We all know the importance of having fire extinguishers on site, but how often should they be serviced? In this blog we talk you through everything you need to know.
Fire extinguishers are a vital piece of your fire safety system, working to protect your business site, staff and visitors from harm if a fire did break out. Fire extinguishers are incredibly effective in putting out fire and therefore it’s important to ensure they remain in good working condition. The need for readily available and functional fire fighting equipment is clearly illustrated by the latest UK government fire and rescue incident statistics for England, which show that Fire and Rescue Services attended 38,144 building fires in the year ending December 2024 alone, underscoring the constant risk to commercial premises.
Servicing your fire extinguishers should therefore take place every 12 months by a third party accredited fire extinguisher engineer, in line with British Standards. You should also carry out regular visual inspections, at least once a month, that check for any damage, loss or tampering. Knowing how to use these devices effectively is also paramount, which is why regular staff training on types of fire extinguishers and fire fighting procedures is just as crucial as the maintenance itself, something we cover in detail through our fire safety training services.
Fire extinguisher servicing regulations are set by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which mandates that the ‘Responsible Person’ must ensure fire fighting equipment is properly maintained. They state that a ‘basic service’ on all fire extinguishers must be carried out every 12 months in accordance with BS 5306 (specifically BS 5306-3 for maintenance). This standard is the UK’s benchmark for the commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers, ensuring compliance and reliability. Non-compliance with these regulations carries significant risk; recent legal penalties have seen businesses and individuals fined substantial amounts, with some high-profile cases resulting in fines exceeding £100,000 for serious breaches, reinforcing the need for strict adherence to the law.
Beyond the legal and moral obligation to protect life, proper maintenance is also vital for ensuring your business continuity and maintaining your insurance validity. Insurers look closely at certified maintenance records when assessing claims following a fire incident, making professional servicing a critical part of your overall risk management strategy. This is particularly important for high-risk environments such as those in the factory or waste management sectors, where materials and operations present increased fire hazards.
When your fire extinguishers are serviced, the engineer will typically check the general workings of the extinguisher to confirm its operational readiness. This process, which should align with BS 5306-3:2017, is comprehensive and methodical. The engineer will check the pressure gauge (if applicable), the head cap safety pin, and perform visual checks for signs of corrosion or damage to the cylinder, hose, and nozzle.
They will also change any O rings and replace any necessary parts such as the hose, ensuring a perfect seal and optimal performance. For stored pressure extinguishers, a mass check is performed to ensure the extinguishing agent is still at the required weight. Crucially, the engineer will then complete and sign the maintenance label on each extinguisher that states the service history of the unit, providing an indispensable audit trail of compliance. Furthermore, the selection and positioning of the extinguishers are also assessed against the most recent standard, BS 5306-8:2023, which introduced important new guidance on the use of extinguishers, including those for fires involving lithium-ion batteries in small mobile devices, a growing concern as highlighted by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
We believe in a proactive approach, which means our engineers also provide advice on mitigating common issues like accidental discharge or tampering, helping you maintain a “security first” culture in your workplace, an approach you can read more about in our blog: How to Build a Security-First Culture in Your Workplace.
Yes, the full servicing schedule varies significantly depending on the type of extinguisher and the extinguishing medium it contains. These more intensive services are designed to ensure the internal integrity of the cylinder and the continued effectiveness of the contents over its lifespan, which you can learn more about by reading our article on The Importance of Regular Fire Extinguisher Inspections.
Understanding these different maintenance cycles is paramount for Responsible Persons, especially those managing diverse environments such as leisure centres or large education facilities, where various fire risks necessitate a mix of extinguisher types.
At BusinessWatch, we carry out a comprehensive service plan in full accordance with the current BS 5306 standards to ensure your extinguishers are kept in good condition and will last for years to come. Our engineers are all third-party accredited and work to the highest industry standards, giving you peace of mind that your life safety equipment is always ready for a crisis. We can also integrate your fire extinguisher maintenance records into our Connected Managed Services platform, providing a single, digital audit trail for all your fire and security assets. If you are also considering other fire safety aspects, such as the critical role of your fire alarm system, you may find our blog on Wired vs. Wireless Fire Alarm Systems helpful.
Get in touch to find out more about our tailored maintenance contracts.
