How Often Does A Fire Extinguisher Need to Be Inspected?

Having your fire extinguisher inspected can make the difference in whether or not you can actually use it in the event of a fire – and that’s a huge deal. We’re going to take you through how often you need to be inspecting your fire extinguisher as a business owner, as well as when a professional is required to step in.

When it comes to your business, having your fire extinguisher inspected regularly is not a step you ever want to miss. Although it may seem like the last thing on your list of priorities, you may not realize how critical this is until it’s too late.

iAuditor talks this in “Fire Extinguisher Inspection—A Safety Officer’s Guide”:

“Over 90% of fires in commercial properties are extinguished early on by members of the public using a fire extinguisher. Even a single malfunctioning fire extinguisher can put countless lives at risk. A safety officer’s job is to perform regular fire extinguisher inspections and maintain up to date records to keep buildings and tenants safe. It is critical that a safety officer knows how to efficiently perform a fire extinguisher inspection, is aware of the most common issues identified during an inspection, and knows how to respond accordingly.

Not only should you be having a professional visit your workplace to perform fire extinguisher inspections, but you should be doing them yourself as well – and this should not only occur on a regular basis, but a monthly basis at that.

Safeopedia expands on this question on their website:

“OSHA requires all employers and owners of buildings to conduct a visual inspection of all fire extinguishers at their disposal at least once per month. Monthly inspection is important as it helps ensure that the extinguisher is fully charged and operational; no obstructions are blocking the equipment; no damage has occurred to the equipment, and the device is still in its intended position.”

When it comes down to how often you should be having your fire extinguisher inspected by a professional, this is usually much less often that you should be inspecting it yourself. It is required that fire extinguishers are inspected by a professional at least once per year. And with a mobile fire and safety maintenance service such as Fire-Alert, setting up your inspection is truly as simple as making a quick phone call.

Molly Thompson of Chron.com talks more about the process in “Fire Extinguisher Inspection Tag Requirements”:

Now that you know how often your fire extinguisher needs to be inspected by a professional, check out how we can help with fire extinguisher inspections, recharges, and many other mobile services to keep you and your business safe.