Which extinguishers are due for a hydro test
A hydrostatic test shows whether an extinguisher cylinder can still hold its pressure safely. How often it's due depends on what's inside.
- Every 5 years: CO2, water and wet chemical (Class K) extinguishers.
- Every 12 years: stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers, including the common ABC type.
Dry chemical units also get an internal maintenance (a full teardown) at the 6-year mark, halfway between hydro tests. So a 12-year cylinder gets opened twice in that span. Check the label. The cylinder is marked with the date of its last test, and the annual service tag shows when a licensed technician last serviced it. If your kitchen keeps a Class K unit near the hood, that unit is on the shorter five-year cycle.
What happens to the cylinder
The technician empties the extinguisher and takes the valve off. Next comes a check of the cylinder inside and out for rust, dents and damaged threads. Then it's filled with water and pressurized above its normal working pressure while the technician watches for leaks, bulging or any permanent stretch in the metal. Why water? It barely compresses. A failure under water pressure doesn't release energy the way compressed gas would.
Pass, and the unit is dried, recharged, sealed and labeled with the new test date. Fail, and it's done. A failed cylinder can't be recharged or hung back on the wall, so it's emptied and sent for recycling.
Who can do the work, and who to call at LAFD
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, which holds C-16 fire protection and C-10 electrical contractor licenses and is State Fire Marshal licensed for extinguisher service and water-based system work.
Van Nuys isn't its own city. It's a neighborhood of Los Angeles, so the Los Angeles Fire Department covers it, through its Valley Bureau. For Fire & Life Safety Inspection Clearances, contact the LAFD Fire Prevention Bureau Valley Public Safety Unit at 818-374-1110, and ask them which fire code edition applies to your building.
Related services in Van Nuys and nearby
Most of the calls we get from Van Nuys are about fire extinguishers. A hydro test is often handled on the same visit as other extinguisher work:
- Annual fire extinguisher certification in Van Nuys
- Fire extinguisher refill and recharge
- Fire extinguisher service for Van Nuys properties
- Fire extinguisher training for your staff
See all our services on the Van Nuys fire protection page. Outside Van Nuys, we also do hydrostatic testing across Los Angeles County, plus Orange County hydrostatic testing and San Bernardino County hydrostatic testing.
We cover Van Nuys street addresses in ZIP codes 91401, 91405, 91406 and 91411.
To schedule hydrostatic testing in Van Nuys, call (213) 568-0188 or email socal@1profire.com. If you can, have each unit's type, size and label dates ready.
Common questions
Do my extinguishers just need a recharge, or a full inspection and certification?
It depends on the dates. If a unit is past its hydro date or its 6-year teardown date, it needs that service before it can be recharged and tagged. If the dates are current, a recharge plus the annual service may be all it needs.
Is it cheaper to recharge or buy new?
It varies by unit. Send us the type, size and test dates from the label and we'll go over both options with you.
How often does a CO2 extinguisher need a hydro test?
Every five years. Water and wet chemical units follow the same cycle.
What do you do with a cylinder that fails or that I want to retire?
It gets emptied and recycled. Our recent quote for extinguisher disposal and recycling was $3.