How often should fire extinguishers be serviced?

The responsible person for any non-domestic premises: the employer, owner, landlord, occupier or anyone else in control, such as a facilities or managing agent. That covers workplaces, shops, premises the public use and the common areas of blocks of flats. It also applies to paying guest accommodation such as B&Bs and self-catering lets. Where extinguishers are provided, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires them to be maintained in efficient working order. Fire extinguisher servicing and the monthly fire extinguisher maintenance checklist are the responsible person’s job, usually the employer or whoever controls the premises.

• Missing a service date is not an offence in itself. The legal risk is equipment that is not kept in efficient working order, which breaches article 17 of the Fire Safety Order.
• Fire and rescue authorities inspect premises. They can give informal advice or serve an enforcement notice saying what must be fixed and by when.
• Failing a fire safety duty in a way that puts people at risk of death or serious injury is an offence. GOV.UK says minor penalties can be up to £5,000, and major ones unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison.
• An extinguisher that has missed its service is also likely to be raised at your next fire risk assessment review.

1. 1

   Do the monthly fire extinguisher inspection

   Government guidance says a monthly check should be enough in normal conditions. You or a person you nominate can do it. Check more often where extinguishers may be tampered with or are in a harsh environment.

2. 2

   Work through the inspection checklist

   For each extinguisher check that it is in its designated place and clearly visible, has not been used and is not obviously damaged, has clean and legible operating instructions, has its seals and tamper indicators intact, and that any pressure gauge reads within limits.

3. 3

   Log the check

   Record the date, who checked, and any fault for each extinguisher. Government guidance suggests a log book for all fire safety maintenance and testing.

4. 4

   Book the annual service

   Use a competent person to maintain every extinguisher once a year. Government guidance names BS 5306-3 as the maintenance standard. Ask for a written report listing each extinguisher, its location and the outcome.

5. 5

   Ask about extended servicing

   London Fire Brigade says extended servicing, including discharging and recharging, should be done as set out in BS 5306-3. Ask your engineer which units are due and record the date.

6. 6

   Close out defects

   Get faulty, used or condemned extinguishers repaired, recharged or replaced quickly. Guidance says defects should be put right as quickly as possible.

A simple reminder plan: 30 days, 14 days, 7 days before the expiry date. The calculator above puts these in your calendar.

• The annual service report from the engineer, listing each extinguisher and its location.
• Your monthly inspection log, with dates, who checked and any faults found.
• Records of extinguishers repaired, recharged or replaced, and when.
• Your fire risk assessment, which should reflect the extinguishers you have and where they are.
• In Scotland, government guidance says records of maintenance and testing should be kept for at least 3 years.

• Relying on the annual service alone. The monthly visual check is the responsible person’s job.
• Not writing the monthly checks down. Records help show the enforcing authority you have complied.
• Hanging a part-used extinguisher back on its bracket. The user check asks whether it has been operated, so get it recharged or replaced.
• Moving extinguishers away from their fire points, or blocking them with stock or furniture.
• Keeping the wrong type for the risk. Water extinguishers are not for live electrical equipment, and foam is not for deep-fat fryers or chip pans.