Photo of Fire Extinguisher

One of the most vital safety devices any home can have, there are few items in your home more important than a fire extinguisher. Nevertheless, the average person seems to have no clue with regards to how and when they need to be serviced. That said, the following is a closer look at the shelf life of fire extinguishers

Rechargeable

The first type of fire extinguisher is the rechargeable one. Each of these includes an easy-to-read gauge that shows if an extinguisher reads "Charge" or "Recharge". Given that they only need to be serviced about once every decade, this is not as much of a hassle as it seems. Either way, no matter how many years you've had it, when the needle lands on the Recharge side, be sure to have it serviced at once. Furthermore, keep in mind that each of these has a 6-year warranty. 

Disposable

On the flip side, disposable fire extinguishers are the most commonly used. Furthermore, maintenance on the disposable fire extinguisher is much more tedious in that they must be serviced monthly. However, there is no fix for an "Empty" disposable fire extinguisher, once the contents are gone, it is time to throw the unit away and purchase a new one. 

Overall, there are two ways in which your fire extinguisher can expire. On the one hand, a rechargeable extinguisher must be serviced every decade. On the flip side, a disposable unit may last for a decade or more, but it must be serviced each and every month. No matter which type of extinguisher you have, the most important thing is that you learn to use, service, and dispose of it properly. Fire extinguishers can help save lives but the overall task of learning to use them correctly is up to the people.

If you're looking for more information on fire safety, contact the team at Fire Extinguisher Sales & Service today.