Fire Safety · Mandatory · Construction

Fire Extinguisher Inspection Record

A record of fire extinguisher inspections covering condition, pressure, location, and servicing dates.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. BS 5306-3 / RRO 2005 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	BS 5306-3 (Commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers) & Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Article 17 — Maintenance
Monthly inspection	A visual inspection must be carried out monthly by the responsible person or a nominated competent person on site
Annual service	A full service must be carried out annually by a competent person, ideally a technician certificated under the BAFE SP101 scheme
Extended service	BS 5306-3 specifies extended service intervals (typically every 5 years) depending on extinguisher type, including discharge testing and internal examination
Extinguisher types	Water (Class A), CO2 (Class B & electrical), Foam (Class A & B), Dry powder (Class A, B & C), Wet chemical (Class F)

1. Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Fire extinguishers are the last line of defence against a small fire before it becomes an uncontrollable blaze. They are designed to enable a trained person to tackle a fire in its earliest stages — before the fire service arrives, and before full evacuation becomes the only option. For this reason, every extinguisher on site must be reliable, accessible, fully charged, and appropriate to the class of fire it may be required to tackle. A fire extinguisher that fails when needed is worse than no extinguisher at all, because the person attempting to fight the fire has lost critical seconds that could have been spent evacuating.

Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that any facilities, equipment, and devices provided for the safety of persons on the premises are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair. BS 5306-3 provides the detailed technical standard for the commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. It defines the inspection and service intervals, the competence requirements for service technicians, and the criteria for condemning and replacing extinguishers.

Different types of extinguisher are designed for different classes of fire. Using the wrong type of extinguisher on a fire can be ineffective or actively dangerous — for example, using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire or on burning cooking oil can cause electrocution or a violent fireball. It is essential that the correct types of extinguisher are provided for the hazards present, and that personnel are trained to identify which extinguisher to use. Water extinguishers are suitable for Class A fires (solid combustible materials). CO2 extinguishers are suitable for Class B fires (flammable liquids) and fires involving electrical equipment. Foam extinguishers cover Class A and B. Dry powder extinguishers cover Class A, B, and C (flammable gases). Wet chemical extinguishers are designed specifically for Class F fires (cooking oils and fats).

Match extinguisher types to the hazards present

Providing fire extinguishers without considering the specific hazards on site is a common and serious failing. A construction site welfare cabin with cooking facilities requires a wet chemical extinguisher (Class F). Areas where flammable liquids are stored or used require foam or CO2 extinguishers. Electrical switchgear rooms require CO2 extinguishers. The fire risk assessment must identify the hazards present in each area and specify the correct type and quantity of extinguisher accordingly. Extinguishers must be clearly signed and positioned on dedicated stands or wall brackets at a height where the handle is approximately 1 metre from the floor.

2. Content

A fire extinguisher inspection record should capture the following information. This ensures that every extinguisher on site is tracked, inspected, serviced, and replaced in accordance with BS 5306-3.

Field	Detail
Asset register	A complete register of all fire extinguishers on site, recording the type (water, CO2, foam, dry powder, wet chemical), capacity, serial number, manufacture date, location, and unique asset identifier. The register must be kept up to date as extinguishers are added, moved, or removed.
Monthly visual check	A visual inspection carried out monthly by the responsible person or a nominated individual. Check that the extinguisher is in its designated location, the access is not obstructed, the safety pin and tamper seal are intact, the pressure gauge (where fitted) is in the green zone, there is no visible damage or corrosion, and the operating instructions label is legible. Record the date, the name of the inspector, and any issues found.
Annual service	A full service carried out annually by a competent person — ideally a technician certificated under the BAFE SP101 scheme. The annual service includes all elements of the monthly check plus a detailed examination of the extinguisher body, valve assembly, hose, horn or nozzle, and internal condition. The technician affixes a service label showing the date of service and the next service due date.
Extended service	BS 5306-3 specifies extended service intervals that go beyond the annual service. The intervals depend on the extinguisher type: water and foam extinguishers require an extended service every 5 years (including a discharge test and internal examination), CO2 extinguishers require a hydraulic pressure test every 10 years, and dry powder extinguishers require an extended service every 5 years. These extended services must be carried out by a competent technician.
Replacements	Records of any extinguishers that have been condemned, discharged (whether in a fire incident or accidentally), or replaced. The reason for replacement must be recorded, and the replacement extinguisher must be of the same type and capacity unless the fire risk assessment has changed.

3. Common Mistakes

No monthly visual inspections carried out

The annual service by a competent technician does not remove the need for monthly visual inspections by the responsible person. Twelve months is a long time for a fire extinguisher to go unchecked. In that period, extinguishers can be moved from their designated locations, obstructed by stored materials, discharged accidentally or maliciously, damaged by site activities, or have their pressure drop below the operational range. The monthly visual check catches these issues before they render the extinguisher useless in an emergency. On construction sites, where the environment is dynamic and extinguishers are frequently relocated as work progresses, monthly checks are especially critical. Failing to carry out monthly inspections is a breach of Article 17 of the RRO 2005.

Annual service carried out by a non-competent person

The annual service of fire extinguishers must be carried out by a competent person with the technical knowledge, training, and equipment to service the specific types of extinguisher on site. The BAFE SP101 scheme provides third-party certification of fire extinguisher service providers, giving assurance that the technician has been independently assessed as competent. Having extinguishers "serviced" by a general maintenance operative or an uncertificated individual does not meet the requirements of BS 5306-3. The service may be incomplete, defects may be missed, and the service record may not be accepted by enforcement authorities or insurers. Always use a BAFE SP101 registered provider for annual and extended servicing.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is BAFE SP101?▾

BAFE SP101 is a third-party certification scheme for providers of portable fire extinguisher maintenance services. BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) is the independent registration body that assesses and certifies fire protection service providers in the UK. The SP101 scheme specifically covers the commissioning, installation, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. A company registered under BAFE SP101 has been independently audited to confirm that its technicians are competent, that its procedures comply with BS 5306-3, and that its quality management systems meet the required standard. Using a BAFE SP101 registered provider gives the responsible person confidence that the annual and extended servicing of their fire extinguishers meets the legal requirements of the RRO 2005 and the technical requirements of BS 5306-3. Many insurers and enforcing authorities specifically look for evidence that fire extinguisher servicing has been carried out by a BAFE registered company. While it is not a strict legal requirement to use a BAFE registered provider, doing so is widely recognised as best practice and provides a strong defence of competence in the event of a fire or enforcement action.

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