How long is a fire extinguisher still usable? How do you safely dispose of an old one?

Answer 1

Fire Extinguishers can stay "usable" for a long time. I have seen some sit over over a decade and still be fine.

Remeber these few important tips:

1. Once you use a fire extinguisher, no matter how much of it you have used, it must be taken in and recharged, if it is the rechargeable type.

2. Keep an eye on the pressure guage (on all units but CO2) and make sure it's in the "operable" range. Make sure the "pin" is in place and sealed there.

3. Once a year, commercial locations should have thier units checked and recertified by a professional.

4. Every six years, dry chemical and halogenated agents should be taken in, emptied, and recharged. (This is a requiement in a commerical application.)

5. Every five years, water and CO2, units need taken in and hydrostatically tested.

6. Every 12 years, the halogenated agent and dry chemicals will come due for thier hydrotest.

7. When in doubt, ask a professional to take a look at the unit.

8. To find a fire extinguihser service location near you, try the yellow pages under fire extinguishers.

9. Most of those service locations will dispose of one for no charge if it's not worth keeping.

Answer 2

usually a dry chemical fire extinguisher would be permitted to stay in a year, but after that it should be refilled. it would still be usable but still the guaranteed effectivity of the chemical lasts for one year.

some liquid type stays for five years.

Answer 3

go to your fire dept. they would probably help you out greatfully. Take the fire extinguisher with you.