At One Place

How long does a fire extinguisher last?

Typical lifespan
5–12 yr

A pressurised cylinder that discharges dry chemical, CO2, foam or water onto a fire.

Rechargeable units must be hydrostatically tested every 5 or 12 years depending on type; disposable ones are replaced at 12.

How that compares

Fire extinguisher against things of a similar time.

Fire extinguisher 5–12 yr
Car 8–20 yr
Air conditioner 8–20 yr
Leopard 10–21 yr
Jaguar 11–22 yr
Snow leopard 10–21 yr
Labrador retriever 10–14 yr
Propane tank 10–12 yr

What that means over time

Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.
Period How many you would buy
Per year 0.0833 replacements
Over 10 years 1 of them
Over a 30-year mortgage 2.5 of them

Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.

More about a fire extinguisher

Common questions

How long does a fire extinguisher last?
A fire extinguisher lasts 5–12 yr. Rechargeable units must be hydrostatically tested every 5 or 12 years depending on type; disposable ones are replaced at 12.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked