How often must fire extinguishers be inspected under OSHA?

Portable extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly and given a maintenance check annually (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2) and (e)(3)).

How long must the annual maintenance record be kept?

One year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less. It must be available to OSHA on request (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)).

Which extinguishers need 6-year maintenance?

Stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test. They must be emptied and given the applicable maintenance every 6 years; disposable non-refillable units are exempt, and the 6 years restart after recharging or hydrostatic testing (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(4)).

Is training on fire extinguishers required?

Where extinguishers are provided for employee use, the employer must provide education on their use and the hazards of incipient stage fire fighting at initial employment and at least annually after that (29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1) and (g)(2)).

US · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep every fire extinguisher inspected and maintained on time

Under OSHA's portable fire extinguisher standard, the employer must visually inspect each extinguisher monthly and have an annual maintenance check done, recording the date (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2) and (e)(3)). The maintenance record is kept one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less.

OSHA's portable fire extinguisher standard (29 CFR 1910.157) applies to the placement, use, maintenance and testing of portable fire extinguishers provided for the use of employees. The employer is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(1)).

Portable extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly, and they must have an annual maintenance check. The employer must record the annual maintenance date and keep that record for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2) and (e)(3)).

Stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test must also be emptied and given the applicable maintenance every 6 years; extinguishers with non-refillable disposable containers are exempt. Hydrostatic tests follow the intervals in Table L-1 of the standard, for example 5 years for carbon dioxide extinguishers and 12 years for stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers with mild steel, brazed brass or aluminum shells (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(4) and (f)(2)).

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At a glance

Rule	29 CFR 1910.157(e) (OSHA)
Visual inspection	Monthly
Maintenance check	Annually; record the date
Maintenance record	Kept 1 year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less
6-year maintenance	Stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that need a 12-year hydrostatic test
Hydrostatic test	At the Table L-1 interval for the extinguisher type (for example 5 or 12 years)

Who is responsible?

The employer. It is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace, and must keep them fully charged, operable and in their designated places except during use (29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4) and (e)(1)).

Cover the gap while an extinguisher is out for service

When portable fire extinguishers are removed from service for maintenance and recharging, the employer must provide alternate equivalent protection (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(5)). Where extinguishers are provided for employee use, employees must also get education on their use at initial employment and at least annually after that (29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1) and (g)(2)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each extinguisher or each location and record the date its next annual maintenance check is due. If you want, add the monthly visual inspection as a separate document with its own due date.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the due date and on the due date itself.
Assign a responsible person (for example your facility or safety manager) so the right person gets the reminder.
If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Ask the service company or inspector to upload the maintenance record or tag photo through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How often must fire extinguishers be inspected under OSHA?: Portable extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly and given a maintenance check annually (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2) and (e)(3)).
How long must the annual maintenance record be kept?: One year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less. It must be available to OSHA on request (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)).
Which extinguishers need 6-year maintenance?: Stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test. They must be emptied and given the applicable maintenance every 6 years; disposable non-refillable units are exempt, and the 6 years restart after recharging or hydrostatic testing (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(4)).
Is training on fire extinguishers required?: Where extinguishers are provided for employee use, the employer must provide education on their use and the hazards of incipient stage fire fighting at initial employment and at least annually after that (29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1) and (g)(2)).

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for fire extinguisher annual maintenance (OSHA) (US)

A ready template for fire extinguisher annual maintenance (OSHA) (US) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each fire extinguisher annual maintenance (OSHA) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each fire extinguisher annual maintenance (OSHA) (US) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.