A fire extinguisher puts out a small fire before it spreads, but only if the unit is accessible, charged, and working properly. Fire extinguisher inspections confirm all three, catching potential problems before an emergency does. In San Francisco, fire extinguisher inspections aren’t optional. They’re required by law for commercial and multi-unit residential properties under California Fire Code, ensuring each building’s first line of fire defense is ready if it’s needed.

Fire extinguishers are often a building’s first line of defense against fire, but they’re only effective if they’re accessible, charged, and in working condition. Regular fire extinguisher inspections ensure that your extinguishers are ready to use in an emergency, identifying potential issues like low pressure, physical damage, or tampering before they become critical.

How Often Does a Fire Extinguisher Need to Be Inspected?

Fire extinguishers need two types of inspection at specific intervals mandated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 10, which has been adopted into the California Fire Code:

  • Monthly Visual Check: A quick check performed by the building owner or designated staff to ensure the extinguisher is in its designated location, that it’s accessible and not obstructed, that the pressure gauge is in the operable range, and that the tamper seal and pin are intact. This catches obvious issues like a missing or damaged extinguisher. For more on the importance of these regular checks, see our post on why servicing your fire extinguisher matters.
A meticulous technician performing a quarterly fire sprinkler inspection, carefully reviewing the checklist to ensure compliance and safety in a workplace environment.
  • Annual Maintenance Inspection: A thorough examination by a licensed fire protection company like Aura Fire Safety. This includes a check of the extinguisher’s mechanical parts, an assessment of its condition, and a review of its maintenance history. The technician will also weigh the extinguisher to ensure that it’s fully charged, and they’ll replace the tamper seal and attach a new certification tag to document the inspection. This level of scrutiny is required by law for all commercial and multi-unit residential properties in San Francisco. 
  • Internal Examination and Hydrostatic Test (every 5, 6, or 12 years depending on type): The extinguisher is discharged, disassembled, and examined internally for damage or corrosion. The cylinder is then hydrostatically tested to ensure it can withstand the pressure of a full charge. Finally, the extinguisher is reassembled, recharged, and returned to service. The frequency of this test varies by extinguisher type.

The monthly visual check is an important regular task for building owners and property managers, but it’s not a substitute for the in-depth annual inspection performed by a qualified professional. Both are essential for ensuring extinguishers are always ready for use in an emergency. For a closer look at what fire marshals look for during an inspection, check out our post on preparing your building for a fire marshal inspection.

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What Happens During an Annual Fire Extinguisher Inspection?

During an annual fire extinguisher inspection, a licensed fire protection technician will:

  • Confirm that the extinguisher is accessible and in its designated location
  • Check the tamper seal to ensure the extinguisher hasn’t been discharged or tampered with
  • Examine the extinguisher for physical damage, corrosion, or leakage
  • Ensure the pressure gauge is in the operable range
  • Check the weight of the extinguisher to ensure it’s fully charged
  • Verify that the operating instructions are legible and facing outward
  • Confirm the extinguisher is the correct type for the hazard it’s protecting
  • Check the maintenance history to ensure the extinguisher hasn’t missed any required servicing
  • Replace the tamper seal and attach a new certification tag documenting the completed inspection

If any issues are found during the inspection, the technician will recommend the appropriate course of action, whether that’s recharging, repairs, or replacement. In some cases, an extinguisher that fails inspection can be serviced on the spot. If an extinguisher needs to be taken off-site for servicing, the technician will provide a replacement extinguisher so that the building is never without coverage.

Legal and Regulatory Requirements

In San Francisco, fire extinguisher inspections are not optional. They’re required by law. The California Fire Code, which is based on the International Fire Code and the NFPA standards, mandates that all portable fire extinguishers in commercial and multi-unit residential buildings be inspected annually by a licensed fire protection company.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, citations, and other penalties from the San Francisco Fire Department. In the event of a fire, a building owner who has failed to properly maintain their fire extinguishers may also be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur as a result.

