Bring these

• Flashlight
• Site inspection record or CMMS route

Before touching anything

• For workplaces covered by OSHA's portable-extinguisher rule, visually inspect portable extinguishers monthly. Make the check part of a recurring facility walk or CMMS inspection so missed units are visible.
• OSHA requires an annual maintenance check. This is more than the technician's monthly walk-by inspection and should be completed by personnel qualified for the required extinguisher maintenance.
• Some extinguisher types require internal maintenance and hydrostatic testing at specified intervals. The interval depends on extinguisher type; do not use a blanket age rule for every extinguisher.

1. 1Location and accessConfirm the extinguisher is in its designated location, readily accessible, visible or properly identified, and not blocked by furniture, storage, equipment or a difficult-to-open cabinet.
2. 2Pressure or charge indicationFor an extinguisher with a pressure gauge, confirm the pointer is in the manufacturer's operable range — commonly the green zone. Do not assume every extinguisher type uses the same charge indicator.
3. 3Pin and tamper sealConfirm the pull pin is present and the tamper indicator or seal is intact. A missing pin, broken seal or evidence of operation needs follow-up rather than simply installing a new seal and walking away.
4. 4Hose and nozzleLook for cracks, cuts, deterioration, loose connections or an obstructed discharge opening. Do not probe into or dismantle the valve or hose assembly as part of a routine visual inspection.
5. 5Cylinder, handle and mountingLook for dents, corrosion, leakage, heat/fire exposure, damaged handles, damaged threads or other mechanical injury. Confirm the extinguisher is secure in the intended bracket or cabinet.
6. 6Label and operating instructionsMake sure the operating instructions/nameplate are legible and facing outward where practical. Confirm the extinguisher has not obviously been swapped with an incompatible location or hazard without authorization.
7. 7Inspection and service recordRecord the monthly inspection according to your site process. Check the annual-maintenance record/tag and any service markings so overdue professional maintenance or testing is not missed.

OSHA requires annual maintenance of workplace portable extinguishers. For certain stored-pressure dry-chemical extinguishers that have a 12-year hydrostatic-test interval, OSHA also requires applicable maintenance every six years; non-refillable disposable dry-chemical containers are exempt from that six-year requirement. Hydrostatic-test intervals vary by extinguisher type — common intervals include 5 or 12 years — so verify the extinguisher type and service record rather than judging by age alone.

Record the extinguisher ID/location, inspection date, accessibility, gauge/charge indication where applicable, pin/seal condition, hose/nozzle condition, visible cylinder condition, tag/service status, deficiencies found, action taken and who owns the follow-up. A completed inspection means the inspection occurred; it does not override a defect or certify specialist service.

Use the installed extinguisher's manufacturer instructions, your site's fire-protection program and local requirements first. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157 — Portable fire extinguishers OSHA portable-extinguisher monthly inspection checklist Fire & Life Safety guides intentionally contain no affiliate shopping recommendations.

• Installing a new tamper seal instead of investigating why the old one was broken.
• Judging hydrostatic-test status by the extinguisher's age instead of type and service record.
• Leaving a questionable extinguisher in service.