Do Fire Extinguishers Expire? – One of the most important safety devices in any home, business, or vehicle is a fire extinguisher. While they can never take the place of the fire department for a larger fire, they are excellent at eliminating smaller fires before they escalate to the point of threatening the entire building.
Even if they cannot fully extinguish the fire, a fire extinguisher can at least reduce the size of the fire and give the professionals an easier task when they arrive. Click here for the Top 10 Best Fire Extinguishers.
Of course, none of those things matter if the fire extinguisher doesn’t work. It can be both dangerous and destructive when a fire extinguisher fails to operate in that critical moment when it has the potential to save the day. Malfunctioning controls can cause extinguisher failure, but many people wonder if a fire extinguisher can fail simply because of old age. In other words, do fire extinguishers expire?
The answer is a qualified no, with one exception. The age of an extinguisher cannot automatically make it unusable. A well-maintained extinguisher of the proper type can safely serve a home or business for many years.
Now let’s look at what makes that a qualified no. More on that exception in a minute.
Maintenance is the reason that we can’t simply say that fire extinguishers don’t expire. Many of them are purchased, installed, and neglected until something happens. When a fire breaks out and the extinguisher doesn’t work, someone concludes that it was simply too old and had expired.
The fact is that even a very old extinguisher will continue to work if it has been properly inspected and maintained annually. In fact, fire codes in many places require such inspections for the building to maintain its occupancy permit. Without good maintenance, there is the potential for fire extinguishers to fail, but it’s the lack of maintenance that has led to the failure, not simply the date on a calendar. So with that said, let’s look at what can happen to cause a fire extinguisher to fail.
To understand that, we need to look at the construction of a fire extinguisher. The most visible part is the cylinder itself. This is the largest part of the extinguisher and is typically painted red. The cylinder must be able to withstand high pressure levels, and the only way to determine if it meets that requirement is to put the cylinder through a procedure called hydrostatic testing. This process basically introduces a high level of pressure into the cylinder to make sure that it won’t fail due to corrosion or cracks. If it doesn’t pass the test, it cannot be used. If it does, it makes no difference how old the cylinder is.
The next parts to consider are the gaskets. When the valve is installed onto the cylinder, there are several threaded connections that must maintain a proper seal. If that seal fails, the pressure is lost and the extinguisher will not discharge its contents Those seals are maintained with gaskets or “o-rings”. These are made of rubber and can deteriorate over time, allowing the pressure to slowly escape from the cylinder. The inspection process will reveal this failure, allowing the o-rings to be replaced. Yes, advanced age can cause them to fail, but it’s an easy fix.
Next we need to consider the valve. This includes all the moving parts on the extinguisher. An inspection will examine whether the valve works properly. The handle should move freely and remain properly aligned with the discharge button that it will depress during operation. A qualified technician can examine the valve and determine if it needs repairs, but the most likely requirement will be a few o-rings.
The final part of the extinguisher is the hose or nozzle. Some models feature only a discharge nozzle located near the valve. This is common on smaller units like those used in kitchens. There’s not much that can go wrong with these, but the inspector will make sure that it’s not cracked and look for obstructions inside it.
Larger extinguisher feature a rubber hose that allows more targeted application of the extinguishing agent. This is more effective because it’s much easier to redirect the hose than to pick up a heavy extinguisher and attempt to aim the entire unit. The hose, like any rubber object, could become dry-rotted or cracked. It may have obstructions inside it (a particularly common problem in schools and public places, where people seem to have a habit of stuffing garbage into strange places). If the hose flexes properly and will permit the extinguishing material to flow freely, the extinguisher is ready for use. If the extinguisher is older and the hose has been in that bent position for a long time, it could have started to crack and will need to be replaced.
The contents of the extinguisher are the last part of the equation. The dry chemical found inside an extinguisher will last indefinitely if properly maintained. However, it can pack into a cake over a period of time, making it harder to discharge. An inspection usually involves shaking or inverting the extinguisher to break up the material and keep it ready.
Earlier we mentioned the exception to our statement that fire extinguishers don’t expire. That exception is when the extinguisher features outdated technology. Older units that are filled with obsolete materials like soda acid or chemical foam should no longer be used. Outdated technology like pressurized cartridges, metal nozzles on carbon dioxide units, or any fiberglass cylinder should be removed from service. Pressurized extinguishers made before 1955 and water extinguishers from before 1971 are obsolete as well. Finally, any extinguisher built by a manufacturer that is no longer in business should be disposed of as well.
Fire extinguishers are a key line of defense against fire. They can eliminate or limit the fire before the fire department has time to arrive, potentially saving lives and property. A well-maintained extinguisher of the proper technology can provide this protection for many years.