Do You Guys Buy New Fire Extinguisher Each Year?

Just wondering how do you guys maintain the fire extinguishers.

Do you buy a new one each year since it does have expiry or do you refill?

Where and which fire extinguisher do you buy?

Comments

  • +9

    Assuming this is in a domestic setting, use a fire blanket in lieu of fire extinguisher.

  • What fires are you intending to put out?

    • flame wars on ozb threads

  • as above…use a fire blanket instead…

  • I don't think they "expire" after a year (well not to my understanding).

    They need to be inspected periodically (perhaps yearly?) to ensure they're functional (maintaining charge).

    But personally, I just look at the pressure indicator periodically to ensure they're charged and looking healthy. It sits next to a fire blanket that'd likely get used first.

    • Good to know. One I havent been used . However, pressure indicator mentioned zero. So presumably needs to be replaced

      • +4

        Yeah sounds like it's dead jim.

      • +1

        A water extinguisher ought to be able to be recharged.
        Is water suitable for your environment though?

        (ie water is not generally suitable for Kitchen or electrical fires)

        I don't know about Powder extinguishers (with a white/cream band around the top), but I assume they too could be recharged.

  • +1

    Any deals on a fire blanket/extinguisher then?

    • +1

      $10ish at Bunnings

  • While we're on this topic, does anyone know of any good smoke alarms? I have one wired to AC with battery backup but need to replace it because the alarm fell off from the ceiling (lol).

    The old one wasn't interconnected, but I believe now we have to implement interconnected ones

  • Extinguishers in a commercial setting should get yearly inspections & replaced every 5 years. I've inherited all the old ones from work and they still function adequately - but I have enough spares everywhere at home now that I can suffer a faulty one without additional risk. Most people won't though.

    It's not just a matter of checking the pressure - the powder ones ideally should be regularly shaken to keep the powder loose, as it will inevitably settle and get worse over time. Water & CO2 extinguishers obviously don't have this issue.

    • +1

      the powder ones ideally should be regularly shaken to keep the powder loose

      Tip them upside down and tap them with a rubber mallet when being inspected yearly is the SOP

  • +2

    I replace mine with one someone else threw out just because it was a year old.

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