Pressure: It’s key for keeping fire extinguishers protecting your premises functioning optimally.
A hydrostatic pressure test checks that your portable fire fighting equipment is structurally sound externally and internally.
This testing is performed by an accredited professional who is experienced in servicing fire extinguishers and knows what to look for at each stage of inspection and how to follow up on fire extinguisher test findings.
Learn more about why you need to schedule a hydrostatic test for all extinguishers on your premises regularly to ensure that your property, personnel and/or patrons are fully protected.
Any vessel that contains substances under pressure runs a risk of malfunctioning (or even combusting) if there are weak points in the vessel’s structure. Hydrostatic pressure testing involves filling a fire extinguisher with water and testing whether pressure stays consistent. A drop in pressure indicates that there is a leak or other defect, and that the fire extinguisher may need to be taken out of service.
Every type of rechargeable fire extinguisher needs to be tested periodically to ensure that it is safe to store and operate. Although recommended testing intervals depend on the extinguisher type and its standard pressure, the general recommended schedule is:
| 5 years Powder, foam and water fire extinguishers are to be pressure tested every fire years - they need to have a specified pressure test label and neck ring applied for tracing purposes and to mark the pressure to which the cylinder was tested. Foam and water will also be replaced during their five year pressure test intervals. | 10 years Every 10 years the powder inside STP DCP fire extinguishers needs to be replaced and recharged back to its normal working pressure to ensure the quality and integrity of the powder contents. |
In the course of use or storage, fire extinguishers may be dented or, under tough conditions, corrosion or other environmental factors may damage extinguishers externally or internally.
Hydrostatic testing is necessary to ensure that extinguishers that are risky to operate - or could fail when you need them most, are taken out of service and replaced with charged, ready equipment that is structurally sound and will work the way manufacturers intended.
We offer a three-day turnaround time on all testing and refilling services, from 2KG cylinders all the way up to 45KG cylinders. Speak to us today about creating a servicing and maintenance plan that will keep your portable fire solutions fully functional, reliable, and the best line of protection in the event of fire breaking out at your facilities.
When you use ERF Group for hydrostatic pressure test services, you get over 50 years’ experience in the business and the service of CO2 specialists.
How does a typical hydrostatic test process work?
The first stage of a hydrostatic test service is visual inspection. An accredited fire equipment inspector will assess the exterior of the cylinder and ensure there is no corrosion or deep dents.
If criteria are satisfied at this stage of inspection, the next step is to discharge the extinguisher safely. Remaining or residual MAP powder or other firefighting material may be removed with an air hose to ensure the cylinder is emptied.
The third stage is your technician checking the interior of the cylinder for any damage such as pitting. If flaws are found that suggest the extinguisher won’t be able to maintain reliable pressure for discharging, it will be removed permanently from service and a replacement may be sourced.
This is also when your technician will attach the hydrostatic pressure test adapter that allows filling the extinguisher with water. The test is then run in a safe environment to shield the technician from the water expelled at high pressure for the purpose of the test. The test determines whether your extinguisher is able to operate at its pressure rating and withstand high pressure (to do this, it is filled above its usual pressure rating with water). Any change of pressure would suggest a leak and make it necessary to replace the extinguisher.
Lastly, your technician would reassemble the extinguisher, ensuring that all components (such as the tamper seal, valve stem, O-ring and hose) are installed and/or replaced correctly.
If you are uncertain when you need to have fire extinguishers on your premises tested, ERF Group can assess your facility to determine what types of extinguishers you have and recommend a service plan that will take into account any specialized extinguishers that may have their own recommended recharging and hydrotesting frequency.
