How to Do a Maintenance Check on Fire Extinguishers

In the event of a fire emergency, you need to be fully prepared. Not being prepared can result in serious property damage, severe injuries or even death. Your fire extinguisher is a major tool you have in combating potential fire damage and health risks. However, it's not enough to just know where your fire extinguisher is. You also need to do maintenance checks periodically to make sure the fire extinguisher is within reach and operable.

• 1

  Check your fire extinguisher often. You should do a maintenance check when you first get it and every 30 days after that.

• 2

  Remove any items that obstruct the path to the fire extinguisher. It shouldn't be buried in a closet or in the back of the pantry. Your fire extinguisher should be easily seen and fully accessible at all times.

• 3

  Inspect the safety seals, maintenance tag and tamper indicators of the fire extinguisher. These should all be intact and updated.

• 4

  Pick up your fire extinguisher. You should have an idea of what it should weigh from when you first got it. If it feels much lighter, it might not be full and may need to be replaced.

• 5

  Look over the fire extinguisher for any obvious damage, including cracks, leaks or a clogged nozzle. Any of these issues could impair the fire extinguisher's performance in the event of an emergency.