Your fire extinguisher will stay in working order if you regularly bring it to an experienced specialist for inspection and servicing when needed. This gives you peace of mind and confidence that your fire extinguisher will work when you need it. Only a working fire extinguisher can put out a fire.
We have been inspecting fire extinguishers for a long time and have seen everything from excellent build quality to exceptionally poor workmanship. That is why we urge you to take fire extinguisher inspection and servicing seriously.
Time and again, we find that an apparently sound, clean, bright red fire extinguisher without a single scratch and with its pressure gauge in the green zone does not actually work. At TAMREX, we are committed to returning your fire extinguisher to you with no doubts about its reliability.
Over our many years in business, we have gathered valuable knowledge, experience and the necessary inspection and servicing instructions for fire extinguishers from different manufacturers. Many people are surprised to learn that each manufacturer makes fire extinguishers slightly differently. This means that the requirements for how often and in what way a particular product can be refurbished, or whether it can be refurbished at all, also vary.
In addition to our own TAMREX fire extinguishers, we have in-depth knowledge of other equipment on the market and its potential weak points, which we can bring to your attention.
When is inspection needed, and when is servicing needed?
Annual inspection is required for fire extinguishers you keep in a car, on a boat or outdoors. More frequent inspection is needed because these environments also expose fire extinguishers to cold or heat, moisture, vibration, sunlight and similar factors.
Inspection every two years is required for fire extinguishers you keep indoors in dry conditions within a stable temperature range.
Please note! When setting the next inspection date for your fire extinguisher, the technician takes into account not only the above factors but also the requirements in the manufacturer's servicing instructions, the pressure test result, the approaching service date and the condition of the fire extinguisher.
Bring your fire extinguisher in for servicing after you have used it. It must also be serviced at the regular intervals specified by the manufacturer.
Manufacturers and fire extinguishers vary: some units need servicing every 5 years, while another manufacturer's extinguishers have better build quality and do not need servicing as often.
We also come across fire extinguishers that are not designed to be serviced at all. These are essentially disposable units that must be disposed of once their service life expires. In most cases, the owner is completely unaware of this and is very annoyed with themselves for having been tempted by the low price when buying it.
What does a fire extinguisher inspection involve?
A fire extinguisher inspection is like a vehicle roadworthiness test. We carry out a series of checks to make sure the fire extinguisher is in working order at the time of inspection. The aim is to establish that the equipment is reliable, safe and compliant with the manufacturer's technical requirements.
During the inspection, we check that the fire extinguisher contains propellant gas, check that the mass of the extinguishing agent meets the requirements where necessary, assess whether the equipment is ready for use and carry out other procedures specified in the manufacturer's servicing instructions.
What does fire extinguisher servicing involve?
Fire extinguisher servicing consists of a series of procedures that extend the equipment's service life. During servicing, we replace fire extinguisher components and carry out tests to establish its reliability, safety for the user and other factors.
Bring your fire extinguisher in for servicing immediately if:
- you have used it;
- an inspection has revealed defects that could put users or the equipment's reliability at risk;
- it is due for periodic servicing and pressure testing;
All TAMREX powder fire extinguishers must be brought in for servicing every 10 years to extend their service life. Many low-quality powder fire extinguishers are due for periodic servicing after just 5 years, as is usual for foam fire extinguishers, for example.
As a general rule, the cheaper the fire extinguisher, the shorter the service intervals. The cost of servicing may also be higher depending on the fire extinguisher. For example, the powder in some fire extinguishers must be replaced during servicing. Sometimes servicing costs as much as a new, inexpensive fire extinguisher. Please note! There is also a charge for disposing of a fire extinguisher.
Look out for faults in your fire extinguishers!
Give your fire extinguishers a quick visual check yourself from time to time. If you notice that something is visibly wrong, broken or missing altogether, do not wait until the next inspection is due. Bring the equipment to us for inspection.
One thing you can check yourself is the pressure gauge reading. If the needle is not in the green zone, bring the fire extinguisher in for inspection.
If you notice that the fire extinguisher's hose, safety pin, tamper seal or a similar part is missing or broken, bring it in for inspection. If the safety pin or tamper seal is missing, handle the fire extinguisher carefully when bringing it in, as accidentally pressing the lever will discharge it.
Also bring your fire extinguisher in for inspection if you notice damage to the cylinder, rust or similar issues.
Who is allowed to inspect and service fire extinguishers?
Fire extinguishers may be inspected and serviced by service centres that have the required registration, trained and competent technicians, suitable equipment for the various procedures and fire extinguisher servicing instructions.
Fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's inspection and servicing instructions and local requirements.
Avoid unverified and unreliable service providers who lack the necessary competence.