Unlike the annual inspection, which is largely an external check, 6-year maintenance means the extinguisher is fully disassembled, inspected internally, and rebuilt to factory specification.
The shell, internal components, and agent are all examined in a way an external inspection simply can’t replicate. Seals and gaskets are replaced as a matter of course, not just when they look worn, and the agent itself is typically replaced with fresh material.
Internal corrosion, agent settling, and seal degradation can all develop without any outward sign, which is exactly why the interval is fixed rather than based on how the unit looks.
A stored-pressure extinguisher that’s sat untouched for six years can still develop internal issues purely from age, humidity, and the ordinary passage of time. The 6-year rule exists because visual inspection alone can’t catch that.
The interval is based on the manufacture date stamped on the unit, not the purchase date or the date of the last annual inspection.
That date gets checked as part of routine service, so a property with a consistent inspection history rarely gets caught off guard by a 6-year requirement showing up unexpectedly.
| Requirement | Interval | Performed By |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly visual check | Monthly | Building staff |
| Annual inspection | Every 12 months | Licensed contractor |
| 6-year maintenance | Every 6 years from manufacture | Licensed contractor |
| Hydrostatic testing | Every 5 or 12 years by type | Licensed contractor |
We’ll confirm which extinguishers on your property are coming up on their 6-year interval.