US · Expiry & renewal tracking
Know when each extinguisher is due for its hydrostatic test
Employers must have portable fire extinguishers hydrostatically tested at the Table L-1 intervals of 29 CFR 1910.157: 5 years for types such as carbon dioxide and stainless steel dry chemical, 12 years for mild steel dry chemical and Halon (1910.157(f)). The certification record is kept until the next test.
Under OSHA's portable fire extinguisher standard, the employer must make sure portable extinguishers are hydrostatically tested at the intervals in Table L-1 of 29 CFR 1910.157, by trained persons with suitable testing equipment and facilities (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(1) and (f)(2)).
Table L-1 sets 5 years for types such as stored pressure water, wetting agent, AFFF foam, loaded stream, dry chemical with stainless steel shells and carbon dioxide. It sets 12 years for stored pressure dry chemical with mild steel, brazed brass or aluminum shells, cartridge or cylinder operated dry chemical and dry powder with mild steel shells, and Halon 1211 and 1301.
An extinguisher must also be hydrostatically tested whenever it shows new evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury. Before each test the cylinder or shell gets an internal examination as well as an external visual one. Air or gas pressure may not be used, and any shell, cylinder or cartridge that fails, or is not fit for testing, must be removed from service and from the workplace (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(3), (f)(4), (f)(13) and (f)(14)).
At a glance
| Rule | 29 CFR 1910.157(f) and Table L-1 (OSHA) |
|---|---|
| 5-year types | Water and antifreeze, wetting agent, AFFF, loaded stream, soda acid and foam with stainless steel shells, dry chemical with stainless steel, carbon dioxide |
| 12-year types | Dry chemical and dry powder with mild steel (or brazed brass or aluminum for stored pressure), Halon 1211 and 1301 |
| Also test | On new evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury |
| Hose assemblies with shut-off nozzle | Same interval as the extinguisher they are on |
| Record | Test date, tester's signature, serial number or other identifier |
Monthly visual inspections and annual maintenance checks are separate requirements under 29 CFR 1910.157(e). See our fire extinguisher inspection guide.
Who is responsible?
The employer. It is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace, and must make sure hydrostatic testing is done by trained persons (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(1) and (f)(1)).
Keep the certification record until the next test
The employer must keep, and provide to OSHA on request, a certification record showing the date of the test, the signature of the person who performed it and the serial number or other identifier of the extinguisher. The record is kept until the extinguisher is retested at the Table L-1 interval or taken out of service, whichever comes first (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each extinguisher by serial number and record the date its next hydrostatic test is due, based on its Table L-1 interval (5 or 12 years).
- Track the annual maintenance check as a separate document, because it has 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 test company to upload the certification record through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
Frequently asked questions
- How often must a carbon dioxide extinguisher be hydrostatically tested?
- Every 5 years (29 CFR 1910.157, Table L-1). Carbon dioxide extinguishers are tested at 5/3 of the service pressure stamped into the cylinder (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(10)).
- How often is a stored pressure dry chemical extinguisher tested?
- Every 12 years if the shell is mild steel, brazed brass or aluminum; every 5 years for dry chemical with stainless steel (29 CFR 1910.157, Table L-1).
- Are there cases where the Table L-1 test rules do not apply?
- Yes. The standard lists exceptions: units repaired by soldering, welding, brazing or patching compounds; damaged cylinder or shell threads; corrosion that has caused pitting; extinguishers burned in a fire; and calcium chloride agent used in a stainless steel shell (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(2)(i) to (v)).
- Do hose assemblies need a hydrostatic test?
- Hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle at the discharge end must be tested at the same interval as the extinguisher they are installed on (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(5)).
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.157, portable fire extinguishers
- OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.157, portable fire extinguishers
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.
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each fire extinguisher hydrostatic test (OSHA) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
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