Published 5 Sep 2023
What is a Fire Extinguisher Checklist?
A fire extinguisher checklist is a tool used by safety officers and facility managers when conducting scheduled fire extinguisher inspections. Also called a fire extinguisher inspection form, it allows inspectors to record details about the fire extinguishers such as label and maintenance tags. Other observations could be documented as well such as the exact location and its current condition. Employers are required to provide fire extinguishers in the workplace and have it inspected every month. This lowers risks, prevents any issues, and injuries in the event that a fire extinguisher is needed. Follow all steps in the checklist for a thorough inspection and proper documentation.
In this article
- Why Use Fire Extinguisher Checklists?
- Fire Extinguisher Self Inspection Checklist
- What Should be Done During Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspections?
- What Should be Recorded on a Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist?
- How to Conduct Regular Fire Extinguisher Inspections Efficiently?
- FAQs about Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklists
- Powerful Tool to Ensure Regular and Efficient Fire Extinguisher Inspections
- Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklists
Why Use Fire Extinguisher Checklists?
Fire extinguisher checklists help inspectors proactively identify signs of issues that may render extinguishers unfit for use in an actual emergency. Employers are required by law to have the portable fire extinguishers visually inspected monthly. Failure to comply can lead to penalties and puts the employees and the workplace in serious risk in the event of an incident.
Fire Extinguisher Self Inspection Checklist
In order to meet requirements related to annual or monthly fire extinguisher inspections, individuals also have the option to utilize a fire extinguisher self-inspection checklist or a general fire self-inspection checklists that include a review of extinguishers. Similar to this Gates Fire District Self-Inspection Form Checklist which reviews grounds, interior doors, stairways, heating, air conditioning equipment, electrical equipment, control panels, housekeeping, and fire protection.
What Should be Done During Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspections?
The following parts are checked and tasks are completed during monthly fire extinguisher inspections. These are done not only for compliance with the law but also because employers need to ensure that the extinguishers are going to work in case of a fire.
- Make sure that the maintenance tag is valid.
- The fire extinguisher is mounted in an easily accessible place with no debris or material stacked in front of it.
- Safety pin is in place and intact. Nothing else should be used in place of the pin.
- Label, extinguisher type, and instructions should be easy to read.
- Extinguisher handle is intact and not bent or broken.
- Pressure gauge is in the green and is not damaged or showing “recharge.”
- The discharge hoses/nozzle is in good shape and not clogged, cracked, or broken.
- Make sure it is full by turning it upside down at least three times.
- Location of extinguisher is easily identifiable by signs.
- Dust and wipe down the extinguisher.
- Indicate the overall condition of the extinguisher if pass or fail.
- Sign and enter the date of the monthly inspection on the annual maintenance tag.
These 12 steps are found in this fire extinguisher checklist format that can be downloaded for free.
What Should be Recorded on a Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist?
Fire extinguisher inspection checklists help inspectors conduct and record their monthly and yearly checks with due diligence, preventing them from missing crucial points in checking if fire extinguishers are in good working condition. Here are what a checklist typically contains based on a monthly fire extinguisher inspection form:
Information about the fire extinguisher
Inspectors need to know and record the exact location of the extinguisher as well as the following—serial number, manufacture and expiry date, type, size, and rating of the fire extinguisher.
Details of the visual inspection
Does the extinguisher have a valid maintenance tag that is signed and dated? Is the extinguisher accessible and its safety pin is intact with the handle not bent or broken? Other information to note are—label should be clear, pressure gauge as at green, hoses in good condition, and if the extinguisher is full.
Confirmation of inspection
The inspector should sign and include the date on the fire extinguisher inspection checklist to confirm the completion of the inspection. Also, if applicable, sign the inspection tag of the fire extinguisher.
How to Conduct Regular Fire Extinguisher Inspections Efficiently?
Crucial in maintaining the safety of the workplace and complying with regulations, regular fire extinguisher inspections need not be too tedious or time-consuming. Follow these 5 key steps in inspecting fire extinguishers and conduct your checks with efficiency.
1. Check the accessibility
Do a visual check and assess the visibility and accessibility of the fire extinguisher:
- Fire extinguishers should not be blocked by other objects so that they’re easy to see and access in case of an emergency.
- Secure portable fire extinguishers in a specific location to prevent them from being relocated when not in use.
2. Check the physical state of the fire extinguisher
Pick up the fire extinguisher and check for physical defects or anything that your checklists instructs to look for such as:
- The cylinder’s external metal parts should have no signs of damage or corrosion.
- The connection between the cylinder and the hose should be secure.
- The locking pin is secure and goes through the holes of the discharge lever and handle.
3. Check the pressure gauge
The needle of the pressure gauge should be within the green zone. A needle in the left red zone means the fire extinguisher is undercharged while a needle in the right red zone means the cylinder is overcharged. Take care when handling pressure vessels such as fire extinguishers.
4. Check the inspection tag
The inspection tag should be available and shows the signature and date/s when the fire extinguisher is inspected.
5. Corrective action taken for issues found should be included in the inspection report
Summarize observations, record corrective actions, and sign the fire extinguisher inspection tag (if available) with your name/signature and date of inspection.
Want to learn more about fire extinguisher inspections such as the most common issues identified? Click here. We also prepared a PDF guide to show you what a completed monthly fire extinguisher inspection looks like.
FAQs about Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklists
When conducting the monthly inspection checks, account for the following items and make sure that they are functioning as they should be:
- Location and accessibility
- Manufacture and expiry date
- Maintenance tag
- Safety pin
- Label
- Handle
- Pressure gauge
- Discharge hose/nozzle
Fire extinguishers should be inspected when they are initially installed, and once every month after that. This is according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Depending on the severity of the issue found, inspectors have the option to either repair the broken part, remove obstructions if there are, or replace the fire extinguisher altogether if it’s too damaged.
Powerful Tool to Ensure Regular and Efficient Fire Extinguisher Inspections
It is crucial to maintaining the safety of the workplace and staying compliant with regulations to be consistent and diligent when conducting scheduled fire extinguisher inspections. SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) can help safety officers and inspectors ensure that all important points to be checked are looked into and that fire extinguisher inspections are done regularly. With the SafetyCulture app, you can:
- Make sure to record observations and take photos for visual evidence
- Immediately act on urgent issues found while conducting inspections
- Streamline workflows and do not miss another scheduled fire extinguisher inspection again
- Automatically record the inspections and have date and timestamps to prove completion
- Cloud storage for easy reference on all past fire extinguisher inspections
- Download, edit, or create your own fire extinguisher inspection templates with ease!
Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklists
Fire Extinguisher Inspection Checklist
This fire extinguisher inspection checklist is used to sufficiently do a fire extinguisher inspection in less than 3 minutes. Use this checklist to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations by checking that fire extinguishers are in good working order and up to code. You can download and, if you wish, customize this checklist according to your inspection needs.
Use this fire extinguisher inspection checklist to check the following about the fire extinguisher:
- Easy to locate with a signage above
- Elevated from the ground and free from obstruction
- Tank and external parts are free of corrosion and damage
- Nozzle shows no sign of leakage
- Locking pin is intact
- Seal is present and not broken
- Pressure gauge is within the green range
Fire Extinguisher Inspection Form (Annual)
This annual fire extinguisher template can be used to determine if the equipment has undergone proper maintenance. It can be used by approved extinguisher servicing professionals to identify defects and whether remedial action is required. It records the date the inspection was performed by an authorized person and documents the last inspections conducted and conditions needed to be checked e.g. mechanical parts, agent and expelling means.
SafetyCulture can help you track the progress of equipment meeting the right maintenance standards by using our Online Analytics tool.
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Checklist
This fire extinguisher maintenance checklist is used to document two important processes after fire extinguisher maintenance: 1) Recharging and 2) Hydrostatic Testing. The interval of these procedures vary depending on what type of extinguisher is inspected (e.g. CO2 Fire Extinguishers are recharged every 5 years, while Water Extinguishers are recharged annually). This is conducted by a safety official from an authorized extinguisher company.
Fire extinguisher inspection checklists can be customized to fit your needs.
Fire Door Inspection Form
This fire door inspection template can be used to check the fire-rating and compliance of all fire doors in a building. Take photo evidence of non-compliant doors and use SafetyCulture’s annotation feature to reveal damages and regulation breaches. Complete the report by providing a digital signature.