Fire Extinguisher Verification

Full Brim Safety: Build Smart, Build Safe

Author

The Safety Man
January 13, 2026

Fire Extinguisher Verification

Welcome back, let’s Build Smart & Build Safe! The presence of a fire extinguisher on a job site does not constitute fire protection if the equipment is non-functional. Many companies treat fire extinguishers as "set and forget" items, assuming they will work simply because they are present. Under OSHA 1910.157, employers are responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and testing of all portable fire extinguishers.

This requires two levels of oversight: a monthly visual inspection by site personnel and an annual maintenance check by a certified professional.

Monthly Visual Inspection Standards

A monthly inspection is a verification that the extinguisher is available, fully charged, and operable. If any of the following criteria are not met, the unit must be replaced immediately.

  • Pressure Gauge: The needle must be firmly within the green "operable" zone. Temperature fluctuations on-site can cause pressure to drop or rise into the "recharge" or "overcharged" zones.

  • The Pull Pin and Tamper Seal: These components ensure the extinguisher has not been tampered with or partially discharged. A missing pull pin or a broken plastic tamper seal suggests the unit may lack the propellant necessary to discharge the agent.

  • Physical Condition: Inspect the cylinder for dents, corrosion, or leakage. In a construction environment, extinguishers are often subjected to impacts or corrosive materials that can compromise the pressure vessel.

  • Discharge Path: Check the hose and nozzle for obstructions. Insects, mud, or debris frequently clog the nozzle, which will cause the unit to fail or even rupture during use.

Verification and Documentation

Documentation is the only legal proof that an inspection occurred. A failure to log a monthly inspection is a common citation during OSHA audits.

Component

Requirement

Frequency

Inspection Tag

Must be signed and dated by the inspector.

Monthly

Maintenance Tag

Professional certification of internal contents and pressure.

Annually

Hydrostatic Test

Pressure testing of the cylinder integrity.

Every 5 or 12 years (per type)

Implementation: The "Access" Rule

A functional extinguisher is useless if it is inaccessible. Many companies allow extinguishers to be buried under scrap material or blocked by equipment.

  1. Visibility: Extinguishers must be mounted in a highly visible location, typically indicated by a sign or red paint on the wall/column.

  2. Obstruction: Maintain a 36-inch clearance around the unit.

  3. Height: Extinguishers weighing less than 40 lbs should be installed so that the top is no more than 5 feet above the floor.

Please share us with your friends for a daily dose of construction safety tips!

-The Safety Man