California Code of Regulations
Title 19 - Public Safety
Division 1 - State Fire Marshal
Chapter 3 - Fire Extinguishers
Article 6 - Inspection, Maintenance and Recharging
Section 575.3 - Maintenance Procedures

Universal Citation: 19 CA Code of Regs 575.3

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Maintenance procedures shall include a thorough examination of the three basic elements of an extinguisher:

(1) mechanical parts

(2) extinguishing agent

(3) expelling means

EXCEPTION: During annual maintenance, it is not necessary to internally examine the following extinguisher types:

1. Non-rechargeable

2. Carbon dioxide

3. Stored pressure dry chemical or dry powder that require a 5 or 12 year hydrostatic test

4. Halogenated agent

5. Wet chemical or AFFF/FFFP that use a pre-mixed charge

6. Pressure water type

7. Water mist type

However, such extinguishers shall be thoroughly examined externally in accordance with the applicable items of 575.3(a)(1) and Table 4.

(b) Fire extinguishers shall be thoroughly examined externally and the appropriate corrective action performed in accordance with the applicable items of Table 4, External Examination Maintenance Checkpoints.

(1) For Stored Pressure Dry Chemical and Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers, see Section 575.4

(2) For Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers, see Section 575.5

(3) For Stored Pressure Halogenated Agent Fire Extinguishers, see Section 575.6

(4) For Stored Pressure Water Type Fire Extinguishers, see Section 575.7

(5) For AFFF and FFFP Fire Extinguishers that use a pre-mixed charge, see Section 575.8.

(6) For Stored Pressure Wet Chemical and Water Mist Fire Extinguishers, see Section 575.16.

(7) For Antifreeze and Loaded Stream Fire Extinguishers, see Section 575.13.

(c) Fire extinguishers shall be weighed on accurate scales, as defined in 557.1(a), and it shall be verified that the total weight is within the allowable tolerances specified by the manufacturer.

EXCEPTION: Water-type and wet chemical fire extinguishers that have the liquid amount specified on the extinguisher shell, a fill level mark or an anti-overfill tube.

(d) Scales used for maintenance of fire extinguishers shall be checked for accuracy prior to each use. The accuracy of the scales shall be confirmed with the appropriate test weight as defined in 557.1(a) and 557.1(b).

(e) Straight faced spring scales (i.e. fish scales) shall not be used.

(f) All removable extinguisher boots, foot rings, and attachments shall be removed to accommodate thorough annual cylinder examinations.

(g) Hoses on wheeled-type extinguishers shall be completely uncoiled and examined for damage.

1. New section filed 3-4-92; operative 4-3-92 (Register 92, No. 15).
2. Repealer and new section filed 12-27-2001; operative 1-1-2002 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2001, No. 52).
3. Amendment of subsection (a) EXCEPTION filed 11-21-2002; operative 1-1-2003 (Register 2002, No. 47).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending EXCEPTION to subsection (a)(3) filed 7-25-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 30).
5. Amendment of subsection (c) and new subsections (d) and (e) filed 2-28-2007; operative 3-30-2007 (Register 2007, No. 9).
6. Amendment filed 7-17-2013; operative 10-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 29).

Note: Authority cited: Section 13160, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 13160, Health and Safety Code.

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