You must:
Perform inspections:
Make sure that portable fire extinguishers or hose systems (used instead of fire extinguishers) are visually inspected monthly
Perform maintenance checks:
Make sure that all portable fire extinguishers are subjected to an annual maintenance check
Keep records of all annual maintenance checks and make available to the department upon request
♦ For 1 year after the last maintenance check;
OR ♦ For the life of the shell, whichever is less
Make sure that equal protection is provided when portable fire extinguishers are removed from service for maintenance and recharging
Exemption: Most stored pressure extinguishers do not require an internal examination. Examples of those that do require an internal examination are those containing a loaded stream agent.
You must:
Perform hydrostatic testing:
Exemption:
Dry chemical extinguishers that have nonrefillable disposable containers are exempt from this requirement.
Manually pressurized pumptanks are exempt from this requirement.
You must:
Make sure that portable extinguishers are hydrostatically tested:
At the intervals listed in Table 1, of this section
Whenever they show evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury
Not perform hydrostatic testing on fire extinguishers if:
The unit has been repaired by soldering, welding, brazing, or use of patching compounds
The cylinder or shell threads are damaged
Corrosion has caused pitting, including corrosion under removable name plate assemblies
The extinguisher has been burned in a fire
Calcium chloride extinguishing agents have been used in a stainless steel shell
| Note: | Specific rules regarding conducting hydrostatic tests are covered in WAC 296-24-59212. |
You must:
Maintain records showing that hydrostatic testing has been performed. Provide the following evidence to the department upon request:
Date of test
Test pressure used
The serial number, or other identifier of the fire extinguisher that was tested
Person or agency performing the test
Keep records until:
The extinguisher is retested;
OR The extinguisher is taken out of service, whichever comes first
Empty and maintain stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers requiring a 12-year hydrostatic test, every six years:
When recharging or hydrostatic testing is performed, the 6-year requirement begins from that date
Hydrostatic Test Table
| Type of Extinguisher | Test Interval (Years) |
| Stored pressure water and/or antifreeze | 5 |
| Wetting agent | 5 |
| Foam (stainless steel shell) | 5 |
| Aqueous film forming form (AFFF) | 5 |
| Loaded stream | 5 |
| Dry chemical with stainless steel | 5 |
| Carbon dioxide | 5 |
| Dry chemical, stored pressure, with mild steel, brazed brass or aluminum shells | 12 |
| Halon 1211 | 12 |
| Halon 1301 | 12 |
| Dry powder, cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shell | 12 |
| Note: Due to a manufacturer's recall, stored pressure water extinguishers with fiberglass shell (pre-1976) are prohibited from hydrostatic testing. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and[49.17].050 . 01-23-060, § 296-800-30020, filed 11/20/01, effective 12/1/01; 01-11-038, § 296-800-30020, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]