How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Serviced?

# How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Serviced?

A fire extinguisher with no maintenance for 2-3 years is a liability, not an asset. In India, fire extinguisher maintenance is governed by IS 2190, which specifies exactly how often and how thoroughly extinguishers must be serviced.

IS 2190 Service Requirements

Three levels of mandatory maintenance: 1. Monthly inspection — basic visual check 2. Annual service — certified technician full service 3. Hydraulic pressure test — every 3 or 5 years by type

All three are mandatory. Service records must be available during Fire NOC inspections.

Monthly Inspection (Do It Yourself)

Every month, check each extinguisher: ✅ In designated location, visible and accessible ✅ Safety pin and tamper seal intact ✅ Pressure gauge in green zone ✅ No visible damage — dents, corrosion, cracked hose ✅ Operating label legible

Record results in monthly log.

Annual Service by Certified Technician

Every 12 months, a certified technician must: * Weigh the cylinder (CO2 — weight confirms charge) * Discharge and inspect internally * Replace worn components — valve O-rings, hose, nozzle * Refill with correct agent type and quantity * Re-pressurize to rated working pressure * Affix current service tag with date and technician details

The service tag is what the fire inspector checks — missing or expired tags = NOC rejection.

Hydraulic Pressure Testing

| Extinguisher Type | Hydro Test Frequency | |---|---| | ABC Dry Powder | Every 3 years | | CO2 | Every 5 years | | Foam | Every 3 years | | Wet Chemical | Every 5 years |

Cylinder pressurized to 1.5× working pressure. Failed cylinders must be condemned and replaced.

Service Records

Maintain a register with: serial number, type, location, monthly inspection results, annual service dates, hydro test dates. Must be available for inspection at all times.

When to Replace vs Refill

• *Refill:** After any use, or when undercharged on annual service.
• *Replace:** When cylinder fails hydro test, shows corrosion or deep dents, or exceeds manufacturer's rated life (typically 10-15 years).

Get Regular Servicing

Shri Balaji Fire Security Services (shribalajifireservices.com) provides IS 2190-compliant annual extinguisher servicing across Varanasi with proper documentation and service tags for NOC inspections.

Enroll in our AMC and we track all service due dates automatically. Visit shribalajifireservices.com.