Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

[JimS123]

In a recent thread (I don't remember which one) someone replied that fire extinguishers must be replaced 10 years after the date on the label. Since one of mine is already 28 years old I did a little R&D since I never heard that before.

The old regs called for "servicing" by monthly weight checks. Since the newer units have pressure guages that is no longer necessary - just check the pressure.

As luck would have it, I took a USCGA inspection today at the dock and the officer passed me with flying colors - even though the date on my FE was 1984!

46 CFR 25 specifies no date requirement. Anybody have a link to the 10 year requirement?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

I think this is the thread your talking about

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=549217&p=3771610#post3771610

 

[NYBo]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

There is nothing in the VSC (vessel safety check) rules regarding the age of fire extinguishers. They must be without obvious damage and properly charged. Mounting is optional but recommended. Spent all morning doing VSCs so the rules are kind of fresh in my mind.

That being said, I wouldn't trust an over-age extinguisher to be functional due to caking of the chemicals.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

Years ago I worked with a VFD and its a common known problem and easly solved, the powder in dry type will cake but all it takes in 5 minutes of shaking them to losen it back up. The one I have in use is from around 95 or so and it gets shaken at least 2 times a season. It is part of their maintane.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

You will see an official LOOKING message on some of the packaging (box) they come in, says to replace 10 years after the date on the bottom of the unit.

Just a manufacturers suggestion as far as I can tell.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

I can't believe that something as important and inexpensive as a fire extinguisher, would elicit this kind of discussion. Unless this is all academic, and no one actually believes that keeping decades old extinguishers is an intelligent practice; I would expect wisdom and common sense to prevail, and consider shortening one's replacement intervals. Just my .03 worth.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

I agree, for no more than they cost and what they can save you it does make alot of sense to just pony up the $17 and be SURE it will work.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

I can't believe that something as important and inexpensive as a fire extinguisher, would elicit this kind of discussion. Unless this is all academic, and no one actually believes that keeping decades old extinguishers is an intelligent practice; I would expect wisdom and common sense to prevail, and consider shortening one's replacement intervals. Just my .03 worth.

The common recommendation is to shake them as already stated. Doing that and checking the gauge should be part of the regimin. With that as common knowledge, the common sense of throwing it out must come from someone more knowledgeable in the subject.

I have had several extinguishers over the years start to lose pressure so that the guage was in the red. That was a good time to teach the kids how to use them. In each case, they worked just fine.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

As far as fire extinguishers (service and use), I have a bit more experience than others. When discussing the standard portable dry chemical extinguisher, the main points are:

When first purchased, as long as the gauge reads in the 'green' charged area, it is considered safe for use, BUT it still requires the purchaser to have the extinguisher tagged for it's annual inspection. Most manufacturers include an annual inspection tag in the packaging and the new owner must punch out the month/date on the tag.

Annual inspections are required on all portable extinguishers (again, the owners responsibility), although I have never had a CG inspection where they checked or cared about the date. The usually just check the size of the units and the pressure settings. An annual inspection by certified extinguisher repair personnel consists of checking the hose (if equipped) and nozzle for blockage/damage, the pressure of the extinguisher (by gauge reading or by weight), obvious damage to the cylinder, and by flipping the unit upside down and hitting the bottom with a rubber mallet to break up any caking of the powder. A new tag is then affixed to show the inspection date and you're good for another year.

They are also required to be in conspicuous areas and readily accessible to all aboard. Don't ever 'test' an extinguisher. Once you break the seal, if if you only discharge a bit of product, the pressure will fall to '0' over a few days. If you want to learn how to properly use one, contact your local FD and arrange a free demonstration.

I don't ever worry about the age of a unit. As long as the annual inspections are kept up and the extinguisher is free from rust, damage, etc., it should be just fine. We used to activate 30+ year old units all the time when they were found. I never had one fail.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

BUT it still requires the purchaser to have the extinguisher tagged for it's annual inspection.

'Who' would be requiring an annual inspection of the unserviceable unit on my boat? Have to ask since it's apparently not the USCG ...

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Fire Extinguisher Replacement Date???

I, too, do the hand held extinguisher maintenance a couple of times a year, by thumping the bottom, shaking / agitating the powder and physically inspecting the nozzle and gauge. In the commercial world, the extinguishers should be pressure tested (in a water tank) every 5 years. The low cost of the hand helds used in a boat, make this a pricey test vs: buying a new one.

My built in extinguisher is a 20 year old Halon unit, that I removed and had inspected / weighed by an extinguisher vendor last year. I wasn't about to do away with the Halon tank, due to the high cost of replacement with costly larger unit with newer extinguishing agent with the same extinguishing capacity of the smaller Halon unit. I'll replace if and when the old unit is no longer servicable.

I do not recall ever seeing a requirement for "tagging" units used for pleasure boats. Commercial and "boats for hire", yes, but pleasure, No.

As far as a manufacturer "suggested replacement time frame", that is sales and marketing 101. Expire unit to satisfy the corporate lawers and sell more extinguishers.