Where Should My At Home Extinguisher Go?

The Southern Marin Fire Protection District encourages you to review the NFPA Fire Extinguisher page to better understand where in a home to place an extinguisher.

How Often Should an Extinguisher Get Inspected/Serviced?

For commercial properties: Fire codes require that all fire extinguishers in commercial buildings receive a minimum annual inspection by a certified technician. The technician will place an approved tag on the extinguisher indicating the inspection date. Review the NFPA 10 Fire Extinguisher Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Guide online.

For residential properties: While there is no legal requirement for annual inspections of home fire extinguishers, it is recommended as a best practice to inspect them regularly and replace them periodically. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests homeowners inspect extinguishers when initially purchased and at least once per year thereafter. Extinguishers should be replaced immediately if they've been used or if the gauge is not reading in the operable range.

General guidelines:

• Inspect extinguishers when first purchased and at least annually
• Replace immediately after use or if gauge indicates non-operable status
• Follow manufacturer's recommendations on replacement intervals
  
  Proper maintenance and timely replacement of fire extinguishers is crucial for operational readiness. Consult fire safety professionals for specific guidance on your property's requirements.

The Southern Marin Fire Protection District does not re-charge or dispose of fire extinguishers. Contact a service company if this page does not provide the information required to get a determination for a safe and working fire extinguisher.

It is essential that you understand how to dispose of fire extinguishers in Marin County, California. Safety for yourself, others, and the environment is required when handling fire extinguishers. As you well know, workplaces and businesses require fire extinguishers and they are encouraged in private residences, particularly in dangerous locations such as the garage and kitchen, as well as near any outdoor grill.  

1. Refill It - Not all extinguishers are created equal or can be refilled. If it is of a commercial grade it will typically be labeled as "Serviceable". Yet, if it has a plastic handle then refilling is not a viable option. If this extinguisher still is not able to be determined for refill, then try upgrading to a serviceable style and dispose of the old one properly. See the list of Extinguisher Classifications below when selecting your replacement.

2. Recycle It - All fire extinguishers are considered hazardous waste. This requires that they get recycled through a certified hazardous waste management facility. In Marin the Household Hazardous Waste Facility will take up to 3x, 5 lbs. extinguisher per visit, from Marin County residents only.

3. Toss It - Never throw away any extinguishers. These devices are under pressure and can cause grave injury if disposed of or handled improperly. Ensure that they have been secured, discharged, and recycled in an approved manner.

Safety Knowledge for Extinguishers:

• Before being recharged, it will get a once over by a tech to make sure that it is still working and meets all current requirements for operation and safe use.
• After you empty the cylinder, you should squeeze the trigger to make sure that it has no residual pressure.
• In case there is a small amount of pressure still on the gauge, take the cylinder outside and squeeze the trigger to release the pressure. 
• Last but not least, you may want to double check whether Marin Household Hazardous Waste facility still accepts discharged extinguishers. See contact information below.

TAKE-AWAY: As always, you should be careful while disposing and handling old fire extinguishers. You can also sell yours to a collector if it was made before 1960 – although you should also handle it carefully.

Please contact the Marin Household Hazardous Waste Facility for all disposal needs:

565 Jacoby St.
San Rafael

Residential: (415)485-6806
Business: (415)485-5549

Commercial Customers: Tuesday & Wednesday, by appointment only
Residential Customers: Tuesday – Saturday, 8am – 3:30pm. Call ahead for details.

http://marinhhw.com

Classification of Fire Extinguishers

Note: The most typical house hold extinguisher classification is the all-purpose A:B:C. Commercial grade requires a minimum of 1 (one) 2A:10B:C at 5lbs. or greater.