We had a question recently and I wanted others to weigh in on this. The question is in regard to inspection, maintenance and recharging of portable extinguishers. NFPA 10 gives definitions and requirements for inspection, maintenance and recharging portable extinguishers. Does any locality allow the maintenace staff, or a maintenance employee to become factory trained and perform the maintenance of portable extinguishers as prescibed in NFPA 10 Chapter 4?
I offer my brief and narrowly focused opinion with the following:
NFPA 10, ’98 Edition, as referenced by the current SFPC, defines “inspection”, “maintenance”, “recharging” and “servicing”. I leave you to read the definitions on your own.
Setting aside “inspection”, NFPA 10, Section 4-1.4 says these activities “shall be performed by trained persons having available the appropriate servicing manual(s), the proper types of tools, recharge materials, lubricants, and manufacturer’s recommended replacement parts or parts specifically listed for use in the fire extinguisher.” There’s nothing to say a third party or outside company has to perform the service.
In the absence of piping, wiring and/or local amendments on the issue, there is no state law or regulation that requires a license or certification of a company or individual to perform such work. Therefore, the AHJ is empowered to approve the performance of such work by the extinguisher owner, maintenance staff or any other person deemed minimally knowledgeable and competent by the AHJ so long as the criteria established in Section 4-1.4 is or has been satisfied. By the same token, the AHJ would be hard pressed to disapprove the scheme if the person or staff can satisfy the criteria.
Some comfort might be found in whether or not a particular manufacturer will supply parts and training to individuals or entities that have not complete some form of training provided by the supplier in order to lower some of the liability or exposure questions/issues. But that is an issue that rests mainly between them and the manufacturer. This can also easily differ from one manufacturer to another.
As an aside, and to repeat from above, in the absence of piping and/or wiring, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) does not require a “contractors” license for this service. Because a contractor’s license is not required, there’s no vehicle to require a DPOR specially endorsement such as found for sprinkler and alarm installers (contractors). For any portable fire extinguisher servicing company found listed in the phone book, possibly the only required government document needed to be held is an ordinary, run-of-the-mill business license.
I agree with Glen's statement. We do have a large special hazard occupancy that is equiped to handle the inspection, etc. of their fire extinguishers and have trained personnel onsite. However that is the ecxeption. Every one else hires a fire extinguisher company. Frank Teevan
