Fire Extinguisher Testing Australian Standards

Do you switch off when flight attendants are performing the pre-flight safety demonstration? Have you worked in the same office for five years but couldn’t say where the fire extinguisher is located? You’re not alone. We get it, safety can be boring. But at the end of the day, these simple things could be the difference between life and death. 

That’s why completing maintenance on your fire safety equipment might seem boring and forgettable, but it is actually incredibly important to stay on top of. 

Fire equipment like extinguishers and fire blankets need to be regularly tested, not only to comply with government standards but also to ensure that they actually work if and when you need to use them. 

There’s no point having a fire extinguisher if it is not in working order. This puts you and your staff at risk and it could be deadly in an emergency situation. 

But what are the fire extinguisher testing Australian standards? How often do workplaces need to get their extinguishers checked and by who?

It’s an important question, because every business should be across fire safety and compliance. Service and maintenance of fire safety equipment is required by law in Queensland workplaces, but knowing the ins and outs of those requirements can seem like a daunting task. That is why many businesses enlist the help of a professional service that can do everything for them, from providing and installing fire equipment, to undertaking scheduled maintenance and testing to keep you compliant.

Fire extinguisher testing Australian standards

According to the Australian Standard AS 1851 Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment;

• Fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced every six months.
• Fire extinguishers need to be pressure tested every five years. 
• The testing intervals must be recorded on the metal tag or label on the extinguisher. 
• If an extinguisher doesn’t have a pressure gauge, it will likely need to be weighed to see whether it is full. 
• If an extinguisher is partly or fully discharged, it needs to be recharged. 
• Inspection and testing needs to be carried out by an approved service provider, licenced under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission. 

But what fire extinguisher should you use for what type of fire? There are different ratings of fire extinguishers and these relate to the size and class of fires that they can be used on. Each extinguisher can be rated for one or more class of fire, and usually the higher the rating, the larger the fire it can be used on. But understanding the different ratings and classes can be confusing if it isn’t your area of expertise.

When buying fire equipment, many people are unaware of the regular servicing and maintenance they require, or forget to follow scheduled inspections. That’s why it’s safest and easier to leave the testing and maintenance of fire equipment to a professional service. Professional technicians will know the fire extinguisher testing standards and will keep your equipment in working order. 

It’s important to also know that other fire equipment like Fire Blankets & Fire Hose Reels are required to be serviced every six months, along with the extinguishers. There is a multitude of fire safety equipment, and each has a specific use in the prevention and control of fire incidents. Everything from emergency and exit lighting, hydrants and hose reels, and fire detection and alarm systems play a part in fire safety. 

Instead of trying to stay on top of every piece of equipment and the testing requirements of each, getting an experienced and reliable service to manage all of this for you is the easiest and most effective way to manage your fire safety. 

Why choose Brisbane Fire Services?

Brisbane Fire Services are experienced in everything fire safety. Our technicians provide businesses all over Brisbane with regular 6 month fire extinguisher testing for all extinguishers, hydrants and hose reels in accordance with the QLD regulations and all relevant Australian Standards. This service gives you peace of mind and means you don’t have to worry about remembering the compliance standards, we manage everything for you from start to finish.

We provide friendly & professional advice on which extinguisher best suits the risks for your premises and those required to meet relevant legislation, OH&S requirements and Australian Standards. On top of this, we supply and install a wide range of fire extinguishers, fire hydrants and hose reels for workplaces across Brisbane, so we provide a one stop shop service.

We hope this article has answered your question about the fire extinguisher testing Australian standards. If you have any further questions about this or our services, get in touch with our team today here or give us a call on 0499 198 427.