How Fireco Can Help with Fire Extinguisher Servicing and Compliance this Year
As the calendar turns and we plan for the year ahead, it’s a great opportunity to start fresh with a safety check that could save lives and protect your business: fire extinguisher readiness.
Fire extinguishers are a first line of defence in a fire emergency, but simply having them on the wall isn’t enough. Your extinguishers need to be charged, accessible, correctly serviced and compliant with New Zealand standards. Here’s how to make sure your extinguishers are genuinely ready for action this year.
1. Are your extinguishers charged and in the ‘Green Zone’?
One of the easiest checks you can do is inspect the pressure gauge on each of your fire extinguishers (the gauge will be at the top of the extinguisher, near the nozzle). The needle should sit in the green zone, and this means that the extinguisher is properly pressurised and ready to use when needed.
If the gauge is in the red zone, either above or below the green zone, then your fire extinguisher won’t function as intended and needs servicing or replacement by a fire safety professional.
Any extinguisher that has been used, even partially, must be refilled and recharged by a professional before it can be reliably used again.
2. Are your fire extinguishers easily accessible with appropriate signage?
Every second counts in a fire emergency, which is why NZ fire safety standards and best practice guidelines require your extinguishers to be mounted in clearly visible locations, with no obstructions. You also need compliant signage to indicate the presence and type of extinguisher, installed above the unit so anyone can spot it, even in low visibility.
For NZ businesses, extinguishers should be installed near likely fire hazards, like kitchen areas, workshop spaces, or electrical gear – where quick action can prevent a small fire from spreading. View our range of extinguishers and signage here.
3. When were your fire extinguishers last serviced and maintained?
Unfortunately, many kiwis have a “get and forget” mindset when it comes to fire safety gear, and often neglect proper maintenance. But servicing your extinguishers isn’t just good practice, it’s a part of New Zealand’s legal requirements for fire safety equipment.
Under the NZ Standard NZS 4503:2005 (Hand Operated Fire Fighting Equipment), fire extinguishers must be:
- Inspected annually by a competent person to ensure they are in good working order and compliant.
- In some hostile environments (e.g. outdoor, corrosive, extreme conditions), inspections may be required every six months.
- Certain types like wet chemical and foam extinguishers require a more detailed service every three years (including test discharge and recharging).
- All extinguishers must undergo a hydrostatic pressure test every five years to ensure the cylinder can still safely hold pressure.
For workplaces, these requirements also tie into broader New Zealand regulations such as the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, which place obligations on employers and building owners to ensure all firefighting equipment is maintained and compliant.
Regular checks and maintenance are key to staying fire-safe all year round
Monthly visual checks, like looking at the gauge, seals, obvious damage, and ensuring unobstructed access, all help catch issues early. But professional servicing and record-keeping are what keep your extinguishers compliant and truly ready to perform when needed.
Keeping clear maintenance records isn’t just sensible, it’s often required for compliance audits, insurance reviews, and Building Warrant of Fitness (BWOF) checks too. Accurate servicing tags and documentation make inspections smoother and give peace of mind that your equipment meets NZ safety standards.
Need professional servicing or replacements for your fire safety equipment in Northland & Auckland?
If your fire extinguishers haven’t been checked recently, or if you’re unsure whether they meet compliance standards for 2026 and beyond, Fireco is here to help. Our team can:
- Carry out annual inspections and servicing
- Replace or upgrade extinguishers and signage
- Make sure your equipment is compliant and ready for action
Get in touch with Fireco today for a safer 2026.
