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05/01/2026 • by Megan Downing
Extinguishers are a vital part of every business’s fire protection; however, they are only effective if properly maintained.
If you manage a commercial or industrial site, you may be asking yourself: how often should your fire extinguishers be serviced?
You might also wonder:
Is servicing a fire extinguisher a legal requirement?
How are fire extinguishers serviced?
Can I service my own fire extinguishers?
Backed by BAFE-accredited engineers providing UK-wide fire extinguisher servicing, this guide answers all your questions and more.
Learn how to stay compliant and keep your premises safe.
Fire extinguishers should be serviced every 12 months, visually checked every month, and given extended servicing at longer intervals depending on the extinguisher type. These checks must be carried out in line with the British Standard BS 5306-3.
All fire extinguishers should receive a professional service once every 12 months. This annual fire extinguisher service must be carried out by a certified BS 5306 engineer.
Fire extinguishers should also be checked monthly by the responsible person on your site. Carrying out visual inspections can spot problems early and help ensure your equipment remains reliable.
In addition to annual servicing, certain fire extinguishers require extended (in-depth) servicing and periodic overhauls.
This service involves discharging the extinguisher in order to confirm it operates correctly. It also involves inspecting internal components and refilling with new extinguishing medium or repressurising the unit where required.
An overhaul is required for CO₂ extinguishers every 10 years and includes complete discharge of the extinguisher, internal examination of the cylinder and valve, and hydrostatic testing in which the cylinder is filled with water and pressurised to verify its long-term structural integrity and safe operating condition.
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Depending on the extinguisher type, extended (in-depth) servicing and overhauls are carried out at different intervals, which is typically as follows:
Extinguisher Type | Extended Service | Overhaul / Hydraulic Test |
Water, Foam, Wet Chemical, Standard Powder, D Class Powder | Every 5 years | n/a |
CO2 | Every 5 years | Every 10 years from the date stamped on the pressure cylinder |
These in-depth services help identify internal corrosion, pressure loss, fatigue, and component deterioration that cannot be detected during routine visual inspections or annual servicing.
Key processes included in how fire extinguishers are serviced include the following:
Visual inspections
Pressure checks using calibrated pressure test gauges
Weight checks
Anti-tamper seals and O-rings are changed annually
Verification of labels, instructions and service records
Internal checks and refilling (where required)
Compliance certification
All servicing carried out by Fire Protection Shop is in line with BS 5306.
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Regular fire extinguisher servicing matters in ensuring your equipment works correctly in an emergency. Other key advantages include: extended lifespan, reduced risk of failure, and compliance with UK fire safety regulations.
Fire extinguisher servicing may be a legal requirement for businesses in the UK, depending on your premises, fire risk assessment, and the type of activities carried out.
To determine your legal obligations, you must refer to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) and your fire risk assessment.
Failure to maintain fire extinguishers in line with your assessed responsibilities can result in enforcement action, fines, and insurance complications.
Although monthly visual checks can be carried out in-house, annual servicing must be done by a certified technician.
BAFE-accredited engineers provide the necessary certification and labelling to meet compliance.
The cost for your fire extinguisher servicing varies depending on the type and number of extinguishers you need serviced.
At Fire Protection Shop, our online form takes all these factors into account to provide you with an instant, bespoke quote.
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Certified BS 5306 engineers can service extinguishers in the UK.
Fire extinguisher servicing typically takes 10 minutes per extinguisher, depending on the type and condition.
Yes. All new fire extinguishers must be commissioned when they are purchased and installed, and then serviced annually thereafter (within 12 months of the previous service).
Yes. In the UK, fire extinguishers need servicing every year.
Only for monthly visual checks. Full servicing must be performed by a certified professional.
Fire extinguishers must be visually checked every month and professionally serviced once every 12 months in line with British Standard BS 5306. Some extinguisher types also require extended servicing or overhauls at longer intervals to remain compliant.
Book Fire Extinguisher Servicing with Fire Protection Shop for nationwide coverage across commercial and industrial sites.
Fire Protection Shop offers fire extinguisher servicing nationwide.
To get your fire extinguisher serviced, simply:
1. Complete our simple online form and receive an instant, transparent quote.
2. Schedule your site visit.
3. Receive full certification and compliance labels for all serviced extinguishers after our visit.
