Requirements
NFPA 10 inspection, maintenance, and testing requirements
What NFPA 10 is
NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, is the National Fire Protection Association's consensus standard covering selection, placement, inspection, maintenance, and testing of portable extinguishers. It is not itself law, but it is adopted by reference in the International Fire Code and NFPA 1, which most U.S. jurisdictions enforce, and OSHA's 1910.157 tracks it closely. The current editions in use are 2022 and 2026; check which your jurisdiction has adopted.
Chapter 7.2: Inspection
Frequency. At installation and at intervals not exceeding 31 days (§7.2.1.2). More often where hazards, tampering, obstruction, or environment warrant (§7.2.1.1).
Procedure (§7.2.2). Confirm the extinguisher is in its designated location; that access and visibility are unobstructed; that operating instructions face outward and are legible; that the pressure gauge or indicator is in the operable range; that fullness is confirmed by weighing or hefting for units without gauges; that there is no obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle; that the pull pin and tamper seal are intact; and, for wheeled units, that the wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle are in condition.
Corrective action (§7.2.3). Any deficiency found during inspection requires the extinguisher to be subjected to maintenance procedures (i.e., removed from service and handled by a certified technician).
Records (§7.2.4). Record the month and year the inspection was performed and the initials of the person performing it. The record may be kept on a tag or label attached to the extinguisher, on an inspection checklist kept on file, or by electronic method (§7.2.4.2). Records must be retained for 12 months (§7.2.4.4). Section numbering varies slightly between editions; the requirement does not.
Chapter 7.3: Maintenance
Annual maintenance (§7.3.1). At intervals not exceeding one year, or when an inspection reveals a deficiency, a certified person performs a thorough examination of the mechanical parts, extinguishing agent, expelling means, and physical condition, following the manufacturer's service manual. A maintenance tag or label with the date and the servicing agency is attached.
Six-year maintenance (§7.3.3). Stored-pressure dry chemical and halogenated agent extinguishers requiring a 12-year hydrostatic test must be emptied and subjected to the applicable internal and external maintenance procedures every 6 years. A six-year label is applied.
Certification. Maintenance must be performed by a "certified person" holding a certificate issued by an organization acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction, typically the extinguisher manufacturer or a state fire equipment licensing program.
Chapter 8: Hydrostatic testing
| Extinguisher type | Test interval |
|---|---|
| Stored-pressure water, water mist, loaded stream, antifreeze | 5 years |
| Wetting agent, AFFF, FFFP foam | 5 years |
| Carbon dioxide | 5 years |
| Wet chemical (Class K) | 5 years |
| Dry chemical, stored-pressure with mild steel or aluminum shells | 12 years |
| Dry chemical, cartridge- or cylinder-operated | 12 years |
| Halogenated agents, clean agents | 12 years |
| Dry powder (Class D), stored-pressure or cartridge | 12 years |
Cylinders that show corrosion, damage, or repairs are condemned rather than tested. A hydrostatic test label or stamp records the month and year and the tester.
Chapter 6: Placement and mounting (the parts inspectors check)
- Travel distance to an extinguisher: 75 ft for Class A; 30 ft (low rating) or 50 ft (high rating) for Class B; 30 ft for Class K from the cooking appliance; 75 ft for Class D.
- Mounting height: extinguishers weighing 40 lb or less have the top no more than 5 ft above the floor; heavier units, no more than 3.5 ft. The bottom must be at least 4 in above the floor.
- Extinguishers must be conspicuously located, and where visual obstruction cannot be avoided, signs or other means must indicate the location.
- Cabinets must not be locked except where extinguishers are subject to malicious use, and then a means of emergency access must be provided.
Record-keeping summary
| Record | Content | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly inspection | Month, year, inspector initials | 12 months |
| Annual maintenance | Date, servicing agency, technician | Life of extinguisher or 12 months past next maintenance |
| Six-year maintenance | Date, agency | Until next six-year service |
| Hydrostatic test | Month, year, test pressure, tester | Until next test |
A single system that holds all four records per extinguisher is the practical way to keep them straight across dozens of units, and to see at a glance where a record is missing. That is what FireGuard is.
Frequently asked questions
Is NFPA 10 a law?
Not by itself. It becomes enforceable when adopted by a jurisdiction, usually through the International Fire Code or NFPA 1, or when referenced by OSHA. Nearly every U.S. state enforces some edition of NFPA 10.
What edition of NFPA 10 applies to me?
The edition adopted by your state or local fire code, which often lags the newest edition by several years. Ask your fire marshal. The 2022 and 2026 editions have identical monthly inspection requirements for practical purposes.
Does NFPA 10 allow electronic inspection records?
Yes. §7.2.4.2 permits records to be kept by electronic method that provides a permanent record. Many jurisdictions still expect the physical tag to be marked as well.
Track this automatically
FireGuard schedules the monthly interval for every extinguisher, walks your team through the checklist on a phone, shows which units were missed, and produces the records an inspector asks for. 45-day free trial, no card.
This guide is general information about NFPA 10 and OSHA 1910.157 and is not legal advice. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and edition adopted; your Authority Having Jurisdiction has final say.