Gorham Fire Appliance Co FAQs

Fire extinguishers cannot be repaired in most circumstances. Often, people actually mean fire extinguisher recharge when they refer to repair. If there is no damage to the fire extinguisher, then you can refill the same canister. However, once the extinguisher has been used, you must recharge it.

Recharge should be done by a certified fire extinguisher service company that is local to you. The company will perform inspection and maintenance as required, depending on the age of the fire extinguisher.

Every month, all portable extinguishers must be visually inspected. According to the National Fire Protection Association, they should be inspected more frequently if they are installed in locations where they are more prone to rust, impact, or tampering. Additionally, all extinguishers must be subjected to an annual maintenance check. Records of the annual maintenance must be maintained. There are specific requirements for hydrostatic testing for refillable extinguishers which are typically performed by the fire extinguisher maintenance contractor.

As a general rule, you should inspect your fire extinguishers on a monthly basis. These monthly checks don’t need to be anything significant -- just take a look and make sure the fire extinguisher is in good condition and that the gauge indicates that the canister is sufficiently pressurized for proper usage.

Although they don't have a true "expiration date," a traditional fire extinguisher generally has a 10 to 12-year life expectancy.