Making sure that your workplace is fire safe and that you are up to date with fire extinguisher testing is indeed a big responsibility. It’s also rather complex, especially when you consider everything you need to keep track of in order to stay compliant with the law.
To help shed some light on the topic, we’ve prepared a list of common questions that most of our customers have about our fire extinguisher inspection services. Get the answers to your burning questions below.
Fire Extinguisher Testing Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I test my fire extinguishers?
Fire extinguisher testing ensures fire safety and adheres to legal requirements. Failure to comply may result in safety hazards and hefty fines of up to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for organisations.
2. How often should fire extinguisher testing be done?
According to NZS 4503:2005 standards and fire safety legislation specifically for hand-operated fire fighting equipment, you need to have fire extinguishers tested at least once every 12 months.
However, there are a few circumstances and levels of testing that you need to be aware of. There are certain tests and check-ups conducted every month, every 6 months, every 12 months, and every 5 years. You can check our blog on fire extinguisher testing schedules for more details.
3. Who conducts fire extinguisher testing?
Only trained fire safety professionals are allowed to do fire extinguisher testing. Entrust your workplace safety to experts to make sure that your business has guaranteed protection.
4. What do you do in a fire extinguisher test?
Fire safety professionals examine fire extinguishers for physical damage, corrosion, and signs of leakage or clogging. The goal is to make sure that fire extinguishers are ready for safe and effective use in case of emergencies.
5. Does my fire extinguisher have a warranty?
Typically, fire extinguishers have 12-month warranties against defects. Defects that came from misuse and abuse, however, are not included.
6. Do fire extinguishers expire?
Rechargeable fire extinguishers can be reused depending on the type. Dry chemical extinguishers should be recharged every 6 or 12 years, while pressurised water, carbon dioxide, and wet chemical extinguishers should be recharged every 5 years.
After that period, fire extinguishers need to be subjected to further tests to ensure that the shell and its overall components are intact. When the extinguisher passes the testing, it can then be recharged.
On the other hand, non-rechargeable fire extinguishers should be disposed of and replaced every 12 years.
7. How do I know if my fire extinguisher is still in working order?
To check whether your fire extinguisher is still in working order, you can inspect the following components:
● The pressure gauge needle should be in the green area. If it is in the red area, the unit may not have enough pressure to operate.
● The tamper seals should be intact.
● The handle should not be bent or dented.
8. I haven’t had my fire extinguisher tested in a few years. Can I just schedule one soon to make up for it?
No. Fire extinguishers need regular testing and maintenance to ensure workplace safety and compliance. Missing scheduled testing intervals means can lead to legal consequences and fines. It can also mean missing out on required maintenance that can compromise the extinguishers’ safe operation. In any of these scenarios, scheduling a new testing date will not solve anything.
The Fire Extinguisher Testing Experts You Can Rely On
If you have any other questions about fire extinguisher testing, reach out to our experienced and fully qualified team of fire safety professionals.
At Jim’s Fire Safety, we commit to upholding your safety against fire hazards. We provide the following complimentary services when you reach out to us for fire extinguisher testing:
● Reminder Service – Keeping up with this timeline can get pretty hectic, so we will let you know when your equipment is due again for retesting.
● Data Management Service – We will keep an accurate record of all your testing results for you.
We have everything you need for fire safety in one team, including a wide range of services that include fire extinguisher testing and inspection, fire hose reel testing, fire blanket inspection, and more.
This is why Jim’s Fire Safety is the most trusted name for fire extinguisher testing services across New Zealand. Call us at 0800 454 654 to learn more about our services, or request a free quote via our online form.
