Fire Extinguisher Refill in Los Angeles

Refills for Los Angeles buildings

Most of the calls we get from Los Angeles are about fire extinguishers. Some come after someone pulled the pin on a real fire. Others start with a tag several years out of date, or a fire department compliance notice with a deadline attached. Either way, the unit needs work.

A used extinguisher needs a recharge. That's true after a short burst as well, because a partly discharged unit can slowly lose the pressure it has left, and a half-empty cylinder won't get you through a real fire. Low gauge? Same answer.

Inside city limits, the Fire Prevention Bureau of the Los Angeles Fire Department handles business fire code enforcement. If you're working from one of its notices, have it with you when you call, because the cited items tell the technician which units to start with.

Fire extinguisher recharge at your site

We come to the building. On a recharge the technician checks the cylinder for dents and corrosion, releases any remaining pressure, empties the old agent, inspects the valve and hose, refills the unit with the agent it was built for, pressurizes it, checks for leaks, and puts on a new seal and a dated service tag.

The agent has to match the extinguisher. ABC dry chemical goes back into ABC units, while CO2, water and wet chemical (Class K) units each take their own agent.

When a refill isn't enough

Some cylinders are due for more than a refill. Stored-pressure dry chemical units get an internal teardown every 6 years and a hydrostatic test every 12. CO2, water and wet chemical units are hydro tested every 5 years. Is the unit over 12 years old, or visibly damaged? We'll usually recommend replacing it.

What recharge and certification cost

Recent Los Angeles quotes have run $30 per extinguisher for inspection and recharge on a five-unit job. Annual certification has run $35 to $40 per extinguisher, and one recent quote for a single unit included the site visit with no trip charge at all. A new 5-lb ABC extinguisher has run $80 to $85 plus tax, installed and certified for its first year. Teardown and hydro are priced on site.

Not sure how many you need? The technician can walk the site and tell you.

Who can refill an extinguisher in California

California requires extinguisher service to 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 State Fire Marshal licensed under Title 19 for portable extinguisher service.

Is your address in the city?

Some ZIPs carry a Los Angeles name. 90022 and 90023 cover East Los Angeles and parts of Commerce, 90040 is the City of Commerce, and 90058 is shared with Vernon, so a different fire authority may cover your address. Confirm which agency covers you before you go by an LAFD rule. For those addresses, see fire extinguisher refill in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles refill questions

Should I recharge my overdue extinguishers or replace them?

Have them inspected first. A unit in good shape can usually be recharged, certified and tagged again, while one past 12 years old or visibly damaged is usually better replaced.

Does a new extinguisher still need certification?

A new 5-lb unit from us comes certified for its first year. After that, it needs annual maintenance by a licensed technician.

Do I need a permit for extinguisher service?

No. Refills and annual service don't require a permit.

Is there a charge for the site visit?

Recent certification quotes in Los Angeles included the on-site visit with no trip charge. Ask when you book.

I've been buying new extinguishers every year. Do I have to?

No. Annual inspection and certification keeps a sound unit in service for years, and recent quotes for it have run about half the price of a new 5-lb extinguisher.

Phone: (213) 568-0188 · Email: socal@1profire.com