6 Year Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Go behind the scenes to find out what happens during a 6 year maintenance on your fire extinguisher.

[@FireAlarmDude5967]

I’m curious to know. Do you just mix all different brands of ABC powder, or do you only fill each extinguisher with the specified brand of dry chemical agent?

[@silcofireandsecurity]

When a dry chemical fire extinguisher is brought to our shop, and is due for service, we discharge and recharge the dry chemical agent in accordance with the manufacturer specifications.

[@FireAlarmDude5967]

@@silcofireandsecurity that’s good to hear. So for example, if an Ansul is in the shop, you fill it with Ansul foray powder?

[@dtrain-uwu]

ABC powder is monoammonium phosphate. All ABC extinguishers use the same chemical compound so it is ok to interchange ABC powder between different brands of extinguishers.

[@FireAlarmDude5967]

@@dtrain-uwu you cannot although almost all service companies do it, the percents of MAP are different. For example, Amerex has two different ABC agents. They have a standard ABC and their “555” ABC dry chemical which is a higher performance powder. Mixing the two agents compromises the performance. They are not all the same

[@omotoshorotimi9770]

I want to the selico company address in Nigeria

[@Asertix357]

Between this video, and the ones done by FireAlarmDude on the servicing of fire extinguishers, it looks like something a person can do at home if they have the right stuff, even if it's not encouraged for insurance purposes. O-rings, valve stems, and pressure gauges are all pretty common online, as is the adapter for charging the system with nitrogen.

[@billerwin7770]

Anybody could do this with the right equipment, and you really don't need that much equipment. Just be aware that in some states/jurisdictions you have to have a license to do this commercially.

[@Francis_J_120]

Uh oh, somebody forgot to leak-check the fire extinguisher! Per NFPA 10 ch 7.

[@somenicedutchguy638]

When does the extinguisher become obsolete? Would that be age related or refills? Thanks!

[@silcofireandsecurity]

Great question! Any dry chemical fire extinguishers manufactured before October of 1984 are considered obsolete. Dry chemical fire extinguishers can be filled and inspected year after year as long as the manufactured parts are available, the cylinder does not show any extensive signs of corrosion, pitting or fire damage. Side note: the extinguishers you buy at the big box stores with plastic handles and heads are often considered as a one time use extinguisher. Our policy at Silco is that we will not refill or test those types of extinguishers.

[@somenicedutchguy638]

@@silcofireandsecurity Much appreciated!

[@alvarez321]

Also keep in mind tho, every 12 yrs they need to be hydro tested, depending on pricing in your area, it may be cheaper to just replace it (Which most companies do).

[@jmd1743]

@@silcofireandsecurity Why are dry fire extinguishers manufactured before October of 1984 considered to be obsolete? Do you do Halon fire extinguishers?

[@silcofireandsecurity]

@@jmd1743 Pre 1984 dry chem extinguishers do not carry the same type of rating as a newer extinguisher, meaning the flow rates have increased and the ability to extinguish a fire is greatly improved from the older models. Also, years of maintenance and hydro testing of these older models can compromise the integrity of the cylinder making them unreliable, unsafe and prone to failure. Older parts for these extinguishers are becoming hard to get as well. Halon is no longer made because of the effect on the environment, we do however have a reserve that can be used to refill and recharge units that have been discharged.

[@reedphillips4534]

They do this every year in NV

[@leventsl]

No way every fire extinguisher every year??

[@robertknemeyer2184]

Yes… we do annual tear downs. If my tech used a mallet on the head like I’d be a bit upset. There are quite a few things wrong here

[@Firealarmcollectorperson]

@@robertknemeyer2184 Agreed. Lots of things done wrong here. You shouldn’t have to use a mallet to get a head off…

[@Francis_J_120]

Yikes that seems excessive!

[@safety_news]

Great

[@free_fire_59p]

Super sar

[@kenlard-_-4050]

I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed with this comment section lol

[@West_Kootenay_railfan]

Me too 😂😂

[@gurgy3]

What is a typical cost in usd for this service on ABC dry chem?

