NFPA 10 Fire Extinguisher Inspection Requirements — The Complete Guide

Every portable fire extinguisher in a commercial building must be inspected. Here's exactly what NFPA 10 requires, who can do the work, and how to stay compliant.

Three levels of inspection under NFPA 10

Monthly Visual Inspection (NFPA 10 §7.2)

Frequency: Every 30 days. Performed by: Building owner, maintenance staff, or designated employee. No certification required.

The inspector verifies:

• Extinguisher is in its designated location (hasn't been moved or blocked)
• Access is unobstructed and extinguisher is visible
• Operating instructions on nameplate are legible and facing outward
• Safety seals and tamper indicators are not broken or missing
• No obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle
• Pressure gauge reading is in the operable range (green zone for stored-pressure extinguishers)
• Fullness determined by weighing or hefting (for non-gauge extinguishers)
• Condition of tires, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle checked (for wheeled extinguishers)

Documentation: Record the date and initials on the inspection tag or in an electronic log.

Annual Maintenance Inspection (NFPA 10 §7.3)

Frequency: Every 12 months. Performed by: Certified fire extinguisher technician. Certification required.

Includes all monthly checks plus:

• Remove the extinguisher from its bracket or cabinet
• Check the date of manufacture and last internal maintenance
• Verify the hydrostatic test date (6-year internal, 12-year hydro for most types)
• Check weight against the weight stamped on the nameplate
• Inspect the hose, nozzle, and discharge lever for proper operation
• Check that the extinguisher type matches the hazard classification of the area
• Verify that the mounting bracket is secure and at the proper height
• Clean the extinguisher and reattach the tag
• Complete a new annual maintenance tag with all required information

Internal Maintenance & Hydrostatic Testing

• 6-Year Internal Examination (NFPA 10 §7.3.3.1): Stored-pressure extinguishers that require a 12-year hydro test must have an internal examination at the 6-year mark from the date of manufacture.
• 12-Year Hydrostatic Testing (NFPA 10 §8.3): Most stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers require hydrostatic testing every 12 years. CO2 extinguishers require testing every 5 years.
• Both procedures must be performed at a certified facility — not in the field.

Record keeping requirements

NFPA 10 requires that inspection records be maintained. At minimum, the tag or label on each extinguisher must show:

• Month and year the maintenance was performed
• Person or company performing the work
• Identification of the extinguisher serviced

Digital records are acceptable and increasingly preferred by AHJs and insurance companies.