From time to time extinguishers are due for major maintenance that requires them to be opened up and repaired from the inside. Orion Fire Technicians conveniently have extinguishers available for “swap out”. This means that when the customer authorizes the maintenance of a unit, the swap out occurs at that time. The following are some examples of why a swap out might occur: 

​

Due for internal maintenance

The chemical inside the extinguisher that makes it work, has the potential to go bad after a certain amount of time. The extinguisher will need to be opened up and repaired from the inside.  This is called "internal maintenance" and is required for all fire extinguishers. The most common frequency required by regulation for this is once every 6 years. 

 

Due for a hydrostatic test

Fire extinguishers hold a lot of pressure inside as long as the shell of the extinguisher is intact. When the shell becomes damaged the integrity of the shell has been lost, and it must be discarded. The hydrostatic test places the shell of the extinguisher under a tremendous amount of pressure using water. If the shell holds up and does not leak then the extinguisher passes the hydrostatic test and earns itself a passing hydrostatic test label. The most common frequency required by regulation for this is once every 12 years, but can be required more frequently for different extinguisher types.

 

Used / Low on Pressure

In order for a fire extinguisher to work, it needs sufficient pressure inside in order to expel the extinguishing agent. The pressure gauge on a fire extinguisher shows the level of pressure inside of the cylinder. When the dial or "needle" of the pressure gauge points in the red area, this suggests the extinguisher is too low on pressure and is due for service or replacement.

 

Damage to the shell

Fire extinguishers hold a lot of pressure inside as long as the shell of the extinguisher is intact. When the shell becomes damaged the integrity of the shell has been lost, and it must be discarded.  Common examples of loss of integrity to the shell are dents, rust and corrosion.