What Is the Lifespan of Fire Safety Equipment?

Understanding the lifespan of fire safety components is key to ensuring all equipment works as it should. The worst time to realize something is wrong is when a fire has already started. Commercial facility owners, safety officers and property managers need to know the lifespan and inspection schedule for the equipment in their buildings. This is a vital element in a building’s fire safety plan — being prepared for a disaster means keeping equipment in top condition.

In this guide, you can learn how frequently you should replace your facility’s fire safety equipment.

Lifespan of Key Fire Safety Equipment

Learn the recommended fire safety equipment maintenance and inspection schedules, as well as their expected lifespans:

Fire Extinguishers

In most cases, the lifespan of fire extinguishers is between 10 and 12 years. This period applies to disposable fire extinguishers, which are the most common kind in buildings and commercial facilities.

These are single-use, meaning they are only meant to be deployed once, and come in different types, including carbon dioxide, water, wet chemical and dry powder. After using a disposable fire extinguisher, prompt replacement is essential. Because they have such a long lifespan, it is easy to keep a few extra on hand to provide backup should one be used or damaged.

Meanwhile, rechargeable fire extinguishers, which you can use multiple times, have a lifespan of around 6 years. For some facilities, these could be an economical option due to their capacity for multiple deployments. However, their shorter lifespan and recharging requirements may not work for all facilities.

Regularly inspecting fire extinguishers is essential to ensure they work properly in an emergency. Hydrostatic testing is a process of testing for pressure loss or defects in fire extinguishers by filling the vessel with water or oil up to 150% of the normal pressure load. This helps identify any weaknesses in the shell’s integrity. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends hydrostatic testing every five or 12 years, depending on the type of extinguisher.

Risks of using an expired fire extinguisher include failure and explosion, which can pose significant danger to operators and those nearby.

Fire Sprinkler System Parts

When the NFPA conducted a survey of reasons for sprinkler system failure, they found that an overwhelming 79% of failures were a result of system shut-offs, lack of maintenance or damage. Understanding fire sprinkler system lifespan is essential to protect the lives of those in your building and prevent damaging fires.

Because there are many components to a fire sprinkler system, it is more useful to consider the inspection and maintenance schedule for individual parts rather than the lifespan of the entire system. For example, if your system is only two years old, but hard water has led to build up in the pipes, you could require maintenance sooner than the same system in an area with softer water.

The NFPA recommends the following inspection schedule for these sprinkler system parts:

• Control valves: Weekly
• Backflow preventers: Weekly
• Guages: Monthly
• Pipes: Monthly
• Alarm valves: Quarterly
• Fire department connections: Quarterly
• Valves: Quarterly
• Sprinkler heads: Annually
• Hangers and braces: Annually

O-Rings and Seals

The lifespan of O-rings and seals depends on the material they are made of. In perfect conditions, these products might have a virtually unlimited lifespan, but operational and environmental conditions like humidity, contact with chemicals, and extreme temperatures can cause degradation over time.

O-rings and seals are vital parts of fire safety equipment and should undergo regular inspections and maintenance. A general rule to follow is to inspect O-rings during monthly fire extinguisher inspections and pay close attention to seals during regular equipment maintenance. Plan to replace O-rings and seals yearly to keep your equipment in working order.

Fusible Links

A fusible link is a fire safety device specifically designed to melt at a specific temperature. It consists of metal components that are soldered together, but when exposed to higher temperatures, they release a link that triggers a fire safety device. Fusible links are used in sprinkler systems, fire doors, fire dampers and cooking equipment. They are fairly sensitive and can be made to trigger at different temperatures.

The NFPA recommends a different replacement for fusible links in different applications. For example, in commercial cooking operations, fusible links need to be replaced every six months. For other applications, manufacturers might recommend a service life of one year.

If the fusible link activates for any reason, or you notice any of the following signs of degradation or damage, it is important to find a fusible link replacement as soon as possible:

• Discoloration
• Melting
• Disconnected wires
• Damper not closing completely
• Sprinkler head not activating
• Electrical issues

Importance of Regular Inspection and Replacement

Weekly and monthly equipment inspections add to your list of responsibilities, but they are crucial for the following reasons:

• Ensuring functionality in an emergency: Fires can have devastating consequences for workplaces, and spending a few hours checking equipment is well worth it when the alternative is risking nonworking equipment during an emergency.
• Compliance with safety regulations: Many local, state and federal regulatory bodies require facilities to regularly inspect and maintain their fire safety equipment. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines and, in some cases, criminal proceedings.
• Avoiding potential liabilities: Having the proper fire equipment in good working order prevents issues with liability. For example, insurance companies may not cover damage or loss claims if investigations reveal that fire safety equipment was not properly maintained.

Keep Your Fire Safety Equipment Updated With National Fire Supply

Maintaining and replacing fire safety equipment within their recommended lifespans is critical to worker safety and proper building operations. National Fire Supply is a trusted source for fire safety supplies. We have years of experience in the industry, and we hold certification from the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED).

To ensure your building is equipped with reliable fire safety measures, explore the range of high-quality extinguishers, sprinkler components and other essential equipment at National Fire Supply. If you have any questions, reach out to our team for personalized service.