[@silcofireandsecurity]

We would encourage you to contact one of our branches for an estimate of cost to perform the 6 year maintenance service on your extinguisher. For example, a typical 10 pound ABC would be approximately $35 USD on average. There are many factors that need to be considered in giving you an actual price such as size, condition of extinguisher, age, weight, etc. You can find more information on our website - www.silcofs.com

[@Francis_J_120]

Be careful when asking at your local shop. Some companies will double charge you. For example, some companies charge for 6-year AND recharge when in reality they are basically the same procedure. So they will say "our 6-yr cost is $20" but then you also have to pay another $20 for recharge and $1 for a sticker, $2 for a proof collar, $5 for a valve stem, $1 for an O-ring, etc. etc. So be sure to ask what all is included and if there are hidden costs they don't tell you about. The company producing this video does this.

[@VernonKunda-mp8no]

How safe is it without the protection gage

[@Francis_J_120]

Protection gauge?

[@mikevillarreal9620]

Check for leaks?

[@eathanralston1143]

They do that for the 12-year servicing not the 6-year

[@NathanLandman]

Every extinguisher that is serviced is leak tested after reassembly and pressurization.

[@richs3655]

Checking for leaks is supposed to be done anytime its opened up and re-pressurized. Has nothing to do with 6 year or hydro tested. Even if its a recharge it should be leaked tested.​@@eathanralston1143

[@Francis_J_120]

@@eathanralston1143 It's required by NFPA 10 after any recharge for stored-pressure or self-expelling extinguishers.

[@bigt4050]

Not a fan of the 6-year maintenance sticker (the collar should be enough) sometimes get them confused for hydro-test stickers

[@billerwin7770]

Yeah some companies use the same color sticker for HT and 6-yr. It's helpful to have different colors for the different services. I used to be a technician for many years working on these.

[@bigt4050]

@@billerwin7770 I still hate that, colors can fade over the years. It should be sticker for hydro and replace the collar anytime it's taken apart. Makes it a lot easier to make sure its done right.

[@billerwin7770]

I suppose they could in some conditions. Has that happened to some of your labels? I haven't seen it in my work.

[@bigt4050]

@@billerwin7770 All the stickers we used were black and white. I have seen some extinguishers that haven't been serviced in 10+ years that had the text fade off some collars and stickers.

[@billerwin7770]

@@bigt4050 if yeah I have seen some of the black and white ones fade. And proof collars ink wear off. I don't recall seeing that with the Nafed stickers though. Maybe just the ink was not as good

[@MandJMovieTrailers]

I would get slapped if I beat the head off with a mallet.. wow

[@Francis_J_120]

Yeah that can easily damage the handle. It's preferred to use a wrench on the valve body, not the handle.

[@vestafire1644]

You forgot to remove the previous service sticker. tisk tisk

[@silcofireandsecurity]

Thank you for taking the time to comment on our video. We do remove the old 6 year maintenance sticker (blue sticker) and replace it with a new one at time of maintenance. If you are referring to the silver sticker on the extinguisher below the 6 year maintenance sticker, that is a 12 year hydrostatic test sticker, which is left on the extinguisher until the next hydrostatic test is performed. That sticker will also be replaced when that test has been completed.

[@Francis_J_120]

All previous 6-yr stickers are to be removed. The previous HT sticker remains.

[@madaneoulix1312]

You guys didn't lube the valve stem or ORing... which causes it to deteriorate.. come on take pride in your work please

[@silcofireandsecurity]

Thank you for your comment, all of our videos are for informational and marketing purposes only and may not show every step or action during inspections, maintenance or repairs. Although we didn't show it on the video, we do lubricate each O-ring before installation.

[@Francis_J_120]

Good catch. was one of the things I noticed as well.

[@xColdRamen]

He doesn't need to mallet the head on like that, that's very unnecessary lol

[@brendanconnolly453]

Sometimes they are a bitch to get off

[@West_Kootenay_railfan]

If you smack the head of the extinguisher too hard, it may bend and not work properly.

[@IsabelRoblesmontilla]

Aqe,🧯