Fire extinguishers are one of the most essential pieces of fire safety equipment in any building. Whether in an office, warehouse, school, hospital, or residential block, they provide the first line of defence in the event of a fire. However, simply having extinguishers in place is not enough—they must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they will work effectively in an emergency. This process, known as fire extinguisher servicing, is both a legal requirement and a critical aspect of building safety management.
Regular fire extinguisher servicing ensures that all units are in good working order, free from damage, and properly pressurised. Over time, extinguishers can develop faults such as leaks, corrosion, blocked nozzles, or fire extinguisher servicing weakened seals. These issues may not be visible to the untrained eye but could render the extinguisher useless in an emergency. Servicing carried out by a trained fire safety professional identifies and rectifies these problems before they compromise safety.
In the UK, fire extinguisher servicing is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the British Standard BS 5306-3. These regulations state that fire extinguishers must be serviced at least once a year by a qualified technician. In addition to annual servicing, businesses are required to conduct regular visual inspections—usually once a month—to check that extinguishers are accessible, have not been tampered with, and show no obvious signs of damage.
A standard fire extinguisher service involves a series of important checks. The technician will verify that the extinguisher is the correct type for its location, check the pressure gauge, inspect the safety pin and tamper seal, and examine the body for dents, rust, or leaks. They will also ensure that the operating instructions are legible and that the extinguisher is mounted correctly and easily accessible. For certain extinguishers, such as water, foam, or powder units, an extended service is required every five years, which involves discharging and refilling the extinguisher. CO₂ extinguishers must undergo pressure testing every ten years to ensure the cylinder is safe.
