Fire not my specialism. Obviously annual maintenence by a competent person (and regular visual checks) but are there other requirements? I'm specifically thinking about the need for periodic discharge every 5 years?? Nothing in the Fire Guide. A company trying to make a buck or a requirement??? Enlightenment on the subject appreciated by those in the know. With thanks.

Covered in BS 5306 Part 3 2009. Visual inspection by client each month. Basic service at each 12 months Extended service for Water/faom/Powder including test discharge each 5 years from date of commissioning or initially 6 years from date of manufacturer (whichever is the sooner) Extended service for primary sealed powder, halon, Co2 including test discharge each 10 years from date of commissioning or initially 11 years from date of manufacturer (whichever is the sooner) Service of Halon extinguishers may only be carried out if the extinguisher meets the criteria of the “critical uses” in Annex VII of EC Regulation 2037/2000 Intervals for CO2 extinguishers: BS EN 1802:2002 (Clause 5), BS EN 1803:2002 (Clause 5), and BS EN 1968:2002 (Clause 5) require that the stamped date of manufacture or last overhaul be used.