A portable fire extinguisher is your first line of defense against a fire; however, if it isn’t working
properly, it isn’t going to do you or anyone else any good. To ensure that you’re ready in the event that
a fire does strike, make sure you have your fire extinguishers recharged and refilled.
When Should a Fire Extinguisher be Recharged or Refilled?
Fire extinguishers need to be properly charged (have the right amount of pressure) to put out the
extinguishing agent that is housed within the canister. If the pressure is too low, the extinguishing agent
won’t be expelled, rendering the device useless.
Over time, fire extinguishers can lose the pressure. They also use pressure every time they are used.
Take a look at the gauge of your fire extinguisher. If it isn’t in the “OK” green zone, then you need to
have it recharged as soon as possible!
In order to recharge or refill a fire extinguisher, you need to have access to a unit that is specifically
designed for recharging these devices. You also need to have a supply of the extinguishing agent that
fills the canister, as well as the knowledge and skill needed to properly refill and repressurize your unit.
While technically, yes, you could recharge and refill a fire extinguisher on your own, it isn’t
recommended. You may not have access to the right tools or you may make a mistake when doing this
important task.
