Portable fire extinguishers are the first line of defence against small fires, but only if they are the right type, in the right place, charged and ready. Owners are responsible for regular visual inspections, usually monthly, and for having qualified technicians carry out annual maintenance and longer-interval tests. A few minutes a month catches most problems.
The rules
The National Fire Code of Canada and the provincial fire codes in Alberta, BC and Ontario require portable extinguishers in most buildings, and require them to be installed, inspected and maintained to NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. Extinguishers sold in Canada should be listed by a recognized certification body such as ULC. Check the editions your provincial code references, and any local fire authority requirements.
Classes of fire and extinguisher ratings
| Class | Fuel | Typical extinguisher |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ordinary combustibles: wood, paper, cloth, many plastics | Water, multipurpose dry chemical, some foams |
| B | Flammable liquids and gases | Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam |
| C | Energized electrical equipment | Non-conductive agents such as dry chemical or carbon dioxide |
| D | Combustible metals such as magnesium | Special dry powder agents for the specific metal |
| K | Cooking oils and fats in commercial kitchens | Wet chemical |
Each extinguisher's label shows its rating, with numbers that indicate its relative capacity for class A and B fires. The fire code and NFPA 10 set the minimum rating, number and travel distance to extinguishers based on the hazard in each area. Commercial kitchens with cooking appliances need class K units in addition to the hood suppression system.
Monthly inspection
A monthly visual inspection can be done by trained building staff. It is a quick check that each extinguisher is ready to use:
- In its designated place, mounted correctly and not blocked by storage or furniture
- Location sign visible where extinguishers are not in plain view
- Operating instructions on the label legible and facing outward
- Pressure gauge, where fitted, in the operable range
- Safety pin and tamper seal in place
- Full, judged by weight or by lifting, where there is no gauge
- No obvious damage, corrosion, leaks or clogged nozzle
- Hose undamaged, not cracked or blocked
- Maintenance tag present and current
Record each monthly inspection on the tag or in a log with the date and the inspector's initials.
After any use, recharge. An extinguisher that has been discharged, even briefly, must be recharged or replaced. Partial discharge can let the remaining pressure leak away. Take it out of service and have it serviced before putting it back.
Setting up a monthly round
The monthly check is easy to skip because it seems trivial. A simple routine keeps it on track:
- Number every extinguisher and mark its location on a floor plan, so the round has a fixed route and nothing is missed.
- Assign the round to a named, trained person, with a backup for holidays.
- Use the same checklist each month, initialling the tag and recording the result in a log.
- Act on failures the same day. Swap the unit for a spare if you have one, or tag it out and call the service company.
- Review the log quarterly for repeat problems, such as units that keep getting moved, blocked or discharged.
Common problems found
| Problem | Usual cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Extinguisher missing or moved | Taken for use elsewhere, or moved during a fit-up | Return to its marked location; check the layout still meets travel distance rules |
| Blocked by storage or furniture | Space reorganized without thinking about access | Clear the area; mark the floor or wall if it keeps happening |
| Gauge out of range | Leak, partial discharge or damage | Remove from service and have it serviced |
| Missing pin or broken seal | Tampering or use | Treat as discharged; have it serviced |
| Wrong type for the hazard | Area use changed, such as a new kitchen or workshop | Have a technician review the hazard and replace or add units |
A typical case
A warehouse adds a battery charging area for its forklifts in a corner that used to hold dry storage. The existing extinguishers stay where they are. At the annual service, the technician points out that the nearest unit is now behind racking and beyond the travel distance from the new charging area, and that the hazard in that area has changed. The warehouse adds a unit at the charging area, relocates another to a clear path, and adds a note to its change process: any change in how a space is used includes a check of extinguisher type and placement.
Annual maintenance
Once a year, a qualified technician performs maintenance on each extinguisher. This is a thorough examination of the mechanical parts, agent and expelling means, and includes checking that the extinguisher is the right type for the hazard and correctly placed. The technician attaches a tag or label recording the date and who did the work. Units that fail are repaired, recharged or replaced.
Longer-interval maintenance and testing
Depending on the type, NFPA 10 also requires:
- Internal examination at set intervals for some stored-pressure types, which involves emptying, inspecting inside and recharging.
- Hydrostatic testing of the cylinder at set intervals, which differ by extinguisher type, to make sure it can safely hold pressure.
- Removal from service of extinguishers that are obsolete, damaged or past their service life, or that cannot be maintained under the current standard.
The technician should track these dates for each unit. Check the label and service tag; if the history is unclear, ask.
Placement
- Along normal paths of travel and near exits, so people can grab one on the way out
- Within the maximum travel distance for the hazard in that area
- Mounted at a height that is easy to reach, with the top of heavier units lower
- Near specific hazards: kitchens, workshops, electrical rooms, flammable liquid storage
- Protected from damage, weather and freezing where needed, with suitable types for unheated spaces
Training
Extinguishers are only useful when people know when and how to use them. Staff should know to raise the alarm first, only fight a fire that is small and contained, keep an exit behind them, and leave if the fire grows. Many organizations teach the PASS method: pull the pin, aim at the base, squeeze the handle, sweep side to side. Hands-on training is better than reading about it. Make extinguisher use part of your emergency response plan.
How ehZee can help
Through our fire inspections, verification and monitoring service, we review extinguisher types, placement, tags and records as part of a wider look at life safety systems, and coordinate servicing with qualified technicians. See also fire alarm system inspections and sprinkler system inspections.
Common questions
Is one multipurpose extinguisher enough for an office?
It depends on floor area, layout and travel distances. The fire code and NFPA 10 set how many are needed and how far apart. Kitchens, server rooms and workshops may need different types.
Can our staff do the annual maintenance?
No. Monthly visual checks can be done by trained staff, but annual maintenance, recharging and testing must be done by qualified technicians.