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Fire Extinguisher Maintenance: Professional Servicing and Inspection Services

Fire extinguishers are your first line of defence against fire, but only if they’re properly maintained and ready to use. 

Regular fire extinguisher maintenance is a legal requirement under UK fire safety regulations. These laws ensure your equipment will function correctly when you need it most.

At Barbon Fire Protection, our certified technicians provide comprehensive servicing and inspection to keep your fire extinguishers compliant, operational and ready to protect your people and property.

  • Legal Compliance

    Legally, it’s a requirement under UK fire safety regulations (i.e., failure to maintain your extinguishers can result in prosecution, substantial fines, and invalidated insurance claims).

  • Performance

    Unmaintained extinguishers may fail when you need them most, putting lives at risk. Environmental factors, such as temperature fluctuations, humidity, and general wear, can affect an extinguisher’s performance over time.

  • Get Ahead Of Any Issues

    Pressure can drop, seals can deteriorate, and extinguishing agents can settle or degrade. But regular servicing identifies these issues before they compromise functionality.

  • Workplace & Insurance Benefits

    Additionally, maintaining your fire extinguishers demonstrates your commitment to workplace safety, protects your employees and visitors, and can reduce insurance premiums. Well-maintained equipment also lasts longer, and that’s always a plus.

How Often Do Fire Extinguishers Need to Be Serviced?

Fire extinguishers in commercial premises must be serviced annually by a competent person, as required by BS 5306-3 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

In addition to annual servicing, extinguishers require extended servicing every five years, which involves a more thorough internal inspection, discharge, and refill.

Some high-risk environments or specific extinguisher types may require more frequent servicing. The service interval is clearly marked on the maintenance label attached to each extinguisher. 

For domestic fire extinguishers, while not legally required, annual servicing is strongly recommended to ensure they’ll work when needed.

Get Commercial Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Contact us and discuss your commercial fire extinguisher maintenance needs today.

Commercial Fire Extinguisher Maintenance FAQs:

Who can carry out fire extinguisher maintenance?

Fire extinguisher maintenance must be carried out by a “competent person” as defined by fire safety regulations. That means someone with the necessary training, knowledge, and experience to properly inspect and service extinguishers according to BS 5306-3 standards.

At Barbon Fire Protection, all our technicians are professionally trained and certified to service all types of portable fire extinguishers. They carry the specialist tools and replacement parts needed to complete servicing to the required standards.

What happens during a fire extinguisher service?

During an annual service, the technician checks that the pressure gauge is reading correctly within the green zone, inspects the exterior for damage or corrosion, and verifies instruction labels are legible.

The technician also checks that all seals and mechanical components are functioning properly. They may fit new service labels and tamper seals, or complete detailed records.

What is the difference between annual service and extended service?

Annual service is a thorough external inspection and functional check performed every year to make sure that the extinguisher remains operational and compliant. It’s a non-invasive service that doesn’t require discharging the unit.

Extended service, required every five years, is a comprehensive internal examination where the extinguisher is completely discharged, the valve mechanism is dismantled, all internal components are inspected and cleaned, worn parts are replaced, and the unit is refilled.

Do I need to service fire extinguishers in my home?

While there’s no legal requirement to service domestic fire extinguishers in private homes, it’s highly recommended for your safety. That’s because home extinguishers are subject to the same environmental factors that can affect performance, such as pressure loss, seal deterioration, and agent degradation.

What should I do if my fire extinguisher fails its service?

If an extinguisher fails its service inspection, it must be removed from service immediately and clearly marked as unserviceable. Our technician will advise whether the unit can be repaired or if it needs replacing. Minor issues, such as work seals or low pressure, can often be rectified during the service visit.

However, if there’s significant corrosion, structural damage, or the extinguisher has reached the end of its operational life (typically 10-20 years depending on type), replacement becomes necessary.

How much does fire extinguisher maintenance cost?

Fire extinguisher maintenance costs vary depending on the number and types of extinguishers, your location, and whether it’s an annual or extended servicing. Annual servicing typically costs between £8 and £15 per extinguisher, while extended five-year servicing ranges from £20 to £40 per unit due to the additional work involved.

What happens if I don't maintain my fire extinguishers?

Failing to maintain fire extinguishers can have serious consequences. You’ll be in breach of UK fire safety legislation, which can result in prosecution, unlimited fines, and even imprisonment in serious cases. 

Most critically, an unmaintained extinguisher may not work in an emergency, potentially leading to injuries, fatalities, or extensive property damage that could’ve been prevented.

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