As a building owner, you might struggle to understand why you should continually have to put up with the cost of fire extinguisher inspections if you’ve never had a fire in your building. Not only can inspections be monetarily expensive, they take up time and resources as well. However, the cost of noncompliance is far greater than that of compliance, even when it seems unnecessary.
In this article, we’ll explore the different costs associated with various extinguisher services, as well as the cost of neglecting extinguishers.
Types of fire extinguisher services
| Type of service | Minimum frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Professional inspection | Annually | A visual inspection is conducted on each extinguisher, including the cylinder, hose, nozzle, seal, and tamper indicator. It is verified that the pressure gauge is in the green zone and that extinguishers actually weigh the amount they are labeled with. Finally, inspectors replace extinguishers’ old service tags and provide building owners with a written report of their observations. |
| Maintenance | Every 6 years | After extinguishers are completely discharged, their interiors are examined and cleaned. Seals and valves are replaced and extinguishers are refilled and repressurized. Lastly, each extinguisher receives a new service tag. |
| Hydrostatic testing | Every 12 years | A pressurized water test is performed on each extinguisher. Extinguishers are also fully discharged and inspected before being refilled, repressurized, and provided with new service tags. |
| Recharging | After each use | Each extinguisher that was used will be entirely emptied of whatever agent remains inside of them. Once they have been inspected internally, extinguishers are refilled, repressurized, and given new service tags. |
The cost of fire extinguisher inspections
The cost of fire extinguisher inspections is determined by a variety of factors, including:
Professional inspection
Considering all of the variables mentioned above, the cost of fire extinguisher inspections performed annually can fall anywhere between $15–$300 per unit. That’s quite the wide range!
Some inspection agencies offer volume pricing, meaning the per-unit cost of fire extinguisher inspections lowers with each unit. Additionally, agencies may offer bundling plans, which we’ll explore later on.
On average, the cost of fire extinguisher inspections done professionally is $40–$100 per unit.
Maintenance
Meant to catch and remedy issues such as valve deterioration and internal corrosion, maintenance often costs $40–$80 per unit.
Hydrostatic testing
Testing tends to cost $50–$100 per extinguisher, but for extinguishers over 10 years old in particular, replacement is sometimes more cost-effective.
Recharging
Regardless of how much extinguishing agent was actually used, extinguishers must be fully discharged and then recharged after each use. Recharging is also necessary when an extinguisher has gradually experienced pressure loss.
While the standard cost is $40–$60 per unit, you will be charged more for non-ABC dry chemical extinguishers or if you need an emergency same-day recharge.
Other services
An extinguisher is in need of replacing whenever one or more of the following occur:
- It experiences pressure loss continually
- It expires
- It fails hydrostatic testing
- It is an obsolete model
- It is physically damaged
- It reaches 15–20 years old
A single ABC extinguisher can be anywhere from $40–$130 to replace, depending on how heavy it is. By far the most expensive extinguisher to replace is a wheeled unit, which cost thousands of dollars.
Lastly, if an inspector finds that the number of extinguishers in your building is not in compliance with codes adopted by your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), you will need to buy more. In addition to the extinguishers themselves, you will need to pay for:
- Signs: $10–$20 per unit
- Wall brackets: $10–$20 per unit
- Having everything installed: $25–$50 per unit
The cost of noncompliance
Depending on your location, as well as the severity and frequency of violations, not complying with your AHJ’s fire code may result in fines as heavy as $500 per violation (1 extinguisher = 1 violation).
If you thought $500 was bad, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is even more stringent. According to both NFPA 10 (the Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers) and OSHA Standard 1910.157(e)(2), portable extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly. (These inspections can be done by building staff rather than professionals.) Each violation of an OSHA standard will result in a fine of at least $16,550, but potentially up to $165,514.
Other ways that noncompliance will cost you include:
How to reduce the cost of fire extinguisher inspections
To lessen the cost of fire extinguisher inspections, check if the company you are using to service extinguishers offers services for other components of your fire protection system. Many companies that work with extinguishers also work with fire alarms, sprinklers, and more. If you bundle services with them, you may get a discount.
If you are the owner of multiple commercial buildings close by each other, also try scheduling all inspections on the same day to reduce travel frees.
As previously mentioned, monthly extinguisher inspections can be performed by staff. A digital tracking system purpose built for fire extinguisher inspections offers an affordable, easy way for maintenance or safety technicians to record monthly inspections and demonstrate compliance with NFPA 10 standards.
At InspectNTrack, we take our responsibility to all building owners and occupants very seriously. Our software makes sure you stay on track for monthly inspections so that you are ready for both annual inspections and any emergencies that may arise. We also get the chance to interact with extinguisher maintenance companies all over the United States and are proud to recommend the best of the best:
