When it comes to protecting lives and property, fire extinguishers play a major role! But without regular testing, there is no way to know whether your fire safety equipment is ready for a fire emergency.
Under NZS 4503:2005 - Hand Operated Fire-Fighting Equipment, all workplaces and commercial properties in New Zealand must ensure fire extinguishers are regularly inspected and maintained. Along with serious fines for non-compliance, missing routine checks can have deadly consequences during a fire incident.
So, how often should fire extinguishers be tested in NZ? What are the main extinguisher types, and which one is right for your environment?
In this easy guide, The Local Guys will cover everything you need to know about New Zealand fire extinguishers, their testing requirements and frequency, and how to stay compliant with local regulations.
A Guide to Fire Extinguisher Testing Intervals
How often do fire extinguishers need to be tested in New Zealand?
Fire extinguishers need to be tested at least once every 12 months to stay compliant with New Zealand safety standards.
Fire Extinguisher Service Intervals
| Service Type | Frequency | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Routine fire extinguisher inspection | Annual / Every 12 months | Every type of fire extinguisher |
| Standard fire extinguisher inspection in a hostile environment | Every 6 months | Fire extinguishers located in hostile or hazardous environments |
| Special service involving fire extinguisher discharge and refill | Every 3 years | Foam fire extinguishers and wet chemical fire extinguishers |
| Level 4 service with hydrostatic pressure testing | Every 5 years | Every type of fire extinguisher |
Every 12 months: is the standard requirement for fire extinguisher testing in New Zealand, as outlined in NZS 4503:2005 - Hand Operated Fire-Fighting Equipment. This annual inspection helps ensure that fire safety devices are properly maintained and ready to perform in an emergency situation.
6 monthly testing: may be necessary for fire extinguishers in hazardous environments. If your property is listed as a hazardous area after a professional risk assessment, then your fire extinguishers are subject to stricter regulatory requirements. Extra testing every
3 years: is mandatory for foam and wet chemicals fire extinguishers in New Zealand. The extinguisher will need to be discharged and refilled during the service.
Every 5 years: hydrostatic testing is a legal safety requirement under NZS 4503:2005 - Hand Operated Fire-Fighting Equipment. All fire extinguishers must successfully complete a Level 4 service or be replaced.
What are the steps of a routine fire extinguisher test?
- Visual inspection (of the cylinder, safety pin, O-ring, pressure gauge etc.) to ensure the extinguisher isn't damaged
- Risk assessment of the fire extinguisher placement and location signs
- Integrity and pressure testing to ensure the cylinder is still pressurised
- Weighing of the fire extinguisher to check that it is full of foam/gas/liquid
- Tagging each fire extinguisher with a compliance tag
- Service reporting and documentation to provide a record of safety compliance testing
Did you know checking the fire extinguisher placement and signage is one of the most important tests? If your fire extinguisher isn’t easy to see or access in an emergency, it’s not going to help anyone. Each step in the fire extinguisher testing process is designed to catch potential issues before it’s too late. A damaged cylinder, missing safety pin, or low pressure reading could mean your extinguisher fails when it’s needed most. These routine checks aren’t just for compliance; they can save lives!
Do Fire Extinguishers Expire in NZ?
Yes, fire extinguishers expire! Under New Zealand fire safety standards NZS 4503:2005 - Hand Operated Fire-Fighting Equipment, fire extinguishers are considered expired after 5 years. At the 5 year mark, a fire extinguisher must pass a Level 4 service or be replaced.
The 5 main steps to a Level 4 service:
- Pressure Testing: The extinguisher is hydrostatically tested to ensure it can still safely hold pressure. This is important because the quality of fire extinguishers can degrade naturally over time, and an extinguisher cannot discharge properly without pressure.
- Integrity inspection: The technician will check the fire extinguisher cylinder for signs of corrosion, wear, or damage.
- Discharge and refill: The extinguisher needs to be discharged, cleaned, and then refilled with the correct extinguishing agent (liquid, foam, etc.).
- Replacement of components: Any worn-out or damaged seals, valves, and O-rings will be replaced to ensure reliability.
- Re-tagging and Certification: The technician will tag each tested item, document the results in a service report, and issue a new certificate of compliance.
Can you reuse a fire extinguisher?
Yes, some fire extinguishers can be reused! But they will need to pass a safety inspection and be refilled by a licensed technician first.
Fire extinguishers are pressurised so they can propel spray or coolant directly at flames. Once a fire extinguisher has been discharged, the cylinder will start to lose pressure and won't be able to spray effectively. The valves or seals can also be damaged, or become blocked by fire extinguisher residue. That's why testing services are mandatory before used fire extinguishers are reinstalled. Pressure testing and refills should only be undertaken by a licensed technician or fire safety professional.
The 6 Fire Classes Explained
In New Zealand, there are 6 fire classes. Fire classes are categorised by the fuel of the fire. Fire safety equipment like extinguishers are designed to combat specific classes of fire, so understanding the 6 types is essential!
Class A fires involve regular combustible materials like paper, wood and textiles.
Class B fires involve flammable liquids like petrol.
Class C fires are fueled by flammable gases like butane, methane and petroleum gas.
Class D fires: are caused by combustible metals.
Class E fires are electrical fires and usually sparked by faulty electrical devices or overheating equipment.
Class F fires involve cooking oils and fats, so they usually take place in kitchens.
Please remember that no fire extinguisher is designed to suit every type of fire incident. Using the wrong type of extinguisher on a fire can have life-threatening consequences.
How to Identify Different Types of Fire Extinguishers
Did you know you can identify fire extinguishers in New Zealand by their colour? Most fire extinguishers are bright red so that they are easy to see, but they also come with a colour-coded stripe or band.
