What does AS 1851 require for monthly fire extinguisher inspections?

AS 1851:2012 Table 15 requires monthly routine inspections of all portable fire extinguishers. The monthly inspection is a visual check covering location and accessibility, signage, pressure gauge reading (stored-pressure types), safety pin and tamper seal condition, physical condition of the body, hose and nozzle, and mounting. It is distinct from the more detailed six-monthly, annual and five-yearly servicing performed by licensed fire protection technicians. The inspection must be documented with the date and inspector identification.

Who can perform monthly fire extinguisher inspections?

Monthly visual inspections can be performed by any person who has been trained to identify the inspection criteria, including building occupants, facilities staff, safety officers or security personnel. They do not require a licensed fire protection technician. However, the inspector must be able to recognise a discharged, damaged, corroded or tampered extinguisher and know the procedure for removing a defective unit from service and arranging replacement. Six-monthly and annual servicing must be performed by a licensed fire protection technician.

What is the difference between a monthly inspection and an annual service for fire extinguishers?

A monthly inspection is a quick visual check covering location, accessibility, signage, pressure, tamper seal and physical condition. It takes one to two minutes per extinguisher and can be performed by trained building staff. An annual service is a thorough examination performed by a licensed fire protection technician that includes discharging and recharging (for some types), internal examination, component replacement, weight verification, functional testing and re-tagging. Annual servicing is more comprehensive and can only be performed by qualified technicians.

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Free fire extinguisher monthly inspection checklist (PDF-ready). Covers NFPA 10 and AS 1851 requirements for location, condition, pressure and signage. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a fire extinguisher monthly inspection checklist?

A fire extinguisher monthly inspection form is a structured document used to record the routine visual checks performed on portable fire extinguishers at regular monthly intervals. It covers location and accessibility, mounting height, signage, pressure gauge reading, safety pin and tamper seal condition, hose and nozzle condition, body damage, corrosion, weight (for CO2 and cartridge-operated types) and overall serviceability. Each extinguisher is recorded as Pass, Fail or Requires Service with space for deficiency notes and the inspector initials or signature.

In Australia, AS 1851:2012 Table 15 requires monthly routine inspections of all portable fire extinguishers, and these inspections form part of the broader essential safety measures maintenance obligations under the Building Code of Australia. Internationally, NFPA 10 Section 7.2 requires monthly visual inspections of all portable fire extinguishers. Monthly inspections are quick visual checks, distinct from the more detailed six-monthly and annual servicing performed by licensed fire protection technicians. They are typically performed by building occupants, facilities staff or safety officers and are designed to confirm each extinguisher is in its designated location, has not been discharged or tampered with, shows no visible damage and has adequate pressure. Without regular monthly inspections, discharged, damaged or missing extinguishers may go unnoticed until they are needed during a fire.

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Benefits of using this fire extinguisher monthly inspection checklist

Regulatory compliance: documented monthly inspections satisfy AS 1851:2012 Table 15 routine service requirements and NFPA 10 Section 7.2 visual inspection mandates.
Early fault detection: identifying discharged, damaged, corroded or tampered extinguishers before they are needed in an emergency, when a failed extinguisher could cost lives.
Location verification: confirming every extinguisher remains in its designated location, is visible, accessible and not obstructed by equipment, furniture or stored materials.
Pressure confirmation: checking that pressure gauges show readings in the operable (green) zone, flagging extinguishers that have lost pressure for immediate servicing.
Insurance evidence: monthly inspection records demonstrate active fire safety maintenance, supporting insurance compliance and claims documentation.
Accountability: signed inspection records create clear accountability for who checked each extinguisher, when it was checked and what condition it was found in.

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What to include in a fire extinguisher monthly inspection checklist

This fire extinguisher monthly inspection checklist covers 8 key areas:

Building and inspection details: building name, address, floor or area, inspection date, inspector name and signature, and inspection interval (monthly).
Extinguisher register: list of all extinguishers by asset ID or location number, type (water, foam, dry chemical, CO2, wet chemical), capacity (kg or litres), manufacturer, model and installation date.
Location and accessibility: extinguisher is in its designated location, visible, not obstructed, mounted at the correct height (top of handle not more than 1.2 metres above floor per AS 2444) and within the required travel distance.
Signage: fire extinguisher location sign is in place, visible, not damaged and compliant with AS 2444 requirements for size, colour and pictogram.
Pressure gauge: gauge reading is in the operable (green) zone for stored-pressure types. Note: CO2 and cartridge-operated extinguishers do not have pressure gauges and require weight checks.
Safety pin and tamper seal: safety pin is in place, tamper seal or indicator is intact, indicating the extinguisher has not been discharged or tampered with since the last service.
Physical condition: body is free from dents, corrosion, paint damage and leakage. Hose, nozzle and handle are intact, securely attached and free from blockage or deterioration.
Overall result: Pass, Fail or Requires Service for each extinguisher, with deficiency notes, corrective