I have been searching for an answer to this all morning. All i get is reference to BS5306-3 but i do not have this document and cannot locate any guidance material on it. I'm looking to clarify what the current requirements are for the inspection and maintenance of extinguishers. I know it says every 12 months for all extinguishers (+/- 1 month) including the extinguisher being weighed. Is it correct that all water and water based extinguishers have a discharge every 5 years? C02 is there a 5 yearly pressure test requirement? Powder every 10 years? There seems to be so many different requirements listed out there that contradict each other. I have looked at Fire Risk Assessment factories guidance document for guidance but nothing within it as far as i can see. Any advice would be great help!

Hope this helps British Standard BS5306 Part 3 2009 Maintenance Overview Other than those extinguishers for which the standard provides no maintenance schedule which should be condemned, portable fire extinguishers should be serviced as set out in this standard. The maintenance cycle for extinguishers should consist of the following key stages: •Visual inspection by the responsible person, conducted at least monthly. •Basic service by Competent Person, conducted at least on an annual basis. •Extended service & overhauls including discharge testing or refurbishing, which, except for CO2 extinguishers and a few certain other exceptions, are carried out after the first five years, and then at five yearly intervals thereafter •Replacement, which should be performed by no later than at age 20 years. Basic Service by a Competent Person The basic service by the Competent Person, should be conducted at least annually (or some higher frequency if determined by risk assessment) and will include, depending on extinguisher type, the following: •External examination for signs of corrosion, dents, splits, gauges or other damage. •Examination and checking of pressure indicating devices. •Measurement of pressure, weight, etc to ensure that there is the correct amount of both medium and propellant gas. •Checking of all applicable parts to ensure good working order (this will include removal of the safety pin, BS 5306-3:2009 compliant pull-tag and other anti-tamper indicators, which, in many cases, will need replacing). •Mandatory replacement of washers, ‘O’ rings, seals and diaphragms for horns, nozzles, hoses and valves whenever these components are removed. In addition to the basic service of the equipment as above, the Competent Person is also required to make any recommendations to ensure adequate and appropriate cover in compliance with BS 5306-8:2000.

I thought CO2 was - 10 year first service inc. recharge, then every 5 years?

CO2 extinguishers MUST be examined every year to check that it is still at the correct weight, that the nozzle is not loose so as to prevent injury. It is normally cheaper to replace a CO2 extinguisher than to pressure test and refill an extinguisher. What I would advise people to do is to insist that when service engineers empty the extinguishers, that staff are shown how to operate them, instead of just being emptied.