Fire Extinguisher Maintenance: Everything You Need To Know
17/11/2025
Fire extinguishers save lives – but only if they are properly maintained.
Whether you manage an HMO property, run a business, or own a commercial building, fire extinguisher maintenance is a legal requirement under UK fire safety regulations. Regular maintenance ensures your extinguishers work effectively during an emergency and remain fully compliant with the law.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about maintaining fire extinguishers, including annual servicing, 6-year and extended maintenance, types of extinguishers, maintenance manuals, checklists, and why partnering with HMO Fire Risk Assessments is the safest and most cost-effective choice.
Fire extinguisher maintenance refers to the routine inspection, servicing, testing, and refilling of extinguishers to ensure they are fully functional, compliant, and safe to use.
Maintenance is carried out in line with BS 5306-3:2017, which sets out UK best practice for inspecting and servicing fire extinguishers.
Maintenance typically includes:
Without proper maintenance, extinguishers may fail to discharge, discharge incorrectly, or even become dangerous.
Fire extinguisher maintenance isn’t just an administrative task – it is a legal duty and a critical aspect of protecting people, property, and business continuity. Below is a deeper explanation of why ongoing maintenance is so important for any commercial building, HMO, or workplace.
In the UK, fire extinguisher maintenance is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO). The Order places responsibility on the “responsible person” – typically the business owner, employer, or landlord – to ensure that all fire safety equipment is kept in efficient working order and good repair.
Failing to comply can lead to significant consequences, including:
Fire authorities have the power to issue unlimited fines for breaches of fire safety regulations. Many businesses have faced penalties ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of pounds due to improperly maintained extinguishers.
If an inspection reveals that extinguishers are not being serviced or maintained, a Fire and Rescue Service can issue an Enforcement Notice requiring urgent corrective action. Failure to comply with the notice can escalate to prosecution.
Invalidated insurance
If a fire occurs and extinguishers were not properly maintained, insurers can refuse to pay out – even if the fire was unrelated to the equipment itself. Insurers rely on evidence of compliance to validate cover.
Serious breaches that place occupants at risk can result in criminal charges. Business owners, directors, and landlords have been prosecuted for failing to maintain fire safety equipment, sometimes resulting in suspended prison sentences.
Regular maintenance helps ensure you fulfil your legal duties and protects your organisation from serious financial and legal repercussions.
Fire extinguishers are only effective if they work properly at the exact moment they are needed. A poorly maintained extinguisher can:
When an emergency occurs, there is no time for trial and error. A non-functional extinguisher puts occupants at greater risk and can turn a small, manageable fire into a catastrophic event.
Regular maintenance ensures:
When your extinguishers are properly serviced, you can be confident they will perform as intended when it matters most.
Most commercial building and landlord insurance policies require evidence of annual fire extinguisher servicing. Insurers expect properties to meet minimum legal standards, including:
Without this documentation, a claim may be rejected, leaving you responsible for rebuilding costs, business disruption, repairs, or liability claims.
Regular maintenance is therefore essential for:
It may seem counterintuitive, but routine extinguisher servicing actually saves money over time. Without regular checks, extinguishers are more likely to develop:
These issues can reduce the lifespan of the extinguisher, leading to premature replacements. Extended servicing (such as 5-year or 6-year testing) prolongs the lifespan of the unit and ensures maximum value.
Preventative maintenance helps you avoid:
Early replacement costs
Emergency call-outs
Compliance penalties
Equipment failures that could worsen fire damage
Overall, it’s a cost-effective way to protect your premises and budget.
Knowing your extinguishers are in full working order gives reassurance to:
Everything works smoother when you are confident your fire safety equipment is up to standard. Regular maintenance means you know:
Peace of mind isn’t just a benefit – it’s an essential part of responsible fire safety management.
There are three primary maintenance levels:
Responsible persons should carry out:
This is the most common maintenance type and covers all extinguishers. A trained engineer will:
This is sometimes referred to as:
Depending on the extinguisher type:
This involves a complete discharge, internal inspection, and refilling.
Older extinguishers often require a full overhaul or replacement every 10 years.
