Fire extinguisher inspection requirements in California
4 code-mandated inspections, each with the section that requires it. Generated from the same catalog that runs Muniment, so this page cannot drift from what the product actually enforces.
Monthly extinguisher check
MonthlyA quick monthly look: is the extinguisher where it should be, charged, and unblocked?
- Code reference
- 19 CCR §574.1 (adopting NFPA 10)
Read the operative sentence
“Thereafter extinguishers shall be manually inspected at least monthly by the building owner, occupant, or his/her authorized agent or electronically monitored.”
19 CCR §574.1, as published by Cornell LII · read Aug 22, 2026
Annual extinguisher service
AnnuallyA licensed technician services each extinguisher once a year and replaces the dated tag.
- Code reference
- 19 CCR §575.1 (adopting NFPA 10)
- Who may perform it
- CA State Fire Marshal licensed servicer
Read the operative sentence
“Fire extinguishers shall be subjected to maintenance annually as described in this chapter or immediately after use or when specifically indicated by an inspection.”
19 CCR §575.1, as published by Cornell LII · read Aug 22, 2026
6-year internal maintenance
Every 6 yearsEvery six years the extinguisher is opened up, emptied and rebuilt with fresh agent.
- Code reference
- 19 CCR §575.4(a)(1) (adopting NFPA 10)
- Who may perform it
- CA State Fire Marshal licensed servicer
Read the operative sentence
“Every 6 years stored pressure dry chemical and dry powder fire extinguishers that require a 12 year hydrostatic test shall be discharged, emptied and subjected to the applicable maintenance procedures as specified by the manufacture's requirements. NOTE: this interval is scoped to stored-pressure dry chemical and dry powder units — it is not universal to every extinguisher type.”
19 CCR §575.4(a)(1), as published by Cornell LII · read Aug 22, 2026
12-year hydrostatic test
Every 12 yearsThe tank itself gets pressure-tested every 12 years to make sure it can still safely hold its charge.
- Code reference
- 19 CCR §575.1 / §575.4(a)(1) (adopting NFPA 10)
- Who may perform it
- CA State Fire Marshal licensed servicer
Read the operative sentence
“Non-rechargeable fire extinguishers shall not be recharged or hydrostatically tested but shall be discharged and removed from service at a maximum interval of 12 years from the date of manufacture. §575.4(a)(1) refers to “stored pressure dry chemical and dry powder fire extinguishers that require a 12 year hydrostatic test”. NOTE: 12 years is the interval for those types; other agents carry shorter intervals under the adopted NFPA 10 table.”
19 CCR §575.1 and §575.4(a)(1), as published by Cornell LII · read Aug 22, 2026
Muniment tracks every one of these for you.
Add a fire extinguisher to a building and its schedule appears — dated, cited, and chased before it lapses. The record is yours, exportable, and it outlives whichever contractor does the work.
Start free for 14 daysMuniment tracks inspection schedules against published code references. It is not legal advice, and the authority having jurisdiction has final say. Last generated from the catalog at https://usemuniment.com.