How often do fire extinguishers need professional service?

Annually under NFPA 10, plus monthly visual checks you can do in-house. Most dry chemical extinguishers also need internal maintenance every 6 years and hydrostatic testing every 12 years.

How much does fire extinguisher service cost?

Annual service typically costs $5–$15 per extinguisher on a route service, with minimum trip charges for small counts. Recharges, 6-year teardowns, and hydro tests cost more per unit — often it's cheaper to replace older extinguishers than to test them.

Do I need a Class K extinguisher?

If you have a commercial kitchen with fryers or grills, yes — NFPA 10 requires a Class K extinguisher within 30 feet of the cooking appliances, as a supplement to the hood suppression system.

Can I service my own fire extinguishers?

Monthly visual inspections, yes. Annual maintenance, recharging, and testing must be done by a trained, certified person with the right tools and parts — in most states, that means a licensed extinguisher service company.

Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Recharge & Sales

Portable fire extinguishers are required in virtually every commercial occupancy, and NFPA 10 requires them to be professionally inspected and maintained annually — plus monthly visual checks, periodic internal maintenance, and hydrostatic testing on longer cycles. Our directory connects you with licensed extinguisher service companies for inspections, recharging, testing, and new equipment.

Extinguisher service is the most affordable line item in fire protection, and one of the first things a fire marshal checks: a current service tag on every unit. Many extinguisher companies also service exit lighting and kitchen suppression systems on the same visit.

What these contractors handle

Annual NFPA 10 maintenance and tagging of all portable extinguishers
Recharging after any discharge or at required intervals
6-year internal maintenance and 12-year hydrostatic testing
New extinguisher sales, placement consultation, and mounting
Class-specific coverage: ABC, CO2, Class K kitchen, clean agent, Class D
Service records for the fire marshal and your insurer

Code-required service schedule

Frequency	What's required
Monthly	Visual check — pressure gauge, seal, accessibility (your staff can do this)
Annually	Professional maintenance and new service tag by a licensed company
6 / 12 years	Internal maintenance (6-yr) and hydrostatic shell testing (12-yr) for most dry chemical units

Schedules summarize national NFPA standards; your local fire code and AHJ requirements control. Verify specifics with a licensed local contractor.

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Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Recharge & Sales

What these contractors handle

Code-required service schedule

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