How Long Is the Validity Period of a Fire Extinguisher After Annual Inspection?

The validity period of a fire extinguisher after annual inspection depends on its type, maintenance nature (first maintenance or subsequent maintenance) and national standards. The following are specific regulations and operation points:

1.Validity period of different types of fire extinguishers after annual inspection

Type of fire extinguisher Validity period after maintenance Mandatory scrap age Special requirements

Dry powder fire extinguisher 2 years 10 years First maintenance 5 years after leaving the factory, subsequent maintenance every 2 years, and the validity period after maintenance is recalculated for 2 years

Water-based fire extinguisher 1 year 6 years First maintenance 3 years after leaving the factory, then annual maintenance, and the validity period after maintenance is 1 year

Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher 2 years 12 years First maintenance 5 years after leaving the factory, subsequent maintenance every 2 years, and the validity period after maintenance is 2 years

Note:

Start date of validity period: recalculated from the date of completion of maintenance, not the production date.

Overdue without inspection: If it is not sent for inspection after the validity period after maintenance, it is deemed invalid even if the pressure gauge is normal.

2.Key factors affecting validity period

Environmental conditions:

High temperature/humid environment: The validity period of dry powder fire extinguishers after maintenance may be shortened to 1 year;

Corrosive places: All types of fire extinguishers need to increase the detection frequency.

Filling amount and functionality:

After re-filling dry powder, if the weight error is ＞10%, it needs to be repaired immediately;

Carbon dioxide leakage rate ＞3% needs to be scrapped, and the maintenance validity period is not applicable.

Label information:

The certificate of conformity must clearly mark the "next inspection date" (for example: July 12, 2027), which is the expiration date of the validity period.

3.Risks of illegal operations

Consequences of overdue use

If a fire extinguisher is used beyond the maintenance validity period, the user shall bear legal liability in case of an accident;

If overdue is found in fire inspection, it will be punished in accordance with the Fire Law.

Identification of invalid maintenance

Label anti-counterfeiting: scan the QR code to verify the maintenance record (China Fire Product Information Network);

Abnormal pressure gauge: the pointer is in the green area but needs to be sent for inspection if it exceeds the validity period.

Summary: User operation guide

Check the label: confirm whether the "next inspection date" is within the validity period (such as within 2 years after maintenance of dry powder fire extinguishers);

Calculate the age: compare the production date with the scrap age (for example, a dry powder fire extinguisher produced in 2020 needs first maintenance in 2025 and mandatory scrap in 2030);

Environmental assessment: shorten the inspection cycle in harsh environments (such as dry powder fire extinguishers in coastal areas are inspected once a year).

Example:

A car is equipped with a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher (produced in January 2025):

First maintenance: before January 2030;

Validity period after maintenance: until January 2032;

Mandatory scrap: January 2037.