Highland Fire Extinguisher Refill

Someone pulled the pin. Maybe it was a grease flare or a smoking trash can. Either way, that extinguisher is now partly or fully empty, and it won't protect anyone until a licensed technician checks the cylinder, refills it with the right agent and puts a fresh service tag on it. Even a one-second squeeze counts.

Most of the calls we get from Highland are about fire extinguishers. Here's what a refill involves, when it won't be enough, and who to ask about code in the city.

What happens on a refill

The technician starts with the cylinder. Dents, corrosion, a cracked hose or a damaged valve can rule out a refill before any agent goes in.

Next is the hydrostatic test date. Dry chemical cylinders are tested every 12 years, and CO2, water and wet chemical (Class K) units every 5 years, so a cylinder that's past its date has to pass that test before it can be filled again. Our hydrostatic testing in Highland page explains that test.

If the unit passes, leftover agent comes out. The valve is cleaned and resealed. Then the cylinder is filled with the agent its label calls for and pressurized until the gauge reads in the green. A new tag records the work.

Fire extinguisher recharge in Highland

Recharge and refill are the same job. Some people say recharge because the unit gets pressurized again after the agent goes in. Either word gets you the same service.

Tell us one thing when you call. Was the unit used, or did the needle just drop into the red? A low gauge with no discharge usually points to a leaking valve or a worn seal, and the technician will look for that before recharging so the unit doesn't drain again on the wall.

When a used extinguisher needs more than a refill

• Teardown due. Stored-pressure dry chemical units get an internal maintenance (teardown) every 6 years. If that's coming up, it often makes sense to do it with the refill, because the cylinder is already open.
• Failed cylinder. A cylinder that fails inspection or its hydro test gets replaced. You don't refill it.
• Kitchen units. Kitchens with a hood suppression system also need a Class K extinguisher. The city expects new restaurants along Base Line Street and Greenspot Road, so if you're opening one, see our Highland kitchen fire suppression service.

Between services, check each gauge and pin once a month. The yearly tag is covered on our Highland annual extinguisher certification page.

Highland code questions, and who does the work

Highland has its own fire department. The city contracts with CAL FIRE for fire protection and emergency response, and fire marshal duties belong to the department's Fire Prevention office at (909) 864-6861 ext. 248. San Bernardino County Fire isn't the office to call about a Highland building. Portable extinguishers fall under California Fire Code Section 906. Ask Fire Prevention which edition the city enforces now.

Did staff use the extinguisher? If you provide extinguishers for employees to use, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(g) requires that they be trained when hired and at least once a year after that. See extinguisher training in Highland.

In California, a firm and technician licensed by the State Fire Marshal under Title 19 must do extinguisher service. Our California work is done by Hedrick Fire Protection. It holds C-16 and C-10 contractor licenses and is State Fire Marshal licensed for portable extinguisher service.

Highland extinguisher refill questions

Our site is unattended. Can you bill us instead of collecting payment at the visit?

Tell us when you book. We'll work out payment and site access for an unattended location before the visit is set.

The extinguisher was only used for a second. Does it still need a refill?

Yes. A partly used unit often keeps losing pressure through the valve, so a gauge that looks fine today can read empty a week later.

Can every used extinguisher be refilled?

No. A damaged or corroded cylinder, or one that fails its hydrostatic test, gets replaced, and disposable units are made to be thrown away after use.

Who answers extinguisher code questions for a Highland business?

The Fire Prevention office at the City of Highland Fire Department. Call (909) 864-6861 ext. 248.

To book a refill in Highland, call (909) 219-9411 or email us at socal@1profire.com