Fire Extinguisher Servicing
Under various pieces of fire and health & safety legislation, all employers are required to provide adequate means of fighting a fire. Once installed this equipment should be regularly maintained by a competent person. BS 5306-3:2000 is the code of practice for the maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.
This fact sheet is intended to answer some frequently asked questions regarding this standard and employers’ requirements in a straightforward, easy to understand way. For more detail we recommend purchasing and studying the standard first-hand.
Do we really need to have our extinguishers serviced?
Yes. All employers in charge of a workplace must have their fire extinguishers serviced in line with the standard. The provisions of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations [1] Regulation 6 require that,
“where it is necessary to provide extinguishing equipment to safeguard employees in the event of fire, this equipment shall be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”
How often should our extinguishers be serviced?
All portable fire extinguishers should be professionally maintained by a ‘competent person’ at least once a year. Some of our customers choose more regular service intervals like six monthly or quarterly, reasons for this include:
- There is an ongoing problem of extinguishers being tampered with.
- Poor controls. Staff, not reporting used extinguishers.
- Especially high-risk processes requiring extra security.
- Lack of manpower to perform regular checks internally.
What is a ‘competent person’?
The standard defines a competent person as;
"a person with the necessary training and experience, with access to the relevant tools, equipment and information, manuals and knowledge of any special procedures recommended by the manufacturer of the portable fi re extinguisher, to be capable of carrying out the relevant maintenance procedures of this standard”.
What does a normal service involve?
The standard lays out in great detail the exact procedures that should be followed to complete the service. These procedures vary depending on the type, make and model. They include checking all parts, gauges, strainer tubes, breather valves, safety devices and operating mechanisms to ensure they are safe and in good working order. Where possible parts are weighed and inspected both internally and externally for signs of wear or corrosion. The details of the service are recorded on a label on the extinguisher itself, and on a written report which is handed to the customer.
What is a ‘discharge test’?
The standard describes three types of service that are required: basic, extended and overhaul. All extinguishers require an extended service, though the intervals vary as the following table shows:
| Type | Basic | Extended | Overhaul |
| Water/Foam | Annual | 5 yearly | - |
| Powder | Annual | 5 yearly | - |
| Powder (sealed) | Annual | 10 yearly | - |
| CO2 | Annual | 5 yearly | 10 yearly |
An extended service includes a total controlled test discharge. This means the extinguisher is operated and carefully assessed. A thorough inspection is then undertaken, paying close attention to thread wear, internal linings, welds etc. If the extinguisher is deemed safe it is recharged and returned to service. The ‘discharge test’ fee that you see on your invoice covers the time spent by the engineer on this part of the extended service.
My invoice shows some extinguishers have been ‘service exchanged’ what is this?
Sometimes, when an extinguisher requires an extended service (see discharge test above), the engineer may decide it is more efficient and cost effective to simply replace the extinguisher for one that has already been tested and deemed safe. In this case the extinguisher will be removed, refurbished and entered in to our stock. The advantages to you are:
- It’s fast. The engineer will not have to perform lengthy tests on your premises, he simply swaps the extinguisher for a good one.
- It’s clean. Imagine the mess that can be caused from discharging a large dry powder extinguisher in your workplace. Simply swapping an extinguisher over keeps any mess well away from your premises.
- It’s cost effective. The price of the service exchange is never more than invoicing for a discharge test fee and recharge separately. Also, if your extinguisher was subsequently found to be unsafe for use and needed replacement parts, we will stand the cost, not you.
What happens if extinguishers are found to be unsafe or unserviceable?
Potentially the most serious hazard of defective extinguishers is the sudden uncontrolled release of pressure or ejection of parts. This can be caused by corrosion, wear or damage to threads of any pressure retaining part, corrosion of welds, or extensive general corrosion or severe pitting. In this case the extinguisher will be deemed ‘unsafe for use’ and marked ‘condemned’. It should be immediately removed from service and made safe.
Where an extinguisher poses no safety hazard but is unlikely to operate correctly, is obsolete or does not conform to the standard, it will be deemed ‘unfit for service’ (UFS). Permanent UFS status can be due to a split internal lining, corrosion to the extinguisher body or where the extinguisher type has been deemed obsolete (e.g. Halon or soda-acid types). These problems are irreparable and the extinguisher will be marked ‘condemned’.
What if I do not authorise the service to be completed?
When the user of the building will not authorise completion of all the required elements of the service of an extinguisher, (for example engineer cannot gain access, service exchange, test discharge or replacement components are required) some faults may remain undetected or uncorrected.
Maintenance in conformity with this standard cannot be completed in these circumstances and where possible this fact will be recorded by marking the extinguisher, ‘not maintained’ together with a note giving the reason for this assessment. The exact instructions to the user will also be recorded in a written report by the competent person under a heading ‘enforced non-compliance with the standard’. This may prove to be a fact of great significance in the event of a fire or an inspection by a fire officer.
What could we be doing ourselves to help?
Clause 4 of the standard states:
“It is recommended that regular visual inspections of all portable fire extinguishers be carried out by the user or user’s representative…”.
It suggests these inspections should be at least monthly and ideally weekly. These inspections should ensure:
- Fire extinguishers are in their correct positions and show no signs of use.
- The means of escape are clear of all obstructions.
- The fire notices are clearly visible.
What could we be doing ourselves to help?
For full details of the laws and standards relating to portable fire extinguishers please refer to the following documents:
BS EN 3; BS 5306-8; BS 5306-3:2000; BS 6643- 1; The Pressure Equipment Directive [2]; The Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendened) Regulations 1999.
‘Fire Safety - An Employers Guide’ from HSE Books is a very helpful booklet..
Download this factsheet
More help?
Call us anytime on 0800 7834 324 for more free help and advice.
There are no items in your shopping basket
To purchase goods simply select an item from our comprehensive range of Fire Safety Equipment.
Then click Buy Now to add the item to your basket. You can remove it at anytime.
"Your products made our fire training a lot quicker, easier and cheaper than I expected."
Ian Kilburn
Jarvis Maintenance
"Excellent all round, no complaints at all."
Glen Olley
Scotprime
"I am wearing two hats, one for the company and one for the schools around the country. I found your training package very useful for both roles."
Murray Sellars
Lindum Tape Supplies
