How often should fire extinguishers be inspected and tested?
Portable and wheeled fire extinguishers sit under Section 10 of AS 1851-2012, with six-monthly and yearly inspection routines covering pressure, weight, condition, hose and horn, seals, signage, mounting and access, plus a five-yearly service. What that five-yearly involves depends on the extinguisher type, so we confirm it unit by unit rather than applying one rule across the whole site. Extinguishers are also recharged after any use, however brief. Every result is recorded, not just a new tag.
When should fire extinguishers be pressure tested?
At the five-yearly service, and the detail depends on the extinguisher type. Broadly, stored pressure extinguishers are discharged, internally inspected, refilled and recharged, and cylinders are pressure tested where the type and service history require it. Any provider quoting one blanket rule for every unit on your site is guessing. Safe QLD manages the whole cycle including loan units, so your building is never left without coverage while cylinders are away.
What types of fire extinguishers are available, and which should I use?
Common types include ABE dry chemical (Class A, B and E fires), CO2 (ideal for electrical fires), foam (effective on flammable liquids), water (Class A combustible materials) and wet chemical (cooking oils and fats). The right mix depends on your building's risks. Safe QLD assesses your site and recommends compliant coverage under AS 2444.
Is it mandatory to have fire extinguishers in commercial buildings?
For the overwhelming majority of commercial buildings, yes. What must be installed, where and of what type comes from the National Construction Code and AS 2444, assessed against the building's classification and the hazards in it. In Queensland, once installed they become a prescribed fire safety installation under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, and the occupier must keep them maintained by a licensed technician.
