How to Service Fire Extinguishers

In a fire emergency, it is vitally important to have a fully working fire extinguisher. Servicing, also known as inspecting, a fire extinguisher is a simple process that takes less than an hour and requires few supplies on your part. Complete the following steps and when an emergency strikes, feel confident that your extinguisher will be ready to be used.

Things You'll Need

• Fire extinguisher
• Bucket of water
• 2 cloths or rags
• Dish soap

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Instructions

• 1

  Lift the extinguisher up in both hands. Notice whether it is heavy or light. If it feels heavy, there is an extinguishing agent (water, foam, etc) inside. If it feels light,the extinguisher may have been used before and therefore needs to be refilled with the proper agent before it is ready to be used.

• 2

  Look carefully with your eyes to see if the safety seal or pin has been broken at the top or sides of the squeeze handles. If they are missing or damaged, send the extinguisher for repair -- either to a professional service or your local fire department to be fixed or tested.

• 3

  Visually check the following parts for dents, rust, leaking, clogging or other damage: canister, hose and nozzle. If you notice any of the above, you must either fully replace, clean or repair the extinguisher.

• 4

  Inspect the pressure gauge. This is a circle-shaped dial that is located near the squeeze handles and has an arrow indicator. Make sure the pressure reads in the green color zone or at least 150psi, if there are no colors. Anything less than this means the extinguisher needs to be re-pressurized.

• 5

  Lightly scrub and clean any dirty or clogged areas of the hose and nozzle parts by using a damp cloth and regular soap (dish soap works well). Be sure to wipe these parts dry afterward to prevent rusting.

• 6

  Note if the operating instructions are legible, face outwards and are located where you can read them easily.

• 7

  Complete a "rotation" check every 30 to 60 days on the extinguisher, unless it is a water-filled canister. Do this by rotating the canister upside down and shaking it gently to loosen the powders that may have sunk and packed along the bottom. Bring the canister right side up again and place the extinguisher back into its holding position.