How often must a maintenance check be performed by a qualified person to inspect fire extinguishers?

How often must a maintenance check be performed by a qualified person to inspect fire extinguishers?

• A. Once a year.
• B. Twice a year.
• C. Every five years.
• D. Every month.

Answer: (A)

An annual maintenance check by a qualified person is required. While monthly visual inspections can be done by the owner or person responsible for the facility to ensure basic accessibility and condition, a more thorough maintenance visit is performed once each year by someone trained to identify and fix issues that could prevent the extinguisher from working properly. This maintenance covers components like the pressure seal, hose and nozzle condition, tamper seal, lever/pin mechanism, and overall integrity, and it may include servicing or recharging if needed. The other intervals don’t meet the standard for a qualified-person maintenance visit: monthly checks are not a full maintenance, and five-year cycles relate to hydrostatic testing rather than the routine annual maintenance.

An annual maintenance check by a qualified person is required. While monthly visual inspections can be done by the owner or person responsible for the facility to ensure basic accessibility and condition, a more thorough maintenance visit is performed once each year by someone trained to identify and fix issues that could prevent the extinguisher from working properly. This maintenance covers components like the pressure seal, hose and nozzle condition, tamper seal, lever/pin mechanism, and overall integrity, and it may include servicing or recharging if needed. The other intervals don’t meet the standard for a qualified-person maintenance visit: monthly checks are not a full maintenance, and five-year cycles relate to hydrostatic testing rather than the routine annual maintenance.