Fire Extinguisher Testing Frequency

Can’t remember the last time you had your fire extinguishers checked?

Contact us now. Fire extinguisher servicing needs to be carried out at set intervals in order to meet current New Zealand safety standards. All tests should be recorded and updated on the service tag. If you can’t find a service tag, you need to have your extinguishers tested immediately to avoid penalties.

If you’d like to know the law around fire extinguisher testing frequency, take a look at the rest of this blog post. Please note that this general information can differ based on your business environment. You will need a consultation with one of our technicians to determine when your next test is due.

Fire Extinguisher Testing Frequency New Zealand

According to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety, Evacuation Procedures, and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018, the owner of any hand-operated firefighting equipment installed in a building for firefighting by the building’s occupants must maintain it in accordance with NZS 4503:2005—Hand operated fire-fighting equipment.

If you fail to comply with this legislation, you could be fined up to $10,000 as an individual or $20,000 as an organisation.

According to the NZS 4503:2005—Hand operated fire-fighting equipment, all types of portable extinguishers need to be tested at least once every 12 months. In environments that are deemed ‘hostile’, extinguishers need to be inspected at least once every 6 months. A hostile environment could mean that the type of work you do has more associated fire hazards than normal – to find out more, please consult with one of our technicians.

Every 5 years, all types of fire extinguishers require a hydraulic pressure test to make sure your device is operating effectively. For foam and wet chemical fire extinguishers, there is an extra test every 3 years. If you’re not sure what type of fire extinguisher you have in your building, take a look at the container where there will be more information.

How is the maintenance of a fire extinguisher recorded?

After each test is completed, information must be recorded on the service tag attached to the top of each device. If your device has been tested before, you will be able to determine your fire extinguisher testing frequency by looking at the tag to see when the last test was completed. The type of test and the class of test needs to be available on the service tag. It should also tell you who did the test and what standard they were working with.

At Jim’s Test & Tag, we keep thorough records of all tests through our data management system. You will receive a copy of the report and we will keep one in our own system. This means that you can access all the information you will need to prove compliance.

We have a free reminder service to help you keep on top of your fire extinguisher testing frequency requirements. After we’ve completed an inspection, we will put your details in our system and send you a notification when your next test is due. All you have to do is choose a time that suits you best and our technicians will take care of the rest.