What are the colour codes for fire extinguishers?
- Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers: have a black band
- Dry chemical powder extinguishers: have a white band
- Foam fire extinguishers: have a blue band
- Water extinguishers: are fully red or have a red band
- Wet chemical extinguisher: a cream or oatmeal coloured band
- Vaporising liquid fire extinguishers: have a bright yellow band or label
Fire Extinguisher Identification Chart
Want to know more about the different kinds of fire extinguishers in New Zealand? Use our fire extinguisher identification chart to familiarise yourself with the most common types of fire extinguishers and see which class of fire they can be used on.
Fire Safety Inspections with The Local Guys
In New Zealand, The Local Guys offer a variety of fire equipment testing services. Along with our professional fire extinguisher testing services, our Test and Tag technicians also provide fire hose reel testing, fire hydrant testing, and fire blanket testing!
Why choose The Local Guys for fire extinguisher testing?
Clients trust that our Test and Tag technicians because The Local Guys are:
- Licensed and fully-trained in fire safety testing
- Protected by $5,000,000 in Public Liability Insurance
- Fully-vetted through a Police Clearance Check
- First Aid Certified
- Proud supporters of World Vision and make a monthly contribution
- Committed to Complimentary Reminder Services: Our technicians will keep track of your fire extinguisher testing and inspections, and send you a reminder when the next service is coming up!
The Local Guys understand that keeping track of compliance testing can be difficult, so our Test and Tag technicians take care of it for you! When your next fire maintenance inspection or annual servicing is due, The Local Guys will get in touch so you can schedule your next appointment with time to spare. Let us take the guesswork out of service intervals and ensure you stay up to date with New Zealand fire safety requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What extinguisher do you use on electrical fires?
C02 fire extinguishers are the most effective on electrical fires. Carbon dioxide is non-conductive, so it is safe to spray onto electrified equipment.
You should never spray a water-based fire extinguisher on an electrical fire, or you might electrocute yourself.
How long does a fire extinguisher spray last?
Fire extinguisher spray can last for anywhere from 8 to 30 seconds. The size and pressure level of the extinguisher are the deciding factors. A small 1kg fire extinguisher for cars might only spray for 8 seconds, where a larger 2.5kg fire extinguisher could last for 15 seconds.
What extinguisher to use on Class C fire?
A Class C fire fueled by flammable gases should only be put out by a dry chemical powder extinguisher. While the extinguisher is useful as immediate fire response, there is still an active fire risk until the gas is under control.
You should always call emergency services to help with any fire involving flammable gas. Remember: If the fire started because a gas cylinder or pipeline is leaking, the gas will continue to spread. The gas supply needs to be cut off immediately to prevent the fire from reigniting. You might not be able to see or smell the gas in the air, which makes the situation more dangerous.
What is the difference between ABC extinguishers and ABE extinguishers?
There's no difference! ABC extinguishers and ABE extinguishers are the same type of dry chemical powder fire extinguisher and deal with the same fire hazards.
These multi-purpose fire extinguishers are a popular because they can put out at least 3 types of fires:
- Fires fueled by regular combustible materials (Class A)
- Fires fueled by flammable liquids (Class B)
- Fires fueled by electrical equipment (Class E / Class C)
Why do they have different names? In New Zealand and Australia, Class E is the name given to fires fueled by electrical equipment. But in America and Canada, they refer to fires fueled by electrical equipment as Class C fires.
So, if you are a New Zealander and see an international fire class guide or fire extinguisher identification chart with an ABC type, it is probably American!
Which extinguisher for kitchen fire?
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed to deal with kitchen fires that are fueled by deep fryer fats and other cooking oils. Please remember that there is a risk that spraying the fire could spread the burning oils.
Many people choose to install fire blankets in kitchens instead of fire extinguishers, since a fire blanket can smother a Class F fire effectively without splashing any burning liquid.
How to check fire extinguisher expiry date in NZ?
Need to figure out how old your fire extinguisher is? You can check the date of manufacture, which is usually stamped on the cylinder! Fire extinguishers are considered expired after 5 years, and they will need to pass a Level 4 service or be replaced.
Do you need to check when your fire extinguisher was last inspected? Check the service tag! After a Test and Tag service with The Local Guys, your fire extinguisher will be tagged with a compliance label. This tag will show the date of the most recent inspection service.
Key Takeaways
Fire extinguisher testing in New Zealand isn’t just about ticking a box for fire safety compliance. It’s about protecting lives, property, and livelihoods. If you want to be sure your fire extinguisher is ready when it counts, then regular servicing and safety checks are essential.
Under NZS 4503:2005 - Hand Operated Fire-Fighting Equipment, fire extinguishers in NZ must be tested every 12 months, and 6-monthly services are required for extinguishers in hazardous environments. Foam and wet chemical extinguishers also require discharge and refilling every 3 years. A Level 4 service with hydrostatic testing is mandatory for all types of fire extinguishers every 5 years.
We’ve covered the 6 fire classes, the different fire extinguisher types, how to identify them by their colour-coded bands, and what each one is used for. With our guide and fire class breakdown, figuring out which extinguisher your property needs should be easy!
Whether you're in Auckland, Christchurch, Tauranga, anywhere else in New Zealand, The Local Guys Test and Tag can keep your fire safety equipment fully compliant and ready to perform! Our friendly, qualified technicians make it simple to stay compliant with routine safety inspections, annual servicing, and hydrostatic testing. And with our complimentary service reminders, you’ll never be caught off guard!
Get in touch with The Local Guys Test and Tag today for professional fire extinguisher testing in NZ!
