Frequently Asked Questions - Fire Extinguishers and Extinguisher Systems

According to the Canadian National Fire Code (CNFC) (the provinces and territories have adopted the CNFC as their code standard), extinguishers must be inspected as part of a monthly safety process. The inspecting party should initial tags or labels attached to the extinguisher. Extinguishers have to be inspected annually by a trained technician, new tags should be attached to each extinguisher. A current dated tag and monthly/annual report witnesses the fact that the extinguisher has been inspected as required by NFPA 10, which is referenced by the CNFC.

Every six (6) years the powder or chemical has to be changed and the discharge initiation (gas cylinder or whatever propels the chemical) has to be changed. The technician must place a one-piece paper collar on the neck of the extinguisher during the reassembly to indicate it has been disassembled and reassembled by a qualified technician. It is important to ensure you are using a qualified technician or company to perform your fire extinguisher service or maintenance.

Every twelve (12) years because it is not considered a high pressure cylinder. It is important to ensure you are using a qualified technician or company to perform your fire extinguisher service or maintenance.

Every five (5) years because it’s considered a high pressure cylinder.

Practically anyone. It doesn’t require a paid technician to perform a visual inspection of a fire extinguisher, however BC Fire Safe will provide this service. Please contact the office for a quote. The inspection should be performed at least once a month (more often if it’s vehicle mounted). The points to consider during an inspection are:
 

• Deep scratches or dents on the cylinder;
• Is the gauge in the green zone?
• Is the label properly attached/missing/defaced?
• Is the pin in place and the seal holding it unbroken?
• Is the handle bent or damaged?
• Is the hose damaged/properly attached?
• Is there an excessive amount of corrosion on the bottom or sides of the cylinder?
• Is the annual inspection tag legible?
• Lift it off its bracket and check the date on the bottom of the cylinder. If it’s older than six years and hasn’t been serviced, then arrangements should be made to have the unit serviced.
• The unit will need to be inverted to see/listen to detect if the powder drops and moves. It should flow in one smooth movement. If it doesn’t, it’s clumped or caked. With the cylinder upside down, tap the bottom and sides with a rubber mallet until you hear the powder fall. This operation should be performed more frequently if the unit is vehicle mounted. Vibration tends to pack the powder and you want it to be nice and loose.

A Class K fire extinguisher or system (K for kitchen) is required. Combustible cooking media fires typically involve kitchen appliances containing quantities of cooking greases or oils that present special hazard and during the extinguishing they can re-ignite or flash over, water alone is extremely dangerous. K class extinguishers create a foam covering over the fire fuel surface which eliminates the oxygen and cools the fire, essentially the foam smothers the fire.