Just going through the boat checking stuff and had a look at the fire extinguisher, the needle is in the green but looking at the regs i reckon i am up for a new one as its 2-3 years old.
From what i can tell with the Maritime Regs ( see attached pdf) they have to annually comply with the AS 1851 which to me reads they need to be tested and tagged by a competent person every 12 months. It seems that its easier to buy one every year.
Anyway i didnt realise it was a yearly service or replacement item, i had always thought it was more about where the dial was and if it was in good nick and reading it was correctly charged. Im sure someone on here will know if my reading is correct.
i have attached the Maritine pdf and a summary of the AS1851 standards which apply to Portable Fire Extinguishers, relevant section is at p7:
AS 1851 AS 1851 covers the maintenance of all fire equipment – Section 15 - Maintenance of Fire Extinguishers.
15.2 Maintenance record tag A maintenance record tag shall be provided to record the last level of inspection, test preventive maintenance and survey performed.
Maintenance record tags shall comply with the following:
(a) Provide for year and month.
(b) Be made of a suitable material.
(c) Have lettering, figures, and lines on the tag printed in black.
(d) Have a …background colour of … Golden Yellow (Y15 of AS 2700).
The level of inspection, test, preventive maintenance and survey routine carried out shall be stamped or indelibly marked on the tag in the box corresponding to the year and month in which the routine was performed, with a figure representing the routine as follows:
1 = six monthly 2 = yearly 4 = five yearly.
15.3 FREQUENCY - frequencies of inspection, test, preventive maintenance and survey apply in Clause 15.4.
(a) Six-monthly.
(b) Yearly.
(c) Five-yearly.
(d) After any usage.
Commencement of the sequence shall be based on the date of manufacture of the extinguisher, or the date of the last pressure test, whichever is the later. Upon installation, a six monthly inspection shall be carried out.
15.4 Table 15.4 - shows in detail the procedures required for type of service on all the various types of equipment. Including for example the condition of equipment, gauge, cylinder, hose nozzle, bracket singage…etc.
1. Level 1 - Six Monthly General
1.1. Fire Hazards – Check the Hazard risk in the area have not changed.
1.2. Suitability - Is the equipment still suitable? Agents , Sizes and Ratings to be confirmed.
1.3. Accessability – Is the equipment accessable, and are required distances acceptable?
Level 1 – Six Monthly Unit Inspections
1.4. Accessability – each unit must be conspicuous and accessable
1.5. Anti-Tamper Device and Maintenance Tag - intact ?
1.6. External Damage - Instructions are clean and clear, no external damage to cylinder, valve, hose or horn. Check for signs of corrosion. All parts securely attached.
1.7. Pressure Gauge – should be readable, and showing correct operating pressure.
1.8. Brackets and Signage are appropriate and in good condition.
1.9. Discharge Nozzle – check for blockages.
1.10. Weigh Extinguisher- weight should agree with label
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