That’s why it’s so important to work with a licensed and experienced fire protection company like Aura Fire Safety. We’ve been helping San Francisco businesses and property owners maintain their fire safety equipment for over 27 years, and we’re committed to ensuring that every building we service is fully compliant with all applicable fire codes and regulations. 

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Cost of Fire Extinguisher Inspections

The cost of a fire extinguisher inspection can vary depending on the number and type of extinguishers in your building, but at Aura Fire Safety, our inspections start at just $95 per extinguisher.

This price includes:

  • A thorough examination of each extinguisher by a licensed fire protection technician
  • Replacement of the tamper seal and attachment of a new certification tag
  • A detailed inspection report documenting the condition of each extinguisher
  • Recommendations for any necessary repairs or replacements
  • Peace of mind knowing that your building is in compliance with all fire safety regulations

If an extinguisher needs to be recharged or repaired, there will be an additional cost for those services. However, our technicians will always provide you with an estimate for any additional work before it’s performed, so you’ll never be surprised by unexpected fees.

It’s also important to note that while the cost of a fire extinguisher inspection may seem like an unnecessary expense, it’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your building is prepared for a fire emergency. Plus, regular inspections can actually save you money in the long run by catching small problems before they turn into big, expensive repairs.

Schedule Your San Francisco Fire Extinguisher Inspection Today

If you’re due for a fire extinguisher inspection in San Francisco, don’t wait – contact Aura Fire Safety today to schedule your service. Our licensed technicians will ensure that your extinguishers are in top working condition and that your building is in compliance with all fire safety regulations. We offer flexible scheduling to minimize disruption to your business operations, and we’ll always provide you with a detailed inspection report for your records.

In addition to fire extinguisher inspections, we also offer a full range of fire protection services, including fire alarm inspections, fire sprinkler inspections, and more. We’re your one-stop shop for all your fire safety needs in San Francisco, and we’re committed to providing the highest level of service and expertise to every client we serve.

Don’t let a neglected fire extinguisher put your property and the people inside it at risk. Contact Aura Fire Safety today to schedule your fire extinguisher inspection and take the first step towards a safer, more compliant building. And for more information on why regular fire extinguisher servicing is so important, check out our blog post on the importance of servicing your fire extinguisher.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a fire extinguisher fails an inspection, the technician will recommend the appropriate course of action, whether that’s recharging, repairs, or replacement. In some cases, the extinguisher can be serviced on the spot. If it needs to be taken off-site for servicing, the technician will provide a replacement extinguisher so that the building is never without coverage.

The lifespan of a fire extinguisher varies depending on the type and manufacturer, but most extinguishers need to be replaced every 5-15 years. However, if an extinguisher fails a hydrostatic test or is damaged beyond repair, it will need to be replaced immediately, regardless of its age.

Yes, building owners or designated staff members can perform the monthly visual checks of fire extinguishers. However, the annual inspection must be performed by a licensed fire protection technician in order to be compliant with NFPA 10 and the California Fire Code.
Aura Fire Safety inspects all types of portable fire extinguishers, including ABC dry chemical, BC dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water, foam, and wet chemical extinguishers. Our technicians are trained and licensed to work on all makes and models of extinguishers.

If you have any questions about your fire extinguisher inspection or any of the services we provide, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to answer your questions and provide you with the information you need to keep your building safe and compliant. And for more information on staying compliant with your fire safety inspection requirements, check out our blog post on staying compliant with your fire inspection requirements.

What Clients Are Saying

Daryl is simply fantastic – her customer service game is top notch! I, of course, called with a minor emergency, and while their schedule was too packed to shoehorn a technician appointment for me the same day, Daryl was so kind, accommodating, and responsive that I will not hesitate to contact Aura when the next leak arises.

repeat customer happy with reliable fire alarm inspection service

Laura P.