Require:
Search variations include:
“carbon dioxide fire extinguisher maintenance”, “CO₂ extinguisher maintenance”
Require annual checks and a 5-year discharge test.
Used industrially, requiring:
Many users search for brand-specific support:
HMO Fire Risk Assessments services all major brands and provides full documentation.
A professional technician will complete a full inspection that typically includes:
If you’re unsure whether your extinguishers meet standards, HMO Fire Risk Assessments can perform a full audit and bring your equipment into compliance.
A standard annual service for a small site takes 30–60 minutes. Larger premises require more time.
Yes. Most extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years unless they pass extended service tests.
No. While monthly checks can be conducted by the responsible person, annual servicing must be done by a trained, competent engineer.
It must be replaced immediately to remain compliant.
Fire safety responsibilities are significantly stricter for HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) properties due to the increased risks associated with shared living environments. With multiple unrelated occupants, higher fire loads, and communal escape routes, fire extinguishers play a vital role in early fire suppression and safe evacuation.
To comply with UK legislation and local authority licensing conditions, HMO landlords and managers must follow clear extinguisher maintenance requirements.
Most councils require HMOs to have:
These extinguishers must be placed in communal hallways, landings, and escape routes, ensuring occupants can access them safely without entering higher-risk areas.
Like any commercial building, HMOs are legally required to have their extinguishers professionally serviced every 12 months by a competent technician in line with BS 5306-3:2017.
Annual servicing confirms:
Local authorities routinely request proof of annual maintenance as part of HMO licensing inspections, and failure to provide this can jeopardise your licence.
To demonstrate compliance, landlords must keep up-to-date records, including:
These documents may be requested during:
Having clear records protects you legally and proves you have met your obligations as a responsible person.
Your HMO Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) must include a full review of:
An FRA is not just a tick-box exercise – it’s a legal requirement under the Fire Safety Order. Extinguisher maintenance is a core part of assessing whether a building is safe for tenants.
HMO Fire Risk Assessments can carry out both the extinguisher servicing and the full FRA, ensuring everything aligns with regulatory expectations.
HMOs are closely monitored by local authorities, and fire safety breaches are taken extremely seriously. Failure to maintain extinguishers properly can result in:
With HMOs classed as higher-risk properties, councils act swiftly when fire safety duties are not met, and extinguishers are among the easiest items for inspectors to check.
HMO Fire Risk Assessments specialises in helping landlords and property managers stay compliant with all extinguisher maintenance requirements, including:
Whether you manage a single HMO or a full property portfolio, we ensure your extinguishers meet regulatory standards and protect your tenants at all times.
Many property owners search for brand-specific manuals, such as:
However, manuals alone do not ensure compliance – only a qualified technician can service an extinguisher in accordance with BS 5306.
HMO Fire Risk Assessments is one of the UK’s trusted specialists for fire safety compliance.
We provide:
✔ Fully Qualified Fire Extinguisher Technicians
Trained to BS 5306 standards.
✔ Expert Annual & Extended Servicing
Including 5-year, 6-year, and 10-year maintenance.
✔ Support for All Fire Extinguisher Types & Brands
From ABC powder to CO₂ and cartridge-operated units.
✔ Full Documentation & Certification
Proof of compliance for councils, insurers, and audits.
✔ Fire Risk Assessments & Surveys for All Building Types
Including HMOs, commercial premises, industrial units, schools, and more.
✔ Competitive Pricing & Fast Call-Outs
Whether you need a one-off service or ongoing annual maintenance, HMO Fire Risk Assessments provide complete end-to-end support.
Fire safety isn’t something to put off – extinguishers need regular maintenance to protect lives, property, and legal compliance.
If you’re ready to ensure your building meets UK fire safety standards, HMO Fire Risk Assessments is your trusted partner.
✔ Book your Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
✔ Schedule a Fire Risk Assessment
✔ Speak to a Fire Safety Specialist
Contact HMO Fire Risk Assessments today and keep your building safe, compliant, and protected.
The Complete Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Guide for Landlords, HMO Owners, and Businesses Fire extinguishers save lives - but only if they are properly maintained. Whether...
Understanding Fire Safety at Home Fire safety isn’t just a concern for landlords and business owners. Every home, whether rented or privately owned, needs the...