Do Used Fire Extinguishers Meet Code?

The idea of used fire extinguishers is foreign to a lot of businesses and homeowners. The assumption is that if it’s used, it’s no longer useful and needs to be discarded.

In fact, fire extinguishers can last for many years. Once they are no longer needed in one location, they can be tuned up and recharged. They’re then ready for service in a new location.

How do used fire extinguishers work?

A used fire extinguisher is often one that hasn’t been used to suppress a fire but simply hung in a building for years. Over time, they will get knocked around and the paint will be scraped, but the internal parts will work just fine.

It’s important to buy used fire extinguishers only from licensed fire suppression experts, like All Florida Fire Equipment.

When All Florida’s technicians receive a used fire extinguisher, they thoroughly inspect it and prepare it for service:

• Inspection and replace of hoses, as needed.
• Inspection of valve, rubber seals, powder and handle
• Hydro-test

No fire extinguisher is released until it has been thoroughly tested and verified.

Where not to buy fire extinguishers

There is a major caution that home and business owners should heed: Do not buy fire extinguishers from Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Only buy from a certified and licensed dealer.

Any fire extinguishers you purchase should be ready to be hydro tested. If it’s not sold by a proper fire suppression firm, it might be defective and won’t work when you need it most.

Re-certified fire extinguishers

You can save a great deal of money by purchasing re-certified fire extinguishers. Re-certification is the process of taking a fire extinguisher and refurbishing it so that it meets all current fire codes and industry standards.

Sometimes, used fire extinguishers have scraped paint or small dings, but the working parts will be 100% in order and, at least with All Florida Fire Equipment, are guaranteed to fire inspections.

Who should buy used/recertified fire extinguishers?

These fire extinguishers are perfect for almost any application. Often companies that are opening a new retail or office space will look for new extinguishers because they look pretty, gleaming and perfect.

For factories, warehouses, homes, storage spaces, etc., used fire extinguishers should easily fit the needs. Just as effective and perfectly legal, these extinguishers can cost 25% to 65% less than a new extinguisher.

There are different types of fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are classified by the type of fire that they are effective on.

Here’s a quick guide to main classes of extinguishers:

Class A – This is for common combustible materials – wood, paper, cloth.

Class B – Flammable liquids – gasoline, grease, oil.

Class C – Electrical fires – fuse boxes and wiring

Class D – Flammable metals – sodium, magnesium, titanium

Class K – Cooking oils and greases – animal and vegetable fats

The most common fire extinguishers are ABC. These are the ones that are found in homes and most businesses.

If you need a Class D fire extinguisher, you’ll know that. You’ll be using flammable metals.

Class K is specifically for kitchen fire suppression systems. These are designed to not spread grease and oil fires.

Deciding what you need

The best way to know what you need in a used fire extinguisher is to talk to the experts. In Florida, call All Florida Fire Equipment. Tell us where you’re looking to put your fire extinguishers and we can help you choose the one you need.

If you need it installed in your business, home, or apartment complex, our technicians will come by and put your extinguishers up in brackets.

Used Fire Extinguishers for Businesses

When purchasing used fire extinguishers for your business or an apartment complex, you need to get them only from a licensed dealer.

Every municipality requires annual inspections of all fire equipment, including extinguishers. While extinguishers only need to be hydro tested every six years, they will require annual inspections. You don’t want to have the local fire marshall show up and find that you have fire extinguishers that can’t be approved. You might find yourself paying a fine and/or going out to find new extinguishers.

In the state of Florida, All Florida Fire Equipment can deliver used fire extinguishers that are guaranteed to pass inspection.

If you have questions about what type of extinguishers you need or anything else, please give our team a call. We’re happy to answer questions, even for those who aren’t in Florida.