Fire extinguisher servicing in the UK follows a specific schedule set out in BS 5306-3:2017 — monthly visual checks, an annual basic service by a competent person, and, for conventional designs, a five-year extended service or ten-year CO2 overhaul. The schedule is simple in outline; the practical questions about who can do what, what is genuinely required by law, and how the maintenance pattern interacts with extinguisher lifespan are where most UK premises run into uncertainty.

This page sets out the maintenance regime in full, answers the most common question (is annual servicing legally required?), explains the BAFE SP101 scheme and how to evaluate a contractor, covers the lifespan and end-of-life replacement decision, and addresses the modern alternative — P50 service-free extinguishers — that some premises now use.

What "maintenance" covers under BS 5306-3:2017

BS 5306-3:2017 describes commissioning, inspection and maintenance procedures. Routine checks, basic service, extended service and overhaul apply according to the equipment type and condition; they are not four identical stages for every extinguisher.

Monthly visual check (sometimes called a routine inspection) — performed on-site by the responsible person. A quick visual confirmation that the extinguisher is in place, undamaged, with the pressure gauge in the green, the seal intact, and the signage visible. Takes seconds per unit and does not require specialist training.

Annual basic service — performed by a competent person. A more thorough inspection that includes checking the pressure, examining the body and fittings for damage or corrosion, weighing CO2 units, and confirming the unit is in working condition. The unit is not normally discharged at this service.

Extended service — normally every five years for conventional water-based and powder extinguishers. It includes controlled discharge and examination, with servicing and recharging as required. Primary-sealed powder designs have a different interval.

Overhaul — normally every ten years for CO2 and other specified high-pressure types, including cylinder examination and pressure testing. It is distinct from an extended service; follow the applicable standard and manufacturer’s instructions.

A suitable maintenance programme provides evidence of condition and identifies defects. It does not guarantee a twenty-year life or remove the need to replace unsafe, obsolete or unsuitable equipment.

This is the question most UK premises ask first, and the question most casual guides answer poorly. The right answer needs a small distinction.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not name BS 5306-3:2017 specifically. What the Fire Safety Order requires (under article 13) is that the responsible person ensures any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment is provided where the fire risk assessment identifies the need, and that the equipment is "easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs." Article 17 then requires that fire-fighting equipment, fire detectors and fire alarms are subject to a "suitable system of maintenance" and are "maintained in efficient working order and in good repair."

BS 5306-3 is a recognised maintenance code of practice. Following an appropriate maintenance programme helps demonstrate compliance, but paperwork or a standard schedule alone does not prove that all legal duties have been met.

Conventional units normally receive an annual basic service. Alternative designs may have manufacturer-supported procedures; the responsible person must establish that the chosen system keeps equipment suitable and in working order.

The legal duty is suitable maintenance. Use the relevant standard, manufacturer’s instructions, equipment condition and competent advice to establish the schedule, and keep records of checks and remedial work.

Monthly visual checks — who can do them

Monthly visual checks are the responsibility of the on-site responsible person — typically the building manager, facilities lead, or designated fire warden. No specialist training or qualification is required, and the check itself is fast.

What to look for at each unit:

  • In place — the extinguisher is where it should be, on its bracket or stand, not moved or missing.
  • Visible and accessible — no obstructions in front of it, signage is visible, access is clear.
  • Pressure gauge in the green — for stored-pressure units, the needle should sit in the green band. CO2 units don't have a gauge; they are weighed at annual service.
  • Seal and tamper indicator intact — the safety pin tag should be unbroken. A broken tag may indicate prior use, attempted tampering, or accidental discharge.
  • Body undamaged — no dents, severe corrosion, or visible damage to the cylinder, hose or nozzle.
  • Label legible — the operating instructions and class markings should be readable.

Findings get recorded in the fire logbook (covered below). Anything beyond a simple "in place and unchanged" — particularly a low pressure reading, a missing or damaged unit, a broken seal — should trigger a call to the servicing contractor for follow-up.

Routine checks can identify missing equipment, damaged seals, obstructions and visible defects between service visits. Report defects promptly rather than waiting for the annual service.

Annual basic service — what a competent person does

The annual service is more thorough. It is performed by a "competent person" — a term BS 5306-3 defines as someone with the necessary training, experience and access to manufacturer information to carry out the work properly. In practice, this is normally a technician from a fire safety contractor, with BAFE SP101 registration offering one way to check independent certification (covered below).

The basic service includes:

  • All the visual checks of the monthly inspection, in more detail.
  • Removing the unit from its bracket; weighing it (for CO2) or checking pressure (for stored-pressure units).
  • Inspecting the operating mechanism — lever, pin, hose and nozzle for wear, blockage or damage.
  • Checking the safety seal, replacing if necessary.
  • Inspecting the body for corrosion, dents, damage to threads.
  • For water-based units, briefly checking the discharge mechanism without firing.
  • Replacing the safety pin tag with a new one.
  • Affixing a service label to the body, dated and signed.
  • Updating the maintenance record / logbook.

