How do I use a fire extinguisher?

While you should familiarize yourself with the specifics of the model you have, most fire extinguishers are used according to PASS: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle at the fire, Squeeze the handle to spray, Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it goes out. Watch closely and repeat aim, squeeze, and sweep if the fire reignites.

Can fire extinguishers expire?

Yes! While most don’t come with an expiration date printed anywhere, manufacturers usually give life span estimates of five to fifteen years. Different types will have different life spans, and some may last exceptionally long or go off early. For this reason, annual testing is recommended. Your extinguisher may have inspection information on a tag already.

Are fire extinguishers toxic?

Is depends on what type of fire extinguisher you’re using, and what sort of exposure you’re facing. You probably don’t want to breathe in a lungful of any fire extinguisher chemicals if you can possibly avoid it, but a standard ABC extinguisher’s contents will typically cause mild irritation at worst, even with heavy exposure. Class K wet chemical extinguishers, on the other hand, can contain much more toxic chemical components, and any direct exposure should be taken seriously.

How should fire extinguishers be stored?

There are a few rules of thumb—and, in some cases, legal guidelines—that should inform you of the best places to store your fire extinguishers. First, consider what type of fire extinguisher it is and what you might be using it for. Then, consider how far away it may be from any potential fire hazard or area; you want it easily accessible as quickly as possible, but you don’t want it to be so close that it gets caught in the fire you need it for and turned useless (or into another hazard). Some locations will have legal requirements for how far away in time or space a fire extinguisher can be from any given point.

Can you recharge my fire extinguisher?

A fire extinguisher that can be recharged and matches standard chemicals should be able to be recharged by any reputable fire equipment dealer, including us. If you’re not sure whether yours is rechargeable, or if you’re worried it’s some sort of specialist unit that requires attention from a specific manufacturer, just contact us. We’ll be happy to help you figure it out.

Can a fire extinguisher explode?

Defective or heavily damaged fire extinguishers have been known to explode, making it especially important that you get your extinguishers inspected regularly and take care if one is damaged to replace it. A fire extinguisher that gets caught in a fire may also become a hazard as its contents become heated and expand. Many have release valves to protect against this exact scenario, but this is another important reason to be thoughtful in where your store your fire extinguishers and to ask promptly to retrieve them when necessary.

How do I dispose of a fire extinguisher after it has been used?

You have two options for disposing of a fire extinguisher that cannot be reused: pass it off to your local Household Hazardous Waste collection program or similar agency if one is in your area, or completely discharge the cannister into an open area, leave it for a few days, then dispose of it as regular trash.

Can a fire extinguisher be reused?

It depends on the type of fire extinguisher. While some are designed to be used once and never again, others may be rechargeable but only if they remain within code. You can contact us to find out whether your fire extinguisher is reusable or not. Be alert, this does not mean you can test fire a fire extinguisher; the vast majority will lose all charge after one use, and even those that do not are less effective if not fully charged.

Why do I need to have my fire extinguisher inspected?

Fire extinguishers expire if left too long, can lose pressure in any number of ways, may have mechanical faults that would prevent operations, or can fall out of code over time. An inspection will catch these problems and any others, allowing you to be sure that you won’t be left holding a dud in the event of a fire.

Fire Extinguishers in Houston and Surrounding Areas

Fire safety is not optional for commercial properties, apartment complexes, schools, and public facilities. Fire protection is a legal requirement and a moral responsibility for Houston business owners.

One of the most important tools for protecting lives and property is a commercial fire extinguisher. The national standard for portable fire extinguishers, NFPA 10, sets strict guidelines for extinguisher placement, inspection, and maintenance. Businesses in Houston that fail to meet these rules face fines, liability risks, and increased danger to occupants.

At Kauffman Co., we make compliance with fire extinguishers in Houston, TX, simple. Our team provides fire extinguisher sales, inspections, and maintenance for all types of businesses across Houston and the surrounding communities. Whether you manage a downtown office building, a hotel in Galveston, or a restaurant in Sugar Land, our experts ensure your facility remains fully protected and up to code.

Kauffman Co. offers reliable fire extinguisher service in Houston, including sales, inspections, refills, and training. Contact us today to ask about purchasing fire extinguishers for your business or schedule an inspection, refill, or training session.

Why Houston-Area Businesses Choose Kauffman Co. for Fire Extinguishers

Businesses throughout the region rely on Kauffman Co. for our decades of experience and dedication to life safety. Our team understands the unique fire protection needs of commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties across the Greater Houston area.

