Fire extinguishers can also expire! Three key points for the maintenance of dry powder fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are essential firefighting equipment for homes, offices, and vehicles, but many people think that "you can use them for a lifetime after buying them." In fact, dry powder fire extinguishers also have a shelf life. If they are not inspected and maintained for a long time, they may not be used normally at critical moments!

What is the "shelf life" of dry powder fire extinguishers?

National standards stipulate:

Maintenance cycle: The first inspection is required after 5 years of leaving the factory, and then every 2 years

Mandatory scrapping: Starting from the date of leaving the factory, it must be eliminated after 10 years (even if it is not used)

Note: If the pressure gauge pointer enters the red area (insufficient pressure), or the bottle body is rusted and deformed, it must be sent for inspection or replacement immediately!

3 key points for dry powder fire extinguisher maintenance

1. Once a month: pressure gauge inspection

Green area: normal use

Red area: insufficient pressure, need to be refilled

Yellow area: overpressure (rare, may be caused by high temperature)

Operation demonstration:

① Observe the position of the pressure gauge pointer

② Check whether the safety pin and lead seal are intact

③ Gently shake the bottle to prevent dry powder from agglomerating

2. Once a year: professional agency inspection

Mandatory inspection items: pressure test, dry powder status (agglomeration needs to be replaced), nozzle, whether the nozzle is aging

Inspection agency: fire equipment maintenance company (qualification certification required)

3. Daily storage: avoid the three "killers"

High temperature: over 50°C will cause overpressure risk (do not expose in the car)

Moisture: cause the bottle to rust (garages and basements need to be moisture-proof)

Inversion/collision: may cause leakage or mis-spraying

Tips to extend the life of fire extinguishers

Home use suggestions: choose 5KG specifications (high fire extinguishing efficiency and easy to operate)

Vehicle essential: fixed on the side of the trunk (avoid rolling)

Enterprise standard: place 1 per 50㎡, height below 1.5 meters

These situations must be replaced immediately

Rust, deformation or weld cracking of the bottle

Pressure gauge failure or pointer cannot be reset

Dry powder agglomeration (still has lumps after shaking)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

Q1: What types of fires are suitable for dry powder fire extinguishers?

Applicable fires (ABC categories):

Class A (solid fire): wood, paper, cloth, etc.

Class B (liquid fire): gasoline, alcohol, cooking oil, etc.

Class C (gas fire): natural gas, liquefied gas, etc.

Class E (electrical fire): live equipment (note: a safe distance of more than 1 meter is required)

Not applicable:

Class D metal fire (such as magnesium, sodium)

Class F kitchen oil pan deep fire (it is recommended to use a special fire blanket)

Q2: Will dry powder fire extinguishers expire? How to judge?

Validity regulations:

Use period: mandatory scrapping 10 years after leaving the factory

Maintenance cycle: free inspection for the first 5 years, professional inspection every 2 years from the 5th year

Scrap signal:

Pressure gauge pointer in the red area

Rust, deformation or cracking of the bottle body

Dry powder agglomeration (still a hard lump sound after shaking)

Q3: How to dispose of dry powder fire extinguishers after use?

Two situations:

Partial spray: need to be sent to a professional organization for refilling immediately

Complete spray: directly scrapped (cannot be reused)

Tip: Even if it is not used, it must be eliminated if it has been out of the factory for more than 10 years!

Q4: Is the dry powder fire extinguisher harmful to the human body?

Usage precautions:

Inhalation of dry powder will irritate the respiratory tract (it should be operated against the wind when using)

After extinguishing the fire, timely ventilation and cleaning of residual dust are required

If the eyes are sprayed by mistake, rinse with clean water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention

Q5: Why should the fire extinguisher be shaken regularly?

Anti-caking measures:

Gently shake the bottle once a month (to prevent dry powder deposition)

Long-term static will cause the dry powder to harden, affecting the spraying effect