F04 Portable Fire Extinguishers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to NFPA 10, how frequently must portable fire extinguishers be inspected?
- Daily
- Monthly (Correct answer)
- Quarterly
- Annually
Correct answer: Monthly
NFPA 10 requires that portable fire extinguishers be inspected at least monthly to ensure they are in their designated place, accessible, and fully charged.
Question 2: How often must stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers undergo a complete 6-year internal examination (maintenance) per NFPA 10?
- Every year
- Every 3 years
- Every 6 years (Correct answer)
- Every 12 years
Correct answer: Every 6 years
NFPA 10 requires a 6-year maintenance (internal inspection and recharge) for stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers that have not been discharged.
Question 3: The hydrostatic test interval for a stored-pressure dry chemical extinguisher with a mild steel shell is:
- 5 years
- 6 years
- 10 years
- 12 years (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 12 years
NFPA 10 specifies that mild steel shell stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers must undergo hydrostatic testing every 12 years to verify structural integrity.
Question 4: When an extinguisher is removed from service for maintenance, the fireguard should ensure:
- The location is left unprotected until the unit is returned
- A comparable temporary replacement extinguisher is provided (Correct answer)
- The fire department is notified immediately
- The area where the extinguisher was located is blocked off
Correct answer: A comparable temporary replacement extinguisher is provided
NFPA 10 requires that when an extinguisher is removed for service, an equally rated replacement unit must be provided during the service period.
Question 5: Which condition found during a monthly inspection requires immediate corrective action?
- The inspection tag is dated 25 days ago
- The pressure gauge needle is in the red zone (Correct answer)
- The extinguisher is mounted at the required height
- The inspection tag has the inspector's initials
Correct answer: The pressure gauge needle is in the red zone
A pressure gauge in the red zone indicates the extinguisher is overcharged or undercharged and is not ready for use — it requires immediate attention.
Question 6: Per NFPA 10, records of portable fire extinguisher annual inspections must be retained for a minimum of:
- 1 year (Correct answer)
- 3 years
- 5 years
- The life of the extinguisher
Correct answer: 1 year
NFPA 10 requires inspection records to be kept for at least 1 year; maintenance and recharge records must be kept for the life of the extinguisher.
Question 7: An extinguisher that has been partially discharged should be:
- Returned to service if the pressure gauge is still in the green zone
- Immediately removed from service for recharging or replacement (Correct answer)
- Topped off with additional agent on-site by the fireguard
- Kept in service until the next scheduled annual inspection
Correct answer: Immediately removed from service for recharging or replacement
Any extinguisher that has been used — even partially — must be immediately removed from service and recharged or replaced before returning to use.
F04 Portable Fire Extinguishers 3
According to NFPA 10, how frequently must portable fire extinguishers be inspected?