Portable fire extinguishers are easy to overlook until they’re needed, which is exactly why NFPA 10 sets a specific service schedule for them.
Monthly: Visual Inspection
A quick monthly check confirms the extinguisher is in its designated location, unobstructed, fully charged (gauge in the operable range), and free of visible damage. This can be done by building staff and logged on the extinguisher’s tag.
Annually: Maintenance Inspection
Once a year, a certified fire protection technician performs a more thorough inspection, checking the mechanical parts, verifying the extinguishing agent, and confirming the unit meets current standards. This visit is documented with a service tag showing the date and technician.
Every 5 or 12 Years: Hydrostatic Testing
Extinguisher cylinders must be hydrostatically tested periodically to confirm they can safely hold pressure — the exact interval depends on the extinguisher type and construction, commonly every 5 years for dry chemical units and every 12 years for some others.
Missing any of these intervals is one of the more common violations found during a fire marshal walkthrough. See our full Commercial Fire Extinguisher Service guide for placement and sizing requirements.