FIRE EXTINGUISHER MONTHLY "SELF-INSPECTION" MAINTENANCE ACCEPTANCE
Administrative Rule Adopted by Portland Fire & Rescue Pursuant to Rule-Making Authority
ARB-FIR-8.03
I. SCOPE
A. This policy is established March 16, 2004.
B. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for owner conducted, monthly inspections of portable fire extinguishers.
C. This policy applies to all occupancies where Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) has authority.
D. This inspection program is limited to dry chemical extinguishers with a gauge. All other portable fire extinguishers, such as Halon, CO2, K-Class, etc., shall be serviced annually and as specified in the fire code and NFPA Standard 10.
E. Owner inspection of portable fire extinguishers on a 30-day cycle, in place of annual servicing, may be allowed when conducted under this approved program.
II. SPECIFIC
A. References
1. 2016 Portland Fire Code (PFC).
2. NFPA 10, 2013 Edition.
B. Definitions
1. Quick-Check: Routine fire extinguisher inspection check.
2. Self-Inspection: Performance of a fire extinguisher inspection conducted by the owner or responsible person every 30 days.
III. GUIDANCE
A. During a code enforcement inspection, or at the request of the business owner to participate in this program, the Inspector will evaluate the portable fire extinguishers to determine if they are current on all service checks (annual, 6-year, 12-year).
B. If the fire extinguisher services are current, the Inspector will provide training on how to complete a fire extinguisher self-inspection along with tags to be applied to the extinguishers.
C. Monthly inspections include verifying the extinguisher:
- Is in the designated place.
- Is not blocked to access or visibility.
- Has clear operating instructions facing outward.
- Has all seals intact - nothing has been broken, tampered with, or is missing.
- Is full - determine fullness by weighing or "hefting".
- Has no damage - Examine for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle.
- Pressure gauge or indicator displays in the operable range or position.
D. Inspections must be completed every 30 days and documented on extinguisher tags and in inspection logs.