The time needed varies with the unit, its condition and the required work. Do not treat a generic number of minutes as evidence that a service was adequate.

What the annual service does not include is full discharge or internal inspection. Those are part of the extended service, which is on a different cycle.

5-year extended service — water, foam, powder, wet chemical

Water, foam, dry powder and wet chemical extinguishers undergo an extended service every five years. The procedure:

  • Full discharge of the unit under controlled conditions.
  • Strip down — removing the head assembly, draining or removing the agent, cleaning the cylinder.
  • Internal inspection — the inside of the cylinder is examined for corrosion, pitting, or any damage that would compromise pressure rating.
  • Component replacement — valves, O-rings, gauges, hoses and any other wear parts are replaced as needed against manufacturer specification.
  • Recharge with new agent (water, foam, powder or wet chemical as appropriate) and re-pressurisation with nitrogen.
  • Full pressure test against manufacturer specification.
  • Re-labelling with the extended service date and details.

The extended service can be done in-place by some contractors with specialist equipment, or the unit can be taken off-site to a workshop. A loan unit of equivalent type and capacity should be left in place during the absence to maintain cover.

Cost is significant — typically a meaningful fraction of the cost of replacement. For older units (15+ years old), most servicing contractors will recommend replacement rather than extended service, because the cost difference is small and a new unit comes with a fresh service cycle.

10-year overhaul — CO2 specifically

CO2 extinguishers are on a longer cycle because the cylinder pressure rating is higher and the agent doesn't degrade in the same way as water-based agents. Under BS 5306-3:2017, CO2 units normally undergo overhaul every 10 years, which includes:

  • Hydraulic pressure testing of the cylinder against the manufacturer's stamped test pressure.
  • Full strip-down, internal inspection, and component replacement.
  • Recharge with fresh CO2 to the specified weight.
  • Re-marking with the test date and the next-test date.

The mismatch with the 5-year cycle for the rest of the cluster is the easiest schedule mistake to make. A servicing contract that treats every unit on the same cycle is over-servicing CO2 at year 5 and under-budgeting it at year 10. The schedule has to match the unit type — confirm with your contractor what is being done at each visit.

For most premises, the 10-year mark on a CO2 extinguisher is also the practical replacement decision point. The cost of overhaul (with hydraulic testing) often exceeds the cost of a new unit, so older CO2 units typically get replaced at year 10 rather than overhauled. The detail on CO2 is on our CO2 fire extinguisher page.

Lifespan and end-of-life replacement

There is no single statutory replacement age for all portable extinguishers. Continued service depends on the design, condition, maintenance history, available parts and manufacturer’s requirements. Common reasons for replacement include:

Failure at extended service

Internal corrosion, body damage, or test failure during the 5-year (or 10-year for CO2) extended service. The cylinder is no longer fit for re-pressurisation, and replacement is the only option.

Component obsolescence

Older units may use valves, gauges or hoses that are no longer manufactured. The annual service can spot the issue, but replacement parts may not be available. Once a critical component cannot be replaced, the unit reaches end of life.

Cost-effectiveness threshold

Compare the cost and suitability of further maintenance with replacement. Age can inform that decision, but there is no universal age at which servicing becomes uneconomic.

An old unit or one without maintenance records needs competent assessment. Do not assume it is serviceable merely because it looks intact, or assume that age alone proves it has failed.

For disposal of an extinguisher at end of life, see our fire extinguisher disposal page.

BAFE SP101 — the scheme that matters

Competence requires relevant knowledge, training, experience and access to technical information. BAFE SP101 registration provides an independently assessed route for organisations maintaining portable extinguishers; it is not the only possible evidence of competence.

BAFE operates third-party certification schemes and a register for fire safety service providers; certification is delivered by licensed certification bodies. The SP101 scheme certifies organisations to maintain portable fire extinguishers in accordance with BS 5306. To be registered, an organisation must:

  • Employ technicians who have completed BAFE-recognised training.
  • Operate a quality management system audited by a UKAS-accredited certification body.
  • Demonstrate technical competence on each extinguisher type they service.
  • Maintain insurance and traceability for all work.

For a premises responsible for fire extinguisher maintenance, choosing a BAFE SP101-registered contractor provides:

  • Strong evidence of competence under article 17 of the Fire Safety Order.
  • Insurance requirements — check the particular insurer’s conditions rather than assuming a universal requirement.
  • Audit trail — work performed by a BAFE-registered firm is documented to the standard expected by enforcement.
  • Recourse if work is substandard — BAFE operates a complaints process.

Whether or not a provider is BAFE registered, check competence, scope of certification, the equipment covered and the records supplied. Appointing a contractor does not remove the responsible person’s duty to ensure suitable maintenance.

