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24 MAY 2016 FOGHORN SAFETYMATTERS for example may be an indication that someone has used the extin- guisher and discharged a portion of the contents too small to affect the pressure gauge. Unlike in years past it is not necessary to shake or tap a dry chemical extinguisher during the monthly inspection according to Morgan Hurley former NFPA Technical Director and now Fire Protection Engineer at Jensen Hughes. Problems found that can impact the operation of the extinguisher must be corrected immediately. Broken seals corrosion a light extinguisher and a gauge not reading in the green will require the extinguisher to be sent in for maintenance or replacement. In addition carbon dioxide and halo- carbon portable fire extinguishers must be refilled when the net content weight loss exceeds 10 percent and five percent respectively. See 46 CFR 115.810 and 176.810 Maintenance Maintenance involves a thorough examination of the mechanical parts extinguishing agent and expelling means of each portable fire extinguish- er and should only be conducted by people who possess a written certifi- cate in fire extinguisher maintenance according to Hurley. Maintenance is required at least once a year more frequently when indicated by a routine monthly inspec- tion as discussed above. Maintenance is also required whenever extinguishers undergo hydrostatic testing. Six-Year Maintenance Every six years stored pressure fire extinguishers that require a 12-year hy- drostatic test e.g. dry chemical extin- guishers must be emptied and proper maintenance procedures performed as per NFPA 10. The exception to this requirement is non-rechargeable ex- tinguishers which are required to be removed from service 12 years from the date of manufacture. Again this maintenance must be performed by a certified fire extinguisher servicing company. Hydrostatic testing At certain intervals fire extinguish- ers are required to be pressure-tested using water or some other non-com- pressible fluid to verify the integrity of the cylinder. This is called hydrostatic testing and includes both an internal and external examination of the cylinder. Because this testing requires special training and equipment it needs to be performed by a certified fire extinguisher servicing company. Hydrostatic testing intervals for fire extinguishers are outlined in NFPA 10 but test intervals for some of the most commonly found extinguishers are as follows Pressurized water carbon dioxide and wet chemical extinguishers every 5 years Dry chemical extinguishers every 12 years