The average cost of a fire extinguisher inspection is between $40 and $100 but that price may also depend on other factors like building size and additional repairs. Without regular fire extinguisher inspections, you could thousands in fines.
If you own a building or business, scheduling a fire extinguisher inspection may fall low on the list of priorities. But fire extinguisher inspections are actually essential to stay compliant with fire and building codes. When it comes to life-saving equipment, it’s important to stay on top of maintenance and ensure it’s operable at all times.
Fire extinguisher inspections are performed by professional fire companies with certified technicians who know the signs of faulty fire extinguishers—and can keep your building up to code.
Here to break down the costs of a fire extinguisher inspection is Jerry, the trusted insurance comparison app
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savings that’s got your back. How much does a fire extinguisher inspection cost?
The average cost of a fire extinguisher inspection is between $40 and $100, but your location and specific needs will help determine the final price.
The size of your building and the extent of the fire extinguisher system can also influence the cost of an inspection, with larger and more extensive systems costing closer to the $100 mark.
But companies generally set their own rates, which can include a service fee, additional fees to inspect each unit, and the cost to recharge or replace any low-pressure or faulty fire extinguishers—so what you pay may vary on a case-by-case basis.
What does a fire extinguisher inspection include?
A fire extinguisher inspection is mainly concerned with three things:
Location. Your fire extinguishers must be located throughout the building, in a clearly visible and accessible area free of obstructions.
Pressure. If your fire extinguishers lack pressure, they may not function as needed in an emergency situation. An inspection will also check the pressure levels in your fire extinguishers, and the technician will recharge any low-pressure units.
Condition. Fire extinguishers can deteriorate over time and usually have a recommended life span. An inspection will let you know if any of your units need to be replaced.
MORE: How long do fire extinguishers last?
Do I need a fire extinguisher inspection?
For most businesses and employers, regular fire extinguisher inspections are mandatory by law. The National Fire Protection Association
and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration
(OSHA) both recommend a fire extinguisher inspection at least once a year—but you’re also mandated to perform a visual inspection once per month. While it may seem tedious, regular fire extinguisher inspections will help you stay compliant with fire codes and maintain the health of your fire extinguishers—both of which are extremely important for health and legal reasons.
For homeowners, fire extinguisher inspections are not required by law. However, it’s highly recommended homeowners inspect their fire extinguishers and smoke alarms often.
Benefits of a fire extinguisher inspection
An added benefit of regular fire extinguisher inspections? They’ll help your units last longer!
Many units fall into disrepair and need to be replaced well before their recommended lifespan simply from a lack of maintenance. By performing regular inspections, you’re actually saving yourself money (the average cost of a new fire extinguisher is between $50 and $100).
Fire extinguisher inspection records
It’s important that you keep a record of your fire extinguisher inspections. At the very least, you should hang on to inspection reports for at least 12 months before getting rid of them. Any records you keep should include the month and year when the inspection took place, as well as the name of the inspector.
What happens if you don’t have a fire extinguisher inspection done?
There are surprisingly stringent punishments in place for businesses and employers who fail to have regular fire extinguisher inspections:
Citations: In most cases, you’ll be written a citation first. The citation will outline what you need to have done and the time period in which you have to comply before a financial fine is imposed. If you fail to have an inspection performed per the citation’s guidelines, you could be facing a fine.
Fines: In some cases, OSHA will not issue a citation first and simply jump straight to fines. OSHA fines are issued per violation, meaning for every faulty fire extinguisher you have, you could be fined up to $7,000—so it’s imperative you have them done often and maintain the proof of your inspection!
Common fire extinguisher violations
What’s a fine-able offense for your fire extinguisher? Below are some of the most common types of violations:
Not enough signage or incorrect signage
The fire extinguisher is blocked/not easily accessible
There are not enough fire extinguishers present for the size of your building
The fire extinguisher is damaged or rusty
The pressure gauge is too low
The pressure gauge is too high
The inspection tag has expired
The fire extinguisher is not mounted or installed at the wrong height
The hanger/bracket is incorrect for the type of fire extinguisher you have
How to perform a fire extinguisher inspection
You only need to have your fire extinguishers professionally inspected once a year—but you should be performing visual inspections yourself at least once a month. You don’t need to be certified or trained to visually inspect a fire extinguisher. Anyone can do it by following the steps below:
Make sure your fire extinguisher is in its designated place.
Ensure visible signage is present to indicate where each fire extinguisher is located.
Make sure there are no obstacles in the way of the fire extinguisher.
Check the pressure gauge, making sure the dial falls within the operable range. For non-rechargeable units, you can test the pressure using the “push-to-test” indicator. If you have a wheeled fire extinguisher unit, you’ll also want to inspect the condition of the wheels, hose, nozzle, and carriage at this time.
Weigh the extinguisher to make sure it’s full.
And that’s it! Remember, performing visual fire extinguisher inspections is important for the health and safety of yourself, your building, and others in the event of an emergency—and it can also save you money.
Fire extinguisher maintenance
While anyone can perform a visual inspection of a fire extinguisher, maintenance is another story. If your visual inspection turns up problems with your fire extinguisher, such as a low-pressure gauge or broken nozzle, you’ll need to call a certified professional to make necessary repairs.
When hiring someone to perform fire extinguisher maintenance, make sure to work with an AHJ-certified technician. At the very least, you’ll need someone who’s familiar with NFPA 10
, which is the standard code for portable fire extinguishers. How to save on homeowner’s insurance
For homeowners, fire extinguisher inspections aren’t mandatory—but doing them is one way to unlock the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is protected.
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