How To Inspect Fire Extinguishers

It can be critical to have a working fire extinguisher in case of an emergency. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire extinguishers should be checked every month. We are reminding you to inspect your fire extinguishers at the start of the year, but you should check them throughout the year too.

This is a Safety Task!

A fire extinguisher is of no use if it isn’t kept in good operating condition. Obviously, the quicker a fire can be extinguished the less damage it can cause.

Home Manager classifies this as an Insurance task!

How much you will save if you do this task yourself & approximately how long it will take to complete the task!

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, handyman, or fire extinguisher company

Task Steps

Step 1 – Inspect fire extinguishers

Make sure you have fire extinguishers in accessible areas & in locations where a fire could start. Extinguishers should be located in the garage, basement, kitchen, and near every fireplace and wood stove.
Make sure all the safety seals are intact and haven’t been tampered with.
Now is a good time to take your “before photo” for the task.

Step 2 – Inspect pressure gauge

Depending on the type of fire extinguishers you have, you should be able to read the pressure gauge in order to ensure there is nothing wrong with them. It should be in the green of fully pressurized.
Make sure nothing is blocking the view or access of the fire extinguisher.
Now is a good time to take your “during photo” for the task.
Also, check the extinguishers for any damage such as corrosion, leakage, or a clogged nozzle.
If you find anything wrong with an extinguisher, replace it as soon as possible.
It’s a good idea to locate all the fire extinguishers on your emergency floor plan, so everyone knows where they are located in the case of an emergency.
Make sure to dispose of any fire extinguishers properly. Call your local fire department for disposal locations.
Now is a good time to take your “after photo” for the task.

Now that you’ve inspected your fire extinguishers, check out this article or go to HomeManager to get more home maintenance tips!