British Standard BS 5306-3 recommends a quick visual check every month. It takes a few minutes and doesn't need an engineer.
Check Each Extinguisher Is…
- In its usual place, visible and not blocked.
- Undamaged – no dents, rust or cracked hoses.
- Not used – the safety pin and tamper seal are intact.
- Showing a pressure gauge in the green, where it has one. Anywhere in the green is fine, including right on the line – temperature and atmospheric pressure can move the needle within the green range.
- Clearly labelled, with the instructions facing outwards.
Enter a record of the check in your fire safety log book – the date and who did it. It's good evidence that your equipment is looked after.
If anything isn't right, take the extinguisher out of use and arrange a service or replacement.
Worth remembering… your fire risk assessment is what decides the equipment your premises need. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.
Not sure what you need? Get in touch with our team – we'll be delighted to help. No pressure. No sales patter.