P50 service-free fire extinguishers — a modern alternative

P50 is a manufacturer’s range of composite-bodied extinguishers with its own maintenance arrangements. Britannia states that annual inspection can be carried out on site by a suitably instructed competent person, with refurbishment at the specified ten-year point. “Service-free” does not mean no checks or records.

The trade-offs:

  • Higher initial cost — P50 units are typically two to three times the price of a conventional steel-bodied equivalent.
  • Lower lifetime maintenance cost — annual servicing is simplified, and the 10-year extended service cycle (rather than 5-year) reduces servicing visits.
  • Compliance evidence is different — the responsible person needs to demonstrate they have followed the manufacturer's maintenance protocol rather than BS 5306-3:2017 (which P50 units sit outside of).

Assess any alternative maintenance approach against the actual product instructions, fire risks and insurance conditions. Keep inspection records and ensure whoever carries out the checks has the necessary instruction and competence.

If P50 units are being considered, the manufacturer's instructions and the fire risk assessment should both reflect the alternative maintenance approach. Mixing P50 and conventional units in the same premises is workable but creates two parallel maintenance regimes — worth a deliberate decision rather than ending up with that arrangement by accident.

Recordkeeping and the fire logbook

Every UK premises covered by the Fire Safety Order should maintain a fire logbook (sometimes called a fire safety logbook or fire register). The logbook is the primary record that demonstrates ongoing compliance and is the document a fire and rescue authority enforcement officer asks to see first.

For fire extinguisher maintenance, the logbook should record:

  • A list of all extinguishers on the premises, with their location, type, capacity, manufacture date, and service history.
  • Monthly visual check records — date, person who performed the check, findings.
  • Annual service records — date, contractor, technician, any work performed, the next service due date.
  • Extended service records — date, work performed, next due date.
  • Any incidents — discharge for use, accidental discharge, damage, or removal from service.
  • Replacement records — when units have been replaced, and where the old units went.

The logbook can be a physical book, a structured spreadsheet, or a dedicated fire safety management system. What matters is that it provides a continuous, contemporaneous record. Servicing contractors normally provide a service report for each visit; that report should be filed in or linked from the logbook.

Keep maintenance and replacement records sufficient to demonstrate the equipment’s history and current condition. The Fire Safety Order does not set a universal twenty-year retention period for extinguisher logs; other contractual or investigation needs may affect retention.

Frequently asked questions

Is annual fire extinguisher servicing a legal requirement?

The Fire Safety Order requires a suitable maintenance system rather than specifying an annual interval in its text. Annual basic servicing is the recognised conventional approach; apply the relevant standard and manufacturer instructions to the particular equipment.

Who can service a fire extinguisher?

A person with the relevant training, knowledge, experience and technical information. BAFE SP101 registration is one independently assessed route for service providers; verify the scope and competence for the equipment involved.

How long do fire extinguishers last?

There is no universal lifespan. Condition, maintenance findings, manufacturer instructions and parts availability determine whether a unit can remain in service. Replace equipment that cannot be shown to be safe and suitable.

What's the difference between a basic service and an extended service?

A conventional basic service is normally annual. Extended service normally includes controlled discharge and internal examination at five years for water-based and most powder units. CO2 follows a separate ten-year overhaul schedule.

Why do CO2 extinguishers need a 10-year overhaul rather than 5?

The cylinder pressure rating and internal conditions are different from water-based extinguishers, and the BS 5306-3:2017 maintenance schedule reflects that. The 10-year cycle includes hydraulic pressure testing of the cylinder, which applies to the relevant high-pressure extinguisher types.

What records do I need to keep?

Keep an inventory, inspection and servicing results, defects, remedial work and replacement records. Retention should support the equipment history and any relevant obligations; there is no universal statutory twenty-year rule for these logs.

What's a P50 fire extinguisher?

A manufacturer’s range of composite-bodied extinguishers with specific on-site inspection and ten-year refurbishment arrangements. Follow the exact model instructions and record competent checks; it is not maintenance-free.

Where this connects

For where extinguisher maintenance fits in the wider compliance picture, see who is responsible for fire extinguishers in UK workplaces. For end-of-life and replacement, see our fire extinguisher disposal page. For the CO2-specific schedule and the underlying product context, see our CO2 fire extinguisher page. For the wider type and colour system, the fire extinguisher types hub is the place to start.

If you are responsible for fire safety in a UK workplace and need to train your team on the basics, the online fire safety awareness training course covers what every employee needs to know in 90 minutes — RoSPA-approved and CPD-accredited.

Sources & references

Official guidance and standards checked on 15 October 2026.

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Mark McShane
Mark McShane
Health & Safety Training Specialist, Online CPD Academy

Mark writes about workplace fire safety, fire awareness and accredited online training for Fire Safety Awareness Training, part of Online CPD Academy.