Fire extinguisher standards and inspection standards have been revised

　The standards for fire extinguishers have been changed in response to the recent incidents of old fire extinguishers exploding.
Fire extinguisher explosion accidents mainly occur when operating or disposing of fire extinguishers that have become corroded over time due to insufficient maintenance. We have decided to enhance the display of information on disposal, etc., and review the inspection content to take safety measures.

● Relaxation of internal and functional inspections of pressure-accumulating fire extinguishers (see Table 1)
(Relaxation of inspection from every 3 years to every 5 years from the year of manufacture)
● Addition of pressure resistance performance inspection (water pressure inspection) to fire extinguishers, etc. that are 10 years old (see Table 1)
*Inspection of the pressure resistance of fire extinguishers that were installed in a fire prevention property before the enforcement date and that has already been manufactured for 10 years can be carried out by sampling method for 3 years after installation if there is no corrosion in the external inspection. . In order to complete the verification of all the products within three years, we will select them evenly from the oldest production year to the next. (See Table 2)

　The following fire extinguishers can be installed for 11 years from the date of revision (December 31, 2021).
(a) Fire extinguishers that have already been installed in fire prevention properties based on the standards before the revision (before December 31, 2010); (b) Fire extinguishers that have been installed and have been C. Fire extinguishers installed within one year from the date of revision (until December 31, 2011)

Accumulator type　

　Inside the main container, extinguishing agent and nitrogen gas (or compressed air), which serves as a radiation pressure source, are stored. Extinguishing agent is released from the nozzle by operating the lever.
It is said to be safe because the main container is always under pressure, so no pressure is applied when operating it.

pressurized　

　By squeezing the lever of the fire extinguisher, the gas in the pressurized gas container spreads throughout the fire extinguisher via the gas introduction pipe, and the extinguishing agent is released from the nozzle through the siphon pipe and the hose.
Normally there is no pressure in the main container, but when it is operated, a sudden high pressure is applied, so if the container is rusted, corroded, or scratched, or if it becomes clogged with extinguishing agent, there is a risk of it bursting. there is.

※ please note
Fire extinguishers for general household use are not obligated to comply with the above new standards or undergo pressure resistance inspections.
There are companies that sell and inspect expensive fire extinguishers door-to-door with skillful storytelling.
They pretend to be fire department personnel and demand that fire extinguishers be installed, saying, ``I'm from the fire department.'' They then sell unreasonably expensive or inferior products.
"The fire extinguisher in your home does not meet current standards."
"This fire extinguisher has not been regularly inspected, so it will have to be replaced with a new one."
*Please be careful with such words!
If you think something is suspicious, please do not stamp or sign. If you have signed a contract or made a purchase, be sure to save the contract, delivery note, and receipt.
If you have any questions or concerns about pushy sales or purchases, please contact the fire department or consumer affairs center.

● Our city does not collect fire extinguishers as general garbage.
● For disposal of fire extinguishers, please contact your local counter as the Japan Fire Extinguisher Manufacturers Association works with local distributors (specific counters) to recycle them.
● You can search for a store near you from the website of Fire Extinguisher Recycling Promotion Center Co., Ltd.

Inagi Fire Department Prevention Division Inspection and Guidance Section
Phone: 042-377-7119 (extension 28/29)