7/6/2018

I hired Aura to test and certify the fire panels in 2 apartment buildings in SF. Sophath was professional (punctual, wore a mask, explained everything clearly) and a pleasure to work with. Turns out each building had a sensor/detector which needed to be replaced, so he had to return a second time. Despite that, the cost was reasonable, and I plan to use them for future annual certifications.

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Ron C.

8/26/2020

This company was great to work with. Quick response to my inquiry,arrived right on time for repair/troubleshooting ,excellent follow up and competitively priced. Would definitely hire again.

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Brian H.

9/17/2020

Vladi and his crew installed a fire sprinkler system in our two cottages that were newly built on our property in Berkeley. They designed the system and supplied the calculations along with the permits to the city of Berkeley, and completed the work which passed the fire inspections. Vladi was always a delight to talk to, very positive and always willing to work with me. I actually miss having a reason to call Vladi. And after they finished the cottages, we backed out of a contract to add fire sprinklers to the existing house, Vladi gladly refunded 100% of our deposit because of the stress I had endured this year. I will gladly use them in the future if and when I need to have our fire system serviced.

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Susan F.

9/8/2020

As a first time condo owner, it was very helpful that the technician explained what he was doing and what I needed to be aware about. This was super easy to schedule and quick service.

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Sarah L.

6/22/2020

My Architect, Ahmad introduced Vladi, Aura Fire Safety for Fire system at Himalayan Pizza and Momo. We are very happy with their work and they clearly know what they are doing. Vladi often visits job site and see how things are progressing. Our fire inspection passed successfully at first time without any problem. Vladi and his team listen customer well and make sure everything is planned good before they start their job. I would highly recommend them for Fire system protection, especially for commercial business.

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Santosh G.

4/19/2018

These guys were great to work with, professional, friendly, explaining the whole process of a 5 year sprinkler inspection. From the technician Chris who did the work to Carlyn in the office, it is great when a business still believes in customer service & are just genuinely really Nice people to work with!

customer satisifid with 5 year fire inspection services

Wesley B.

8/31/2016

Aura Fire Safety did a great Job. As a General Contractor, I routinely look for subcontractors I can trust to do thorough, timely work. I found my experience with Aura Fire to be smooth, timely and pleasant all around. Easy to work with in the field and office, I will certainly call on them again. TM

loyal client pleased with fire alarm monitoring services

T M.

5/27/2016

Great customer service. Very responsive. They installed an Ansul system for us and they were competitively priced, on time, efficient and cleaned up after themselves. Highly recommended!

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Jeff V.

6/15/2016

We needed a backflow prevention system to be installed to an existing fire sprinkler for our TIC to condo conversion project. Aura was the first one of 5 companies to respond to my request for estimate. Of 2 companies who did respond to my request, Aura was less expensive. Vladi was very pleasant to communicate with for scheduling technicians and inspections and Jesse was very professional and did an excellent job and provided detailed info for maintenance. Highly recommended.

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Amie N.

3/1/2016

Very professional and attentive service. Vladi took care of my restaurant and got me through final inspections. Highly recommend!

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Vano H.

7/11/2016

Great Service!. Vlad and his team are top notch. Responsive, expert and trustworthy. They were easy to work with, very professional, showed up when they said they would, did the work the said they would and followed up to insure satisfaction. Could not ask for a better experience.

happy customer left a review for the best fire sprinkler monitoring company

Chip R.

4/15/2016

Aura Fire has replaced our fire sprinkler heads and perform our annual testings. They are very professional and always keep good communications with me throughout the process. Vladi and Jose are a great team. I would recommend them for your fire safety needs!

annual client happy with reliable fire sprinkler monitoring service

D D.

9/23/2015

Our HOA started using Aura this year, and we are very happy with the service. Vladi and Jose both are knowledgable and responsive to our needs. We fired our prior vendor and hired Aura and have no regrets!

customer satisified with commercial fire sprinkler installation service

Alex T.

5/23/2016

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