Do fire departments recharge fire extinguishers?

Do fire departments recharge fire extinguishers?

Some fire departments will recharge them for a fee, however, more and more fire departments are opting not to recharge fire extinguishers due to the cost and liability. If you want your fire extinguisher recharged, then you should consider contacting a certified fire extinguisher repair company or technician.

Do fire stations recharge fire extinguishers?

This article mentions that refillable fire extinguishers have a metal valve, rather than a plastic one. You may also want to check with your local fire department – some of them will refill it for free. The cost trade off should be about $15 for a refill, or $60-115 for a new one.

Do fire extinguishers expire?

Even if there's no expiration date, it won't last forever. Manufacturers say most extinguishers should work for 5 to 15 years, but you might not know if you got yours three years ago or 13.

What do you do with an empty fire extinguisher?

For fully or partially charged fire extinguishers, call your local fire department and ask if you can drop off expired fire extinguishers at the firehouse. If they don't accept old canisters, take your extinguishers to a hazardous waste disposal facility.

Can you reuse a fire extinguisher?

A fire extinguisher can be used more than once, depending on the brand and type. Once the fire extinguisher has been used, even for a small amount of time, it should be recharged or refilled. This can be done at a certified fire equipment dealer or a firehouse.

How do you test a fire extinguisher?

Most fire extinguishers should have a pressure gauge with a red section and a green section. If the needle is in the green, you're good. If your extinguishers don't have a pressure gauge and you want to test them, press in the pin. If it pops back up, the extinguisher is pressurized.

When a fire extinguisher has been used, it must be recharged for only a few minutes to remain effective for the next fire. Most fire departments either have the equipment available on site to recharge extinguishers, or you may have to approach a professional fire equipment manufacturer to do the job.