SENTRY Carbon Dioxide Hand Portable Fire Extinguishers
Operation, Inspection, Service and Maintenance,
and Recharge Manual (Part No. 429425)
INTRODUCTION
2018-OCT-11 REV. 05 PAGE 1
INTRODUCTION
When utilized, the Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSHA) rules require that ‘‘the employer shall be responsible
for the inspection, maintenance, and testing of all portable
extinguishers in the work place.’’ Details are provided in the
Code of Federal Regulations 29 CFR 1910.157(e) and in
Appendixes A and B to Subpart L, referencing the provisions
of NFPA 10 as guidelines. The latest edition of NFPA 10
‘‘Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers’’ is available from
the National Fire Protection Association, visit www.nfpa.org.
The Compressed Gas Association Inc. CGA C-6 ‘‘Standards
For Visual Inspection of Steel Compressed Gas Cylinders’’
and CGA C-6.1 ‘‘Standards For Visual Inspection of High
Pressure Aluminum Compressed Gas Cylinders’’ provides
information on determining unacceptable dents and corrosion.
It is available from the Compressed Gas Association, Inc., visit
www.cganet.com.
RESPONSIBILITY
The owner or occupant of a property in which fire extin-
guishers are located has an obligation for the care and use of
these extinguishers at all times. By doing so, he/she is contrib-
uting to the protection of life and property. The nameplates
and instruction manual should be read and thoroughly under-
stood by all personnel who may be expected to operate,
recharge, inspect or maintain the extinguishers.
!
WARNING
When performing recharge, use only those materials specified
on the extinguisher nameplate. The use of other recharging
materials may reduce the efficiency, cause malfunction, or
result in rupture of the extinguisher that could cause injury to
the operator.
INSPECTION
Inspection is a ‘‘quick-check’’ to give reasonable assurance
an extinguisher is fully charged and operable. It includes
checking that an extinguisher is in its designated location, that
it has not been actuated or tampered with, and that there is
no obvious physical damage or condition to prevent operation.
The value of an inspection lies in the frequency, regularity,
and thoroughness with which it is conducted. The frequency
will vary from hourly to monthly, based on the needs of the
situation.
MAINTENANCE
Extinguishers shall be maintained at regular intervals, not
more than one year apart, or when specifically indicated by
an inspection. Maintenance is a ‘‘thorough check’’ to give
maximum assurance the extinguisher will operate effec-
tively and safely. It includes a thorough examination and any
necessary repair, recharge, or replacement. It will normally
reveal if there is a need for hydrostatic testing.
RECHARGE
All extinguishers shall be recharged immediately after use, or
when indicated by an inspection or maintenance examination.
Recharge is the replacement or replenishment of the
suppressing agent.
HYDROTEST
Extinguishers shall be hydrostatically tested at regular
intervals as required in the latest edition of NFPA 10,
‘‘Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers,’’ or more frequently
when inspection or maintenance dictates a specific need.
Such tests are usually required on extinguisher shells and
some hose assemblies. For further details, see SENTRY/
CLEANGUARD Fire Extinguisher Hydrostatic Test Instructions
(Form No. T-2017001).
!
WARNING
For safety: If, at any time, an extinguisher shows evidence of
corrosion or mechanical injury, it shall be subjected to a hydro-
static pressure test or replaced.
!
WARNING
Do not use air or gas for pressure testing. Failure to comply
could result in severe personal injury or death if the shell
ruptures.
RECORD KEEPING
Each extinguisher shall have a tag or label securely attached
that indicates the month and year the maintenance was
performed and shall identify the person performing the service.
The same record tag or label shall indicate if recharging was
also performed. The tag shall not be placed on the front of
the extinguisher where it could obscure operating instructions.
At least monthly, the date the inspection was performed and
the initials of the person performing the inspection shall be
recorded.
In addition to the required tag or label, a permanent file
record should be kept for each extinguisher. The file record
should also include the maintenance date and the name of
the person or agency performing the maintenance; the date
when last recharged and the name of the person performing
the hydrostatic test; and a description of dents remaining after
passing a hydrostatic test.
Parts of the above taken from NFPA Pamphlet 10.
