Fire extinguisher need to work straight away when needed, so it is vital they are regularly checked and serviced. Fire extinguishers are pressurised vessels that can burst when corroded or damaged and have been known to cause serious injury and even death.

The Occupational Safety And Health Act 2007 states that fire fighting equipment “must be subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.” This maintenance is carried out bi-annually.

There are two types of maintenance procedures. Visual inspection by the user and maintenance by a competent person. It may be necessary to carry out a basic service more than once in a 6 month period if the monthly visual inspection identifies any damage or drop in pressure.