The maintenance of fire extinguishers is essential for three key reasons:

 

Functional safety: Only a regularly tested fire extinguisher offers the guarantee of being ready for use in the event of a fire. Maintenance detects ageing-related defects such as pressure loss, clumped extinguishing powder or corrosion in good time.

 

Legal obligation (in the commercial sector): According to the Workplace Directive ASR A2.2 "Measures against Fires" and the Industrial Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV), employers are obliged to provide fire extinguishers and ensure their functionality at all times.

 

Insurance coverage: In the event of a claim, insurance companies often require proof of regular maintenance of the fire protection equipment. If this is missing, the insurance benefit can be reduced or refused.

The test interval is clearly regulated: fire extinguishers must be checked by a knowledgeable person at the latest every 2 years.

 

Commercial area: Here the 2-year interval is mandatory.

 

Private area: There is no legal obligation for maintenance, but it is strongly recommended to ensure your own safety.

 

Important: The operator is additionally obliged to use the fire extinguishers regularly (e.g. Every 3 months) to undergo a visual inspection. It is checked whether the extinguisher is in the designated place, easily accessible and externally undamaged.

The test is carried out according to the specifications of DIN 14406-4. The most important steps include:

 

External inspection: inspection of the container for rust, damage, dents and checking of the lettering for readability.

 

Internal check: The fire extinguisher is opened. The interior of the container is tested for corrosion.

 

Checking the extinguishing agent: The extinguishing agent (e.g. Powder) is adjusted to its correct quantity and condition (e.g. Clumping).

 

Inspection of the fittings and hoses: All valves, hoses and the extinguishing gun are checked for function, tightness and cracks.

 

Restoration of operational readiness: After the inspection, the fire extinguisher is professionally mounted again, sealed and (in the case of charging extinguishers) put under pressure.

 

Documentation: The maintenance carried out is noted by a test badge on the fire extinguisher. The name of the auditor/company as well as the month and year of the audit and the next due date are indicated.

A properly serviced fire extinguisher carries a maintenance certificate (test badge). This plaque shows clearly visible:

 

The date of the last check.

 

The date of the next due examination.

 

The identification of the inspector or the specialist company.

 

Make sure that the badge is undamaged and easy to read.

The service life of a fire extinguisher is limited. Depending on the design and manufacturer's specifications, it is usually:

 

Continuous pressure and charging extinguisher: approx. 20 to 25 years

 

CO2 encher: approx. 25 years

 

After this time, the fire extinguisher should be professionally separated and replaced by a new one, regardless of its condition, as the material fatigue represents a safety risk.

Failure to carry out maintenance in the commercial environment constitutes an administrative offence and can be prevented by inspections by authorities (e.g. B. trade inspection) lead to complaints. The consequences in the event of damage are much more serious:

 

Liability risk: The operator is liable for personal injury and property damage caused by or increased by a non-functioning fire extinguisher.

 

Loss of insurance coverage: The insurance company may refuse payment.

 

Threat to human lives: The greatest danger is a fire extinguisher that fails at the decisive moment.