Every building in Great Britain could benefit from having a fire extinguisher, but it’s very important to have the correct type of extinguisher and to keep it maintained. If you’ve got the incorrect type of extinguisher, or if it doesn’t work properly when you need it, you’ll be unable to prevent a fire from spreading around the building.
In this blog, we’ll answer the question: how long should a fire extinguisher last? But we’ll also give you additional tips about how to check your fire extinguishers and what maintenance is essential to keep them in tip-top condition.
How long should a fire extinguisher last?
Fire extinguishers can last for anywhere between 10 and 20 years if used correctly. The lifetime of an extinguisher can vary depending on the manufacturer and style, but all extinguishers can have their life extended if they are serviced and looked after properly.
You might not be aware of the date you first got a particular fire extinguisher, which is why they come with a date visibly on them.
How to find the age of an extinguisher
You can find out the age of your fire extinguishers by checking the actual unit itself for a manufacture date. This will indicate when the unit was created and give you some idea of whether you need to have them replaced or maintained.
There are several areas where you might find the manufacturing date and therefore determine the age of the unit. Look for the dates in these areas:-
Around the neck body of the unit.
Around the area on the body just before the base.
Right in the centre of the body of the unit.
There may also be a date on the silver head of the unit in some cases, but this is not the full manufacturing date of the entire extinguisher.
When should you replace your fire extinguisher?
It’s best to speak to a dedicated expert if you’re worried about the fire extinguishers in your building, but there are signs which mean they will need your immediate attention as opposed to waiting for your next fire risk assessment. These signs include:-
The extinguishers were made by someone who no longer trades in the business.
The nozzle or hose have become blocked or damaged.
The locking pin is missing.
The handle is broken or has too much given in it.
The maintenance record is not up to date.
Fire extinguisher maintenance requirements
Hopefully, you never need to use an actual fire extinguisher, and many people won’t thank God, but this means units need to have maintenance periodically to keep them in full working condition just in case you do ever need to use one.
According to UK law, you must have extinguishers serviced once a year by a professional (BAFE or equivalent) to ensure the working order of all your units. During an inspection, the following things will be taken into account:
The visual state of the unit
The date on the unit
Pressure and weight
Pin condition
Hose condition
Legible instructions
Signs of tampering
Once this is complete, your records can be updated and you will be advised on whether you need any fire extinguishers replaced within your building.
Every commercial building needs two fire extinguishers per floor – as outlined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – this is unless the space is too. With this in mind, it’s important to keep up to date with fire extinguisher maintenance.
So, for all your fire extinguishers and safety requirement’s look no further than the team at PPE Stores. Call us today on 0115 952 3096 or email sales@ppestores.com.