Monthly and yearly
How often should fire extinguishers be inspected? Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157, workplace portable fire extinguishers get a monthly visual inspection and an annual maintenance check. OSHA also says they stay fully charged, operable, and in their designated places except while in use. The employer is responsible for inspection, maintenance, and testing, and should also record the annual maintenance date.
If you want a simple reminder rhythm, start with the monthly check and then track the annual maintenance date separately. Our monthly inspection guide explains the routine in plain language, and the OSHA extinguisher inspection page links the rule to the source. If you are comparing standards, NFPA 10 notes where the standard is listed by NFPA.
The 6 year maintenance
Stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12 year hydrostatic test have a separate 6 year maintenance cycle under OSHA. That cycle includes emptying and maintenance, and the 6 year count starts again when the unit is recharged or hydrostatically tested. Non refillable disposable containers are exempt from that specific cycle. For a log, that means the last maintenance date matters just as much as the monthly reminder.
Hydrostatic intervals by type
How often does a fire extinguisher need testing? OSHA Table L-1 sets hydrostatic test intervals by extinguisher type. Examples include 5 years for carbon dioxide and for stored pressure water, and 12 years for stored pressure dry chemical with mild steel, brazed brass, or aluminum shells. Testing is done by trained people with suitable equipment, and the record includes the date, the tester’s signature, and an identifier.
What this page skips
This guide does not guess at extinguisher age rules or pricing. It also does not promise that any log will satisfy a visit or replace a site specific compliance review. If you need a place to keep notes and dates together, the Fire Inspection Log reminder log is built around extinguisher lists, monthly reminders, log entries, last annual maintenance dates, and emergency light test dates, with more detail in our FAQ.
This is a reminder log, not an inspection and not code compliance. Not a substitute for a licensed fire protection inspection. Rules differ by workplace and by the fire code your local authority uses. Fire Inspection Log is not part of OSHA, NFPA, or any fire marshal office.