Fire Extinguisher Servicing

Workplace fire extinguishers are often the first line of defence if a fire occurs. They are mandatory in Australian workplaces (including work vehicles). They are vital in protecting you, your team and your property and should be in good working order at all times.

Why do I have to test and tag fire extinguishers?

Because they are so important when an emergency occurs, there is a range of regulations to ensure fire extinguishers are kept in top condition and will perform as expected in the event of a fire. If the pressure escapes over time, they will not be as effective in containing a fire. Therefore fire extinguishers need to be checked and serviced regularly.

Regulations are frequently being reviewed and updated, so it’s important to engage a professional who is ahead of all the compliance laws in your area to perform the fire extinguisher servicing.

How often should fire extinguishers be serviced?

In order to comply with Australian Workplace Safety standards, it is critical for portable fire extinguishers to be regularly inspected, tested, and serviced.

The Building Code of Australia refers to the Standard for the frequency at which testing should occur. The Australian Standard AS1851 Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment specifies that:

• Fire extinguishers must be inspected and tested every six months
• Fire extinguishers must be pressure tested every five years. A licensed cylinder test facility should carry out pressure testing and certification.
• Fire extinguishers should also be recharged after any discharge event

What happens during the fire extinguisher servicing?

Our site service professionals provide a testing and certification service. This comprises a test in accordance with Australian Standards, repair or replacement of equipment that is not up to scratch, and a record of the tests performed. This is supplied as a certificate of inspection.

First, a visual inspection of the fire extinguisher determines if it is in a serviceable condition. A clean and washdown of the extinguisher is often appropriate, especially if the extinguishers are installed outdoors. The extinguisher is checked to confirm that the locking pin and tamper seals are intact and in good condition. Additionally, the inspector checks for any signs of leaks, damage or corrosion to the shell of the extinguisher.

The pressure gauge is checked, and if the gauge indicates that the extinguisher has lost pressure, or the unit itself is underweight, further work is needed. Typically this involves recharging and recertification of the extinguisher.

For every extinguisher, the test date is recorded on a metal tag attached to the unit. Finally, an inspection report is supplied to the business owner to help businesses comply with their legal requirements.

Fire extinguisher servicing for civil contractors

Jaybro provides a full range of site services to major projects, including fire extinguisher servicing and test and tagging. For more information please get in touch with our friendly team.