To comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, SANS codes, and local municipality fire safety by-laws, fire extinguishers should be serviced annually by SAQCC-registered technicians. During a service, the technician will carry out a general inspection of the extinguisher to check for damage, check the pressure gauge, inspect the nozzle and hose for cracks or blockages, refill the extinguisher if necessary, and complete the service label.
How often should fire extinguishers be serviced?
According to SANS 1475 and local municipality fire safety by-laws, all businesses have a legal duty to ensure that their fire extinguishers are serviced on an annual basis. Regular servicing ensures that your fire extinguishers are properly maintained and will function safely and effectively in an emergency.
What is SANS 1457?
SANS 1475 is the South African National Standard that lays out the legal requirements for the manufacturing and servicing of firefighting equipment, including hose reels, hydrants, and fire extinguishers. In particular, SANS 1475 specifies that fire extinguishers must be serviced once a year by a SABS-approved fire equipment servicing company.
Who services fire extinguishers?
Only certified, SABS-registered fire extinguisher servicing companies may service firefighting equipment. An SAQCC (South African Qualifications Certifications Committee) registered technician will visit your premises to inspect and service your firefighting equipment. First Aid, Fire and Safety Training (FAFST) is a SABS-registered fire equipment servicing company offering fire extinguisher servicing in the Johannesburg area.
How do technicians service a fire extinguisher?
To service an extinguisher, a technician carries out a detailed physical inspection of the unit, checking for damage, wear and tear, and hose or nozzle blockages. If necessary, the technician will replace any damaged parts and recharge (refill) the extinguisher with the appropriate contents.
A fire extinguisher service includes the following:
- General Inspection: The technician will check for dents, cracks, or corrosion to the cylinder and damage to seals and other parts.
- Tamper Seal: A broken tamper seal indicates that the extinguisher may have been discharged and needs to be refilled.
- Pressure Gauge: If the pressure gauge is not in the green zone, the extinguisher needs to be repressurised.
- Nozzle and Hose: The cylinder’s nozzle and hose must be free of damage, cracks, or blockages.
- Recharge: If necessary, the technician will refill and repressurise the extinguisher.
- Service Label: The technician will complete the extinguisher service label, stating the date of the service, date of the next due service, name and contact details of the servicing company, and the SAQCC registration number of the technician.
What is a fire extinguisher service certificate?
A fire extinguisher certificate of service is a document issued by a SAQCC-registered technician to confirm that your fire extinguishers have been serviced and meet the requirements set out in the relevant SANS (South African National Standards) codes, fire safety by-laws, and the Pressure Equipment Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Why do I need a fire extinguisher certificate of service?
A certificate of service proves that your fire equipment has been maintained and serviced as per legislation and SANS codes. This is important for the following reasons:
- You may be asked to furnish a certificate of service to a Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) inspector to prove that your fire equipment complies with the OHS Act, SANS codes, and local fire safety by-laws.
- Servicing your fire extinguishers regularly ensures that they are safe to use and fully operational. A fire extinguisher is still the most effective way to extinguish a small fire, making it a key element of your workplace fire safety programme.
In the event of an insurance claim following a fire, your insurance company may request to see a valid fire equipment certificate of service. Without this document, your claim may be rejected.
What is a hydrostatic cylinder test (pressure test)?
A hydrostatic cylinder test (also called a pressure test) is a test that is performed to check the structural integrity of a fire extinguisher’s cylinder. The test involves emptying the extinguisher, refilling it with water, pressurising it, and then checking to see if the pressure stays at a consistent level. This is done to check for any leaks or damage to the cylinder. If the cylinder passes the test, the extinguisher is safe to be recharged and used. If the pressure drops, the extinguisher likely has a leak or defect, and should be removed from service as it may not be safe to use.
How often should fire extinguishers be pressure tested?
How often your fire extinguishers need to undergo hydrostatic cylinder testing depends on what kind of extinguishers you have. Water, foam, and powder extinguishers should be pressure tested once every five years, while CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers should be pressure tested once every 10 years.
Book a fire extinguisher service with a reputable, SABS-registered company.
First Aid, Fire and Safety Training (FAFST) is a SABS-registered fire equipment servicing company with experienced, SAQCC-registered technicians and fire safety experts. Find out more about our fire equipment servicing and supply services or contact us to book a fire extinguisher service in Johannesburg now.
