A fire extinguisher is not just a red cylinder hanging on the wall. The owner must monitor its condition and document it, and when the Rescue Board (Päästeamet) comes to inspect, these are the records they ask for.
The requirements are set out in Minister of the Interior Regulation No 44 (fire extinguishers and hose systems). The common belief that "an extinguisher is serviced once a year" is only partly correct: in fact there are three different things, each with its own frequency.
Visual check, inspection and servicing
A visual check is a simple look carried out by the owner or a person they appoint. An inspection is done by a competent inspector: they examine the extinguisher and attach a new tag. Servicing is more thorough work: the extinguisher is opened and, if necessary, recharged.
Frequencies in a table
| Task | Who does it | How often | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual check | the owner personally | once a quarter | Regulation No. 44, § 9 |
| Check | competent inspector | once a year (damp, vibration, temperature fluctuations) or once every 2 years (dry, steady temperature); immediately if a fault is suspected | § 10 (2) |
| Servicing | maintainer | foam and water extinguishers every 5 years, others every 10 years; after each use | § 11 |
| Hose system | owner / inspector / maintainer | visual check once a quarter, inspection once a year, maintenance at least every 5 years | § 15–17 |
What to check during a visual check
- the Estonian-language label is present and legible;
- the pressure gauge needle is in the green zone (if there is a gauge);
- the extinguisher has no visible damage or rust and the seal is intact;
- the extinguisher is in its place, secured and visible, and access is not blocked;
- the inspection tag is valid.
Write down the date and result of every visual check. If something is not in order, call an inspector.
How many extinguishers you need
In office, industrial, warehouse and similar buildings, the minimum is one 6 kg powder extinguisher (or equivalent) per 200 m², but at least one on each floor. Where hot food is prepared, an F-class extinguisher (for grease fires) is also needed. The exact requirement depends on the building; if in doubt, ask the Rescue Board (Päästeamet) or the inspector.
Upkeep log
The owner must keep a maintenance log for the fire extinguishers. The regulation allows it to be kept electronically, as long as the owner, the inspector, the servicing company and the Rescue Board (Päästeamet) can access it (§ 8 (5)). If your building has to submit a fire safety self-inspection report, it must be submitted for the previous year by 31 March at the latest.
Common mistakes
- The extinguishers are there, but there is no record of any checks.
- The inspection tag has expired because nobody kept track of the date.
- The extinguisher is behind a cupboard or blocked by furniture.
- After a small fire, the used extinguisher is put back on the wall without servicing.
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