--- title: How Can I Tell If a Fire Extinguisher Needs to be Recharged? description: Keeping a fire extinguisher properly charged or pressurized is an extremely important step in owning and maintaining a fire extinguisher. If regular fire extinguisher service and maintenance is not performed, that extinguisher may not work when you need it most. image: https://blog.koorsen.com/hubfs/Blogs/Products%20and%20Services/Fire%20Extinguisher/Fire%20Extinguisher%20Images/KoorsenTechs-8656.jpg --- [![Koorsen Fire & Security](https://blog.koorsen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png?width=209&height=50&name=koorsen-logo.png "Koorsen Fire & Security")](https://www.koorsen.com/) [CONTACT US](https://www.koorsen.com/contact-us/) [BILL PAY](https://www.koorsen.com/koorsen-payments/) [1.866.311.7753](tel:8663117753) - [About Us](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/) - [History](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/history/) - [Case Studies](https://blog.koorsen.com/case-studies) - [Koorsen Companies](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/companies/) - [Koorsen Training Center](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/training-center/) - [Kasey Program](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/kasey-program/) - [Pay Bill](https://www.koorsen.com/koorsen-payments/) - [Products + Services](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/) - [Fire Protection](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/) - [Security](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/security/) - [Communications](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/) - [Mobile Equipment Solutions](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/mobile-equipment-solutions/) - [Additional Products + Services](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/#additional) - [Industries](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/) - [Healthcare](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/healthcare/) - [Industrial](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/industrial/) - [Education](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/education/) - [Restaurants](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/restaurants/) - [Property Management](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/property-management/) - [Hospitality](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/hospitality/) - [Retail](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/retail/) - [Construction](https://www.koorsen.com/industries/construction/) - [Locations](https://www.koorsen.com/locations/) - [News](https://blog.koorsen.com) - [Koorsen Blog](https://blog.koorsen.com) - [Koorsen In The News](https://www.koorsen.com/in-the-news/) - [Kasey the Dog Blog](https://blog.koorsen.com/kaseys-adventures) - [Careers](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/careers/) # How Can I Tell If a Fire Extinguisher Needs to be Recharged? Posted January 31, 2019 by [Koorsen Fire & Security](https://blog.koorsen.com/author/koorsen-fire-security) ![How to Tell If Fire Extinguisher Needs to be Recharged?](https://blog.koorsen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Products%20and%20Services/Fire%20Extinguisher/Fire%20Extinguisher%20Images/KoorsenTechs-8656.jpg?width=600&name=KoorsenTechs-8656.jpg) Keeping a fire extinguisher properly charged or pressurized is an extremely important step in owning and maintaining a fire extinguisher. If regular [fire extinguisher service and maintenance](https://blog.koorsen.com/5-reasons-why-your-fire-extinguisher-needs-to-be-serviced) is not performed, that extinguisher may not work when you need it most. Even if the portable extinguisher has never been used, it should be properly maintained to ensure it operates when or if a fire should occur. [![Need Fire Extinguishers? Contact Us Now for Pricing!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1973249/4802da5e-d34f-4d72-8f6e-0b5fee00609a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1973249/4802da5e-d34f-4d72-8f6e-0b5fee00609a) ## What to Look For There are several reasons it is necessary to [recharge a fire extinguisher](https://blog.koorsen.com/2015/06/fire-extinguisher-maintenance). While some of these reasons may seem obvious, some reasons may not be quite so evident. If your fire extinguisher has been used, it needs to be recharged immediately. Even the smallest discharge of the extinguishing agent can result in leakage, and eventually the pressure needed for proper operation is lost. According to 2018 [NFPA 10 7.8.1.1](https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=10), all rechargeable-type fire extinguishers shall be recharged after any use or when the need is indicated by an inspection or servicing. For the most commonly used ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher, [internal inspection and recharging](https://blog.koorsen.com/what-is-hydrostatic-testing-of-portable-abc-fire-extinguishers) is required at six and twelve years from the manufacture date. This date will be notated on the extinguisher. These inspections are important, even if the extinguisher has never been used. Please check the [NFPA 10](https://blog.koorsen.com/fire-extinguisher-requirements-according-to-nfpa-10) code and the manufacturer’s service guidelines for the periodic internal examination and recharging requirements. Extinguishers also need to be recharged and examined if they show any of the following deficiencies: low-pressure reading, illegible operating instructions, broken or missing safety seals and tamper indicators, obvious physical damages, corrosion, leakage, or a clogged nozzle. This is all notated in NFPA 10 7.2.3.1. If you notice anything listed above, be sure to have the fire extinguisher serviced and recharged immediately. It is also important to note, if you have a non-rechargeable fire extinguisher, the [fire extinguisher should be disposed of](https://blog.koorsen.com/what-to-do-with-an-old-fire-extinguisher) after it is used or shows any signs of damage or other environmental factors that may have resulted in it becoming depressurized. On a monthly basis, you should do a quick [inspection of your fire extinguisher](https://blog.koorsen.com/how-often-do-fire-extinguishers-need-to-be-inspected) to look for any obvious physical damage and to ensure your pressure gauge is still registering within the operational zone. The gauge will clearly tell you whether the unit is undercharged, overcharged, or within the operational zone. The needle point needs to be within the green area on your pressure gauge. ## Call An Expert All fire extinguisher recharging should be completed by a trained professional. [Fire protection companies](https://www.koorsen.com/), like Koorsen Fire & Security, have the tools and training to ensure that your extinguisher receive the proper service and maintenance. To ensure your fire extinguisher is in good working condition and meets all of the NFPA standards, call the experts at Koorsen Fire & Security. One of their highly trained technicians can answer all of your questions and even visit your place of business to help identify your fire extinguisher needs. Koorsen Fire & Security can help to provide the highest quality products, training, and service for all of your fire extinguishers. [![Fire Extinguisher Questions? Click to Contact Us Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1973249/d28a8a4b-93cb-4b45-9fc3-d444f3fec313.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1973249/d28a8a4b-93cb-4b45-9fc3-d444f3fec313)   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Topics: [Fire Extinguisher](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-extinguisher) ## Contact Us Now for All of Your Extinguisher Needs! *Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. It is believed to be reliable, but Koorsen Fire & Security assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this article. It does not constitute professional advice. The user of this article or the product(s) is responsible for verifying the information's accuracy from all available sources, including the product manufacturer. The authority having jurisdiction should be contacted for code interpretations.*  ### Related posts [How to Build a Fire Extinguisher Training Program for Employees](https://blog.koorsen.com/how-to-build-a-fire-extinguisher-training-program-for-employees) [The Lifecycle of a Fire Extinguisher: From Purchase to Disposal](https://blog.koorsen.com/the-lifecycle-of-a-fire-extinguisher-from-purchase-to-disposal) [How to Read a Fire Extinguisher Label Like a Pro](https://blog.koorsen.com/how-to-read-a-fire-extinguisher-label-like-a-pro) [The 7 Most Common Fire Extinguisher Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)](https://blog.koorsen.com/the-7-most-common-fire-extinguisher-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them) [Fire Extinguisher Requirements for Vehicle Fleets and Heavy Equipment](https://blog.koorsen.com/fire-extinguisher-requirements-for-vehicle-fleets-and-heavy-equipment) [![Questions! Contact Us Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1973249/27550866-4d2c-46fb-8ec4-ef118de52673.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1973249/27550866-4d2c-46fb-8ec4-ef118de52673) ### SEARCH OUR BLOG This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Recent Posts ### CATEGORIES - [Commercial Security (111)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/commercial-security) - [Fire Protection (109)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-protection) - [Fire Extinguisher (77)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-extinguisher) - [Fire Alarm Systems (75)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-alarm-systems) - [Fire Safety & Security (73)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-safety-security) - [Koorsen News (73)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/koorsen-news) - [Fire Sprinkler Systems (67)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-sprinkler-systems) - [Fire Safety (61)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-safety) - [Access Control Systems (45)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/access-control-systems) - [Fire Suppression (43)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-suppression) - [Inspection/Testing (43)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/inspectiontesting) - [Small Business Security (39)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/small-business-security) - [Kitchen Fire Suppression (37)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/kitchen-fire-suppression) - [Video Surveillance (30)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/video-surveillance) - [Fire Training (24)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-training) - [Restaurant Industry (24)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/restaurant-industry) - [Emergency/Exit Lighting (22)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/emergency-exit-lighting) - [Monitoring (20)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/monitoring) - [NFPA (19)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/nfpa) - [Education Industry (18)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/education-industry) - [Commercial Kitchen (17)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/commercial-kitchen) - [Training & Education (15)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/training-education) - [Fire Pumps (12)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/fire-pumps) - [Healthcare Industry (12)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/healthcare-industry) - [Property Management Industry (10)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/property-management-industry) - [Bi-Directional Amplifier (9)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/bi-directional-amplifier) - [Emergency Notification (9)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/emergency-notification) - [General (9)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/general) - [Nurse Call System (9)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/nurse-call-system) - [Kasey Program (8)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/kasey-program) - [Restaurant (8)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/restaurant) - [Education (7)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/education) - [Property Management (7)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/property-management) - [Construction Industry (6)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/construction-industry) - [Koorsen Family Foundation (6)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/koorsen-family-foundation) - [Press (6)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/press) - [Retail Industry (6)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/retail-industry) - [Mobile Equipment (4)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/mobile-equipment) - [Vehicle Fire Suppression (4)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/vehicle-fire-suppression) - [Awards (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/awards) - [Dry Chem Suppression (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/dry-chem-suppression) - [Engineering (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/engineering) - [Hospitality Industry (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/hospitality-industry) - [Long Term Care (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/long-term-care) - [Podcast (3)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/podcast) - [Industrial (2)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/industrial) - [Infographics (2)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/infographics) - [KnoxBox (2)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/knoxbox) - [Backflow Preventer (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/backflow-preventer) - [Construction (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/construction) - [Distributed Antenna Systems (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/distributed-antenna-systems) - [Flame Detection (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/flame-detection) - [Government (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/government) - [Home Security (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/home-security) - [The Joint Commission (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/the-joint-commission) - [Underground Services (1)](https://blog.koorsen.com/topic/underground-services) see all ### ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - [Fire Extinguishers](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-extinguishers/) - [General Fire Products](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/general-fire-products/) - [Emergency/Exit Lighting](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/emergency-exit-lighting/) - [Fire Alarm Systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-alarm-systems/) - [Fire Sprinkler Systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-sprinkler-systems/) - [Kitchen Fire Suppression](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/kitchen-hood-fire-suppression/) - [Fire Suppression Systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/fire-protection/fire-suppression-systems/) - [Commercial Security](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/security/commercial-security/) - [Emergency Notification](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/emergency-notification/) - [Communications](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/) - [Home Security](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/security/home-security/) - [Nurse Call Systems](https://www.koorsen.com/products-services/communications/nurse-call-systems/) ### OTHER COMPANIES - [KOORSEN ENVIRONMENTAL](https://koorsenes.com/) - [KOORSEN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT](https://www.koorsenfm.com/) ### CONTACT KOORSEN [866-311-7753](tel:8663117753) [info@koorsen.com](mailto:info@koorsen.com) - [FAQS](https://www.koorsen.com/faq/) - [KOORSEN CAREERS](https://www.koorsen.com/about-us/careers/) - [MEDIA RELATIONS](https://www.koorsen.com/media-relations/) - [TRANSPARENCY IN COVERAGE](https://www.koorsen.com/transparency-in-coverage/) © 2026 Koorsen Fire & Security | [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.koorsen.com/privacy-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security", "url" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/author/koorsen-fire-security" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-03T14:16:38.055Z", "datePublished" : "2019-01-31T14:56:56.000Z", "headline" : "How Can I Tell If a Fire Extinguisher Needs to be Recharged?", "image" : [ "https://blog.koorsen.com/hubfs/Blogs/Products%20and%20Services/Fire%20Extinguisher/Fire%20Extinguisher%20Images/KoorsenTechs-8656.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/how-can-i-tell-if-a-fire-extinguisher-needs-to-be-recharged", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/hubfs/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png" }, "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security - - -" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "", "addressLocality" : "Indianapolis", "addressRegion" : "IN", "postalCode" : "46218", "streetAddress" : "2719 N Arlington Ave " }, "alternateName" : "Koorsen", "description" : "Since 1946, people have trusted Koorsen to protect and secure their businesses and homes.", "email" : "https://www.koorsen.com/", "image" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png?width=209&name=koorsen-logo.png", "logo" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1973249/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/how-can-i-tell-if-a-fire-extinguisher-needs-to-be-recharged", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Keeping a fire extinguisher properly charged or pressurized is an extremely important step in owning and maintaining a fire extinguisher. If regular fire extinguisher service and maintenance is not performed, that extinguisher may not work when you need it most. " }, "naics" : "238220", "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security Headquarters", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/pages/Koorsen-Fire-Security/173081436052031", "https://twitter.com/koorsenfire", "http://www.linkedin.com/company/koorsen-fire-and-security", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0ncdcrEYAjDHIcGGgJ3KQ", "https://www.instagram.com/koorsenfire/?hl=en" ], "telephone" : "", "url" : "https://www.koorsen.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security" }, "dateModified" : "May 3, 2023, 2:16:38 PM", "datePublished" : "2019-01-31 14:56:56", "description" : "Keeping a fire extinguisher properly charged or pressurized is an extremely important step in owning and maintaining a fire extinguisher. If regular fire extinguisher service and maintenance is not performed, that extinguisher may not work when you need it most. ", "headline" : "How Can I Tell If a Fire Extinguisher Needs to be Recharged?", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1973249/Blogs/Products%20and%20Services/Fire%20Extinguisher/Fire%20Extinguisher%20Images/KoorsenTechs-8656.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.koorsen.com/how-can-i-tell-if-a-fire-extinguisher-needs-to-be-recharged", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1973249/KoorsenFireSecurity_April2017/Images/koorsen-logo.png" }, "name" : "Koorsen Fire & Security Headquarters" } } ```