Hydrostatic Testing in Carlsbad

Which of your extinguishers are due?

Check the label first. Every extinguisher has a manufacture date, and many also carry a label from their last hydrostatic test. The interval depends on what's inside the cylinder:

• Dry chemical: every 12 years.
• CO2: every 5 years.
• Water: every 5 years.
• Wet chemical (Class K, for cooking oils and fats): every 5 years.

Stored-pressure dry chemical units also get an internal teardown at 6 years, so a dry chemical unit gets opened at year 6 and pressure tested at year 12, even if nobody ever pulls the pin. Not sure about yours? We can read the dates at your annual visit.

What happens during a hydrostatic test

The test shows whether the shell can still hold pressure. A technician empties the extinguisher, removes the valve and fills the cylinder with water. It's then pressurized and watched for leaks, bulges or stretching. Pass, and the unit is dried, refilled and marked with the test date. Fail, and it comes out of service. Cylinders with deep dents, rust or damaged threads may be condemned on sight, before any water goes in.

Test it or replace it?

For a small dry chemical unit, new is often the better buy. A recent Carlsbad quote for a new extinguisher, installed, came to $80 plus tax, and that price included the annual certification tag, the wall bracket and the arrow sign above it. Recent quotes for annual certification in Carlsbad have run $35 to $40 per extinguisher. Larger units, CO2 and Class K extinguishers are a different calculation. Ask us to price both.

Inspections in Carlsbad and who does the work

Business fire inspections in Carlsbad are done by the Carlsbad Fire Department's Fire & Life Safety Division under the city Fire Marshal, and its annual program covers the occupancies the California Health & Safety Code requires to be inspected every year. A cylinder past its test date is easy to spot.

In California, extinguisher service must be done by a firm and technician licensed by the State Fire Marshal under Title 19. Our California work is done by Hedrick Fire Protection. Hedrick holds C-16 (fire protection) and C-10 (electrical) contractor licenses and is licensed by the State Fire Marshal under Title 19 for portable extinguisher service and for inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems.

Carlsbad is in our service area. Call (619) 568-5440 or email socal@1profire.com with how many extinguishers you have and what type each one is, and we'll set up the work.