Have You Had Your Fire Extinguisher Hydro Test?

As fire extinguishers age, they require specific services to ensure they can continue to keep your building safe. In addition to annual professional inspections and monthly self-inspections, you need to have a test called a hydrostatic test every 12 years.

Fire Extinguisher Hydrostatic Testing

During a hydrostatic test, your fire extinguisher cylinder will be emptied of extinguishing material, filled up with colored water, and charged to test pressure, which is significantly higher than your extinguisher’s normal operating pressure. During the test, your extinguisher will be inspected for leaks, dents, shape changes, and other signs that its operation may be compromised. If no issues come up, your fire extinguisher will last for several more years (provided you continue to have required inspections).

Benefits of Hydrostatic Testing

While fire extinguishers are generally reliable, they become more prone to damage and malfunction as they get older. Because the material inside is kept at high pressure, aging fire extinguishers may explode if not tested properly.

Cracked fire extinguishers may also leak pressure that will cause them to not work when you need them. This situation is almost more dangerous – you know when an extinguisher explodes, but you may not be able to tell if your extinguisher is depressurized until it’s too late.

A fire extinguisher hydrostatic test is designed to find any flaws in your fire extinguisher so that you can either repair the damages or replace the whole extinguisher.

If you own an aging fire extinguisher, a fire extinguisher hydro test is essential for making sure your fire extinguisher will be able to protect you when you need it most. If you want to schedule a fire extinguisher hydro test in Maryland, Washington, DC or Virginia, call Guardian Fire Protection today!