A well-looked-after extinguisher can last many years. What matters is that it's serviced and checked so you know it will work.

  • Water, foam, powder and wet chemical extinguishers need an extended service (also known as a discharge test) every 5 years under BS 5306-3. At that point many people replace older units instead, as it can cost about the same.
  • CO2 extinguishers need an overhaul every 10 years.
  • Service-free extinguishers such as the P50 follow the manufacturer's system instead: a factory refurbishment at 10 years and replacement at 20 years. See Do Fire Extinguishers Need Servicing?
  • AFFF foam extinguishers: with a ban on PFAS foams expected, the usual approach is to replace an AFFF unit when it's due for its discharge test or reaches the end of its life – with water (our standard advice) or, where you need foam, a fluorine-free foam. See Are Foam Fire Extinguishers Banned?
  • Old-style extinguishers: before today's standard, extinguishers were made to BS 5423 and the whole body was coloured to show the type – a black CO2, a blue powder, a cream foam and so on. (Today's extinguishers are red all over, with just a small coloured band or panel.) If you have one of these old-style units, it's likely to be too old to rely on and should be checked and most likely replaced.
  • Any extinguisher that's damaged, corroded, partly used or failing its checks should be repaired or replaced.

The Discharge Test in Practice

A discharge test means emptying the extinguisher and refilling it. In practice, most extinguishers aren't discharged on site any more. Environmental concerns, and "multi-skilled" facilities technicians who don't have the right tools or training, mean it often isn't done properly.

Some companies use a service exchange instead – swapping your extinguisher for one "tested" off site. The replacement could be older than the one you had, or may not have been tested at all. Ask your servicing company how they carry out discharge tests, and check what you get back.

How Old Is My Extinguisher?

The date of manufacture isn't always easy to find. It may be stamped on the body or the neck of the cylinder, sometimes as a code, and it isn't always the date that's easiest to spot on the label. If you're not sure, ask your servicing engineer – they can tell you, and it should be on your service records.

If you don't need a replacement, we won't sell you one – honest advice comes first.

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.