it’s recharged, the extinguisher will last you over a decade. But, if you have to shell out on a new extinguisher that costs you $30 or more every 6 years it will eventually add up.
Having a fire extinguisher on your property is really important. But if your fire extinguisher is not up to standard, it will not put out a fire.
Fire extinguishers don’t technically have a use-by date. The date they should be replaced by is dependent on the quality of the manufacture. It is also dependent on whether it has been refurbished and the environment it’s kept in.
So with all that said, how can you check if your fire extinguisher is still good?
Take a look at the following tips:
So, we have already discussed the need to periodically recharge or replace your fire extinguisher. And it has become quite clear that if you fail to do so, your extinguisher will not be useful in case of a fire. But, what exactly does that mean? What will happen if you try to use an expired fire extinguisher? The following sections will answer these questions:
The materials inside a fire extinguisher don’t expire over time. But what does happen is that the cylinder itself can start to lose pressure as the extinguisher gets old. This would cause the extinguisher to become depressurized. The lack of pressure will render it powerless when you come to squeeze the handle.
You should replace or refill your extinguisher periodically. This will ensure that the pressure in the cylinder will be powerful enough to put out flames.
If your fire extinguisher is close to expiring, you will be able to tell by looking out for signs of wear and tear.
Not sure what to look for? Then take a look at the following signs of wear and tear below:
If your fire extinguisher displays any of these signs, do not attempt to repair it yourself. It should be taken to your local fire protection professionals. If the extinguisher is beyond repair it should be replaced. Make sure you properly dispose of an extinguisher that can no longer be used.
A fire extinguisher can also be rendered obsolete if it was made by a company that has gone out of business. If the extinguisher can no longer be serviced following the guidelines in the maintenance manual, it should be disposed of.
What can you do if you have any doubts about the manufacturers of your fire extinguisher? Get into contact with a local fire protection professional. They will have the most up to date list of fire extinguisher manufacturers in your area. They will be able to tell you whether it is still safe for you to continue using your extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers don’t come with an expiry date.
This could make it tricky for you to know when they are coming to their end of life. I hope that this article has provided you with some tips that will help you look out for the first signs of wear and tear on your extinguisher.
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Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
Cheers,
Craig