Get it refilled before the next fire inspection
In Montebello, fire code work for businesses runs through the Montebello Fire Department and its Community Risk Reduction Division, which handles the state-mandated annual inspections, new business license inspections and fire and life safety checks. An extinguisher that has been fired, even briefly, is out of service until it's recharged. So is a low gauge. Inspections can be scheduled with the department at (323) 887-4507 or fireinspection@montebelloca.gov, and it makes sense to have every unit refilled and tagged before that date.
Fire extinguisher recharge in Montebello
Recharge and refill are two names for one job. The technician depressurizes the unit, empties the old agent, inspects the valve, stem and O-ring, refills with the agent shown on the label, brings it back to rated pressure, then adds a new tamper seal and a service tag. Agent has to match. ABC dry chemical units are the common type in offices and shops, while Class K wet chemical units belong in commercial kitchens and CO2 units are used around energized electrical equipment. Tell us what's on your labels.
When a recharge also needs cylinder work
Cylinder age changes the job. Stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers get an internal teardown every 6 years and a hydrostatic test every 12, and CO2, water and wet chemical units are hydrostatically tested every 5 years. If one of those dates has passed, the cylinder work comes before the refill. Check the dates on the tag. We cover that work on our hydrostatic testing page for Montebello.
Keeping units ready between visits
NFPA 10 splits the work in two: the owner looks over each extinguisher every month, and a certified technician does annual maintenance and records it on the tag. The monthly look is quick. Check that the gauge reads green, the pin and seal are in place, and nothing blocks the unit.
Our annual extinguisher certification in Montebello page covers the yearly visit, and if employees are expected to use the extinguishers, OSHA requires fire extinguisher training at hire and at least once a year after that.
Who may service extinguishers in California
Title 19 says only a firm and technician licensed by the State Fire Marshal may service portable extinguishers. Our California work is done by Hedrick Fire Protection, which holds C-16 (fire protection) and C-10 (electrical) contractor licenses and is State Fire Marshal licensed under Title 19 for extinguisher service and water-based system service. Most of the Montebello calls we get are about extinguishers.
For a refill or recharge, call (213) 568-0188 or email socal@1profire.com. Have your unit count and types ready.
See also fire extinguisher service in Montebello, the Montebello fire protection hub, and refill pages for Los Angeles County and Orange County.
Questions from Montebello callers
What does an inspection cost, and what about a recharge?
A recent Montebello quote was $35 per extinguisher for the annual inspection. A recharge is extra, and so is 6-year or 12-year cylinder service, so send us your unit count and types and we'll quote the full visit.
Will the same per-unit price apply at our other locations?
Ask us. List every address when you call or email and we'll tell you what applies at each site.
Are kitchen extinguishers refilled the same way?
Mostly, yes. A Class K unit is refilled with wet chemical agent, not dry powder.