When you contact our team about fire extinguisher services, you benefit from comprehensive support, local expertise, and a rapid emergency response team. We’re ready to protect your people and property.

What sets us apart

Serving Houston and surrounding communities for decades
Complete service, including sales and installation
Inspection
Refills
Training
NFPA-compliant solutions for all industries
Rapid emergency response in the Greater Houston area

Complete Fire Extinguisher Services

Kauffman Co. provides a full range of services for fire extinguishers in Houston. We ensure that your building stays compliant and safe, so you can be prepared for any emergency.

Our licensed professionals handle everything from selecting the right extinguishers for your property to maintaining them throughout their lifespan. With our support, you’ll never have to worry about missing an inspection deadline or facing an unexpected equipment failure.

Our fire extinguisher services include:

Sales and installation of all extinguisher types (ABC, Class K, CO₂, clean agent)
Annual and monthly inspections per NFPA 10 standards
Refills, recharges, and replacements
Hands-on training for staff and safety teams

By staying on top of inspections and refills, you’ll reduce liability, avoid fines, and protect the lives of everyone who enters your property.

Fire Extinguisher Inspection & Testing

NFPA fire extinguisher requirements mandate regular inspections in Houston and the surrounding areas. These inspections confirm that extinguishers are in their proper location. Our inspectors make sure your extinguishers are fully charged and free of damage or tampering.

Here are some reasons why fire extinguisher inspections are important. Neglecting them can lead to costly fines and downtime if your building isn’t compliant. What’s even worse is that a malfunctioning extinguisher can put lives at risk during an actual fire.

Kauffman Co. makes compliance easy with our scheduled monthly and annual inspections. Our certified technicians perform all necessary checks. We will update the tags and provide detailed reports.

Serving the Greater Houston Area

Kauffman Co. proudly delivers fire extinguisher service in Houston and the surrounding communities. Our local team understands the needs of your Gulf Coast business. Houston’s humid climate can affect your fire extinguishers’ performance. We also understand the unique demands of industrial and petrochemical facilities.

Our primary service area includes: Houston, Galveston, Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, The Woodlands, League City, Conroe, Beaumont, and surrounding Southeast Texas communities.

We also extend our fire protection services to businesses in College Station and Waco. Our technicians ensure your Central Texas facilities have the same reliable support. Wherever your property is located, you can count on our experts for prompt, professional fire extinguisher service.

Schedule Your Fire Extinguisher Service Today

Don’t wait until the fire marshal arrives or you have a fire to make sure your extinguishers are in compliance. Kauffman Co. provides trusted fire extinguisher service in Houston, including inspections, refills, and replacement units. We also offer fire code correction services to help your facility meet local and NFPA standards.

Contact Kauffman Co. today to schedule your fire extinguisher inspection, sales, or training and keep your Houston business fully protected.

Fire Extinguisher FAQs

Every business owner wants to feel confident that their fire protection equipment is ready when it’s needed most. With so many rules, extinguisher types, and inspection requirements, it’s normal to have questions about how to stay compliant and keep your property safe. We have answered some of the most common ones below to give you clear, straightforward guidance.

How often do fire extinguishers need to be inspected in Houston?

NFPA 10 and Texas fire codes require a visual inspection of portable fire extinguishers every month, as well as a full professional inspection once a year. Certain types of extinguishers, such as pressurized water or CO₂ units, may in addition require hydrostatic testing every 5 to 12 years, depending on the type.

What type of fire extinguisher is right for my business?

The right extinguisher for your business depends on the hazards that are present. For example:

Class A: Ordinary combustibles like wood or paper
Class B: Flammable liquids like grease or fuel
Class C: Electrical equipment
Class K: Commercial kitchen grease fires

Our experts will evaluate your facility and then recommend the correct extinguisher types and sizes.

Can you refill or recharge my current extinguisher?

Yes, we can! Kauffman Co. provides both on-site and in-house refills for most types of extinguishers, including ABC, CO₂, clean agent, and Class K units. Recharging is performed after use, during scheduled maintenance, or if pressure loss is detected.

Do you provide fire extinguisher training for employees?

Yes, we do. We offer hands-on fire extinguisher training programs to teach proper use, inspection basics, and safety best practices. Training can be conducted at your location or in our facility to meet OSHA and NFPA requirements.

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