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Phil Martin
Member - 3 posts
Frank,
Broadly speaking extinguishers have an unlimited life. Some types (CO2) need to be hydraulically tested. If the extinguisher is regularly serviced this would be at ten years from new. That’s probably where the “Ten Years” you mention comes from. Because hydraulic testing is a specialist operation it can not be done on site. Common practice is for service companies to offer a service exchange. You get a second hand cylinder which has been tested, fitted with a new valve, repainted and refilled. Often these are indistinguishable from new apart from the date stamp on the cylinder bodies.
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Phil Martin
Member - 3 posts
The following free downloads may help with fire safety:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/151543.pdf
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/322721.pdf
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_App_Doc_B_v2.pdf
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADM_2004.pdf
The first two give general advice and the second two are to do with building regulations.
Phil
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Phil Martin
Member - 3 posts
Linda,
The general rule is that extinguishers should have a “Basic” service every year and an “Extended” service every 5 years to comply with BS5306 Part 3. A Dry Powder would require an extended service which would include a test discharge. Test discharging and refilling a DP extinguisher is a messy and time consuming operation. There are also quality issues with some extinguishers. The simple solution offered by most extinguisher service organisations is to “Offer” a service exchange. They take your old extinguisher and leave you with a factory recondition one. This is to everyone’s advantage but the service company should make this clear at the time, obtain authority and recorded it on the service report. Your service company may have acted in good faith.
Phil
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