Life Expectancy of Fire Extinguishers

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Portable fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device and an essential first-aid fire fighting equipment. They are very valuable in the early stages of a fire when used promptly and effectively.

The extinguishers shall not be used after the expiry of its life period. Life time of the extinguishers shall be considered from the date of manufacturing.

Fire extinguishers expire due to different reasons. One common way is that, over time, the seal on the neck will weaken and allow compressed gas to escape. When the extinguishers have lost much of their pressure it will not operate and fight fire.

The hydraulic pressure test should be carried out at specific intervals as suggested in the IS2190 standards / equivalent International standards. Water type, mechanical foam, dry powder, clean agent extinguishers should be hydro tested every three years till their life time and carbon dioxide one in every 5 years. If the extinguisher fails in the test the same should be rejected and disposed even before their life time as per the standards. The rejected fire extinguishers should be cut centrally across the body and made unusable before disposal so as to prohibit their subsequent use. The date of rejection and the mode disposal should be recorded in the register of fire extinguisher.

Water type, foam type and clean agent extinguishers have a life time of 10 years and the carbon dioxide extinguishers have 15 years of life.

Ref: IS 2190 (2010): SELECTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRST-AID FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Written by Kanchana R