FAQ

1. How often do my fire alarms need to be inspected?
2. How often do I change the batteries in my smoke detector?
3. How do I test my smoke detector?
4. When does my fire extinguisher need to be serviced?
5. How do I know if a company is certified?
6. How often do emergency lights need to be tested?

How often do my fire alarms need to be inspected?

They need to be inspected yearly.

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How often do I change the batteries in my smoke detector?

It is recommended you change the batteries and test your smoke detectors when you change the clocks forwards, and backwards.

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How do I test my smoke detector?

There are 3 ways to test your smoke detector. 

1. Press the test button that is on the smoke detector

2. Light a candle and blow it out under the smoke detector

3. Use a can of smoke, and spray it at the smoke detector

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When does my fire extinguisher need to be serviced?

Your fire extinguisher needs to be inspected once per year by a certified fire extinguisher inspector. You will also need to recharge your fire extinguisher if it has been used, or if the seal is broken, or if the needle in the gauge is in the red.

6 years from the year of manufacture, or 6 years from the previous hydrostatic testing, your fire extinguisher needs to be serviced. In this servicing, the extinguisher is discharged, the inside of the cylinder is inspected for rust, pitting, or damage, and then it is refilled and recharged. The head of the fire extinguisher is also taken apart, inspected, and re-assembled.

12 years from the year of manufacture, or 12 years from previous hydrostatic testing, your fire extinguisher needs to be serviced. In this servicing, the extinguisher is discharged, the inside of the cylinder is inspected for rust, pitting, or damage, and then it is filled up with water, and pressurized to detect any cylinder weakness. The cylinder is dried, and then it is refilled and recharged. The head of the fire extinguisher is also taken apart, inspected, and re-assembled.

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How do I know if a company is certified?

You can ask to see the companies, certification number

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How often do emergency lights need to be tested?

Emergency lights need to be tested for 5 minutes once per month, and is normally done by the individual.

Annual inspection is done once per year for 30 minutes by a certified company.

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Tanya Berthelot
Revised: April 18, 2006 .