Fire Extinguisher Inspection Requirements in Texas

Every Texas business needs working fire extinguishers but having them on the wall isn’t enough. They have to be ready the instant you need them, and that means regular checks, records, and tagging. At Kauffman Co. in Houston, TX, we help local businesses stay compliant by keeping extinguishers in good shape and inspection tags up to date. Here’s what you need to know about fire extinguishers in Texas, how often service is required, and what inspectors usually find during safety evaluations.

Why Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Matters

A fire extinguisher is only useful if it works the moment someone grabs it. Parts can corrode, pressure can drop, and labels can fade. Dust, paint, or clutter can also block access without anyone noticing. Inspections catch those issues early, so a small flame doesn’t turn into a major loss. They also protect your business from fines, insurance issues, and downtime caused by failed safety audits. Routine attention keeps your facility safer, your records cleaner, and your liability lower.

Monthly Visual Checks

Most Texas businesses follow NFPA 10 as the baseline standard for portable fire extinguishers. It calls for a simple monthly inspection. This isn’t a full-service visit. It’s a quick visual check that can be handled in-house by trained staff. During these monthly checks, confirm every extinguisher is easy to reach, not blocked, and shows no obvious damage or rust. The gauge should sit in the green zone, the pin should be secure with a tamper seal, and the label should be readable. If you spot dents, leaks, or missing parts, tag the unit for service instead of ignoring it.

Keep a log of your monthly inspections. Many businesses initial and date the back of each tag, or track checks in a simple spreadsheet. Inspectors want to see a pattern, not a single entry made the day before an audit. Under NFPA extinguisher rules, the monthly inspection is part of proving your extinguishers are present and ready, not just purchased and forgotten.

Annual Professional Inspections and Tagging

Once a year, schedule a licensed fire protection company to conduct a full fire extinguisher inspection in Texas. The state-certified inspector checks each extinguisher’s condition, confirms it fits the hazard where it’s mounted, and verifies that it is mounted and labeled correctly. They will review the gauge or weight, inspect the hose and nozzle, and look for corrosion or damage that could keep the extinguisher from working.

Inspection time is when your documentation is evaluated. Many commercial extinguisher requirements come down to proof: a current service tag, a clear date, and a technician who is properly licensed to perform the work. After service, the inspector attaches a new inspection tag showing the month, year, and their licensing details. If the extinguisher fails inspection, it must be repaired, recharged, or replaced before it gets a fresh tag. If your tags are expired, missing, or unreadable, expect that to come up during a fire marshal visit.

Different Extinguisher Types and What Inspectors Look For

Texas businesses use several types of extinguishers depending on what’s inside the building. ABC dry-chemical units are common in offices, warehouses, and retail spaces. CO2 models show up in electrical rooms and server areas because they leave no residue. Class K units belong in commercial kitchens and restaurants to handle cooking oil and grease fires. Some industrial sites also need Class D units for combustible metals, or clean-agent extinguishers for sensitive equipment.

For CO2 units, weight matters since many don’t have a pressure gauge. A unit can look “fine” at a glance and still fail when weighed, inspected closely, or compared to the hazard it’s meant to protect against.

Common Compliance Problems

Most violations are small and easy to avoid. Extinguishers blocked by boxes, displays, or pallets are one of the most common issues. Expired tags come next, followed by extinguishers mounted too high or too low. During remodeling, extinguishers sometimes get moved and never remounted correctly. In kitchens, the wrong extinguisher type is a frequent problem, especially when a Class K unit is missing or outdated for the cooking setup. When your program follows Texas fire code extinguisher standards, you also eliminate the need for citations that can lead to re-inspections, deadlines, and disruptions.

Schedule Fire Extinguisher Service in Texas

Fire safety should never be a last-minute task. With monthly visual checks, yearly professional inspections, and updated tags, your business can meet requirements without stress.

At Kauffman Co., we help Texas businesses handle extinguisher inspections, recharging, replacements, and compliance documentation that holds up during facility evaluations. Contact Kauffman Co. today to keep your workplace ready all year long.