Fire extinguisher inspections in Canada aren’t just a best practice — they’re a legal requirement. Under the National Fire Code of Canada and provincial codes like the BC Fire Code, businesses must inspect their extinguishers on a monthly and annual basis, and maintain records that prove it was done correctly.

This checklist covers both the monthly visual inspection (which any competent person can perform) and the annual maintenance inspection (which must be done by a certified technician). Use it to stay organized, stay compliant and catch problems before a fire inspector does.

Monthly Visual Inspection Checklist

Perform monthly. Document the date and the name of the person who completed the check. No certification required, but the person must be trained to recognize issues.

• ☐ Location — Is the extinguisher in its designated, clearly marked location?
• ☐ Access — Is it fully visible and accessible, with no obstructions in front of or around it?
• ☐ Pressure gauge — Is the needle in the green (operational) zone?
• ☐ Safety pin — Is the pin intact and is the tamper seal unbroken?
• ☐ Physical condition — No visible dents, rust, corrosion, leakage or damage to the shell?
• ☐ Hose and nozzle — Clear, unobstructed, no cracks or damage?
• ☐ Inspection tag — Is a valid annual inspection tag present and readable?
• ☐ Mounting — Securely mounted in the proper bracket or cabinet?

Record: Log the date, your name and the result (pass/fail). If anything fails, report it immediately and arrange service.

Annual Maintenance Inspection Checklist

Perform annually. Must be completed by a certified fire equipment technician. Results must be documented and a service tag must be attached to the extinguisher.

External Inspection

• ☐ Verify make, model, serial number and agent type against the equipment record
• ☐ Check shell for dents, corrosion, heat damage or unauthorized repairs
• ☐ Inspect hose, nozzle and horn — clear, undamaged, no blockages
• ☐ Verify operating instructions label is present, legible and correct for the agent type
• ☐ Check nameplate and rating label are securely attached and readable
• ☐ Inspect pressure gauge for correct reading and physical condition
• ☐ Verify safety pin is the correct type (pull pin, not wire)
• ☐ Check tamper seal and ensure it’s the correct type for the model
• ☐ Inspect mounting bracket or cabinet — secure, correct height (handle no higher than 1.5m)

Internal and Mechanical Inspection

• ☐ Discharge and depressurize (where required for inspection type)
• ☐ Inspect interior shell for corrosion, abrasion or damage
• ☐ Check valve assembly and all seals and O-rings
• ☐ Verify agent weight or fill level meets manufacturer specifications
• ☐ Inspect siphon tube, pick-up tube (if applicable) and dip tube
• ☐ For stored-pressure dry chemical: check for moisture or caking in the agent
• ☐ For CO₂: weigh cylinder and confirm weight is within 10% of full charge
• ☐ Reassemble and pressurize to correct operating pressure

Documentation Requirements (NFPA 10)

• ☐ Attach new inspection tag showing: date, technician name, certification number, company name, type of service, next service date
• ☐ Record service in the equipment’s permanent service history (physical or digital)
• ☐ Note any deficiencies found and corrective action taken
• ☐ Record condemn-and-replace if unit fails inspection and cannot be repaired

Periodic Testing Schedule (By Extinguisher Type)

Extinguisher Type	Internal Inspection	Hydrostatic Test
Dry Chemical (stored pressure)	Every 6 years	Every 12 years
Dry Chemical (cartridge/cylinder)	Every 6 years	Every 12 years
CO₂	Every 5 years	Every 5 years
Wet Chemical (Class K)	Every 6 years	Every 12 years
Halon / Clean Agent	Every 6 years	Every 12 years
Water / Foam	Every 5 years	Every 5 years

Common Reasons Extinguishers Fail Inspection

• Pressure gauge out of range — most common issue; extinguisher has lost charge or been partially discharged
• Missing or expired inspection tag — no documentation of last annual service
• Tamper seal broken — indicates possible unauthorized use or tampering
• Obstructed access — extinguisher is blocked by stored goods, furniture or locked behind a door
• Physical damage — dents, rust or corrosion that compromise structural integrity
• Caked or moisture-contaminated agent — common in humid environments or after long storage
• Wrong extinguisher type for the hazard — Class A unit in a kitchen where Class K is required

Keeping Records That Hold Up

A completed checklist is only useful if you can find it when it matters. Under NFPA 10, service records must be retained for the life of the equipment. In practice, this means you need a system that keeps the full service history tied to each specific extinguisher — by serial number, not by location.

Extinguishers get moved. Labels get swapped. Without records tied to a serial number or a permanent QR code, your history becomes unreliable. Digital tracking systems that link every inspection to the physical equipment — not just the building or the room — give you records that actually hold up under scrutiny.

Whether you use paper or digital, the goal is the same: every piece of equipment, every service event, documented and traceable. Get that right and compliance becomes routine instead of a scramble.