Does anyone know how long can a fire extinguisher can be kept in the past it wishes recharge or service? I have a regular household extinguisher and would approaching to know...
I have a regular household extinguisher and would approaching to know if there is an expiration date or shelf enthusiasm before their celebration drops. I have never used it and the plunger on the gauge is contained by the fully charged zone, but it seems to be closer to the discard/replace zone. There is no shelf existence or expiration date on the bottle.
Answers: Fire extinguishers should be inspected and tested annually per NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. But, most of the home based extinguishers are plastic and cannot be tested or re-serviced. Check your local directory for a fire extinguisher servicing company. You can help yourself to the extinguisher to them and they can tell you if it can be checked or if you have need of a new one.
Impact loading is NOT recommended, such as hitting the bottom beside a rubber mallet. This is why NFPA recommend having your extinguishers inspected & tested by a quallified technician. Impact loading an extinguisher can cause the cylinder to rupture causing it to become a projectile and possibly hurting or slaughter you. DON'T DO IT!! Have it inspected & tested proessionally.
If it is an ABC dry chemical extinguisher, take a rubber tack hammer, turn the extinguisher upside down and hit the underneath a couple of times to unsettle the dry powder. You should be able to hear the powder release and move. The extinguisher should own a gauge and as long as it registers contained by the normal zone (meaning you own pressure inside) - you should be good to budge. A good feature fire extinguisher will last 10 years or more.
They should be checked annually - but the check largely consists of the mallet treatment I described above. A well brought-up quality extinguisher can be refill if the gauge is within the refill zone or it have been discharged.