Fire extinguisher inspection
The periodic check of portable fire extinguishers to verify they are serviceable, correctly located, accessible and fully charged. Required under fire safety legislation as part of an employers duty to maintain firefighting equipment in working order.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“fire extinguisher inspection”Exact equivalentArticle 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure that firefighting equipment provided is subject to a suitable system of maintenance and is maintained in efficient working order and good repair. In practice this requires monthly visual checks, annual service inspections by a competent person, and five-yearly extended service or discharge testing.
Irish HSA
“fire extinguisher inspection”Close equivalentThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (Part 3, Chapter 1) and the Fire Services Acts require employers to maintain firefighting equipment in working order. IS 291 (Irish standard for fire extinguishers) specifies inspection frequencies; annual service by a competent person is required.
US OSHA
“portable fire extinguisher inspection”Close equivalentOSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(e) requires employers who provide portable fire extinguishers to inspect them monthly and to have them subjected to a maintenance check annually. Extinguishers must be hydrostatically tested at specified intervals. Records of inspections and maintenance must be kept.
Practitioner note: Monthly visual check + annual service by a competent person required. British Standard BS 5306 (GB) or Irish Standard IS 291 governs service procedures. OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.157(e).