The short answer
For most extinguishers, no. Some water extinguishers and cartridge-operated ones can be recharged if you have all the proper equipment and supplies, like the right chemical and cartridges. Most people don't, and for everything else, refilling, which the trade calls recharging, isn't a do-it-yourself job. NFPA 10, the national standard for portable extinguishers, says recharging has to be done by a certified person, and fire marshals go by that standard. An extinguisher somebody refilled in the back room won't pass inspection, and worse, it might not work when somebody grabs it.
If yours has been used, has lost pressure, or is due, call us. We recharge on site when we can.
Why it isn't a DIY job
An extinguisher looks simple, but it's a pressure vessel, and getting a recharge right takes four things most shops don't have.
The right agent. ABC dry chemical, BC dry chemical, Purple K, wet chemical for kitchens, CO2, and clean agents are all different, and each extinguisher is built for one of them. Put the wrong agent in, or mix two, and it may not put out the fire it was there for.
The right amount. Every extinguisher is made to hold a set weight of agent, and a tech weighs it on a scale to get it right. Too little and it runs out early. Too much and it won't discharge the way it should.
The right pressure. Most extinguishers get pressurized with dry nitrogen through an adapter made for that valve. The tech uses a regulated tank and a gauge to hit the pressure the extinguisher was built for.
A sound cylinder. Before it gets refilled, the cylinder has to be checked. Depending on the type, it also needs a hydrostatic test every 5 or 12 years, where it gets pressure-tested to make sure it can still hold. A weak cylinder can rupture under pressure, and that can hurt somebody.
What goes wrong when you do it yourself
It fails inspection, and the fire marshal can take it out of service. It might not work, because the wrong agent, the wrong weight, or the wrong pressure can leave it coming up short in a fire. It can hurt somebody, because a damaged or overfilled cylinder can let go. And if there's ever a fire, you don't want to be explaining a homemade refill to your insurance company.
What to do instead
- Take the used extinguisher down so nobody grabs it thinking it's good.
- Call us at 1-800-348-9604 or send the quote form.
- We recharge on site when we can. If it has to come back to the shop, a loaner goes up in its place until yours is back.
- We leave a report for your files, and we keep up with the date.
When replacing makes more sense
Sometimes a recharge isn't worth it. If the cylinder is dented or rusted, the valve is damaged, or it's an older unit that would cost more to test and recharge than it's worth, it's usually time for a new one. The tech will tell you which way makes sense. When it's a new one, we match the extinguisher to the hazard.
Questions
- Is it illegal to refill your own extinguisher?
- It usually isn't a crime. Some water and cartridge-operated extinguishers can be recharged if you have the proper equipment and supplies, like the right chemical and cartridges. But NFPA 10 says recharging has to be done by a certified person, and fire codes go by that standard. A homemade refill won't pass inspection.
- Can I just buy refill powder?
- You might find agent for sale, but the powder isn't the hard part. Getting the right agent, the right weight, and the right pressure into a cylinder that's been checked takes the tools and training a tech has.
- Do throwaway extinguishers get recharged?
- No. Disposable extinguishers, usually the small ones sold for homes, are made to be used once and replaced. Most commercial extinguishers can be recharged.
- What should we do after we use one?
- Take it out of service right away and call us to get it recharged. If your people need a refresher on using one, read our guide to using a fire extinguisher.
Tell us what got used
Call 1-800-348-9604 and tell us how many got used and where. We'll get them recharged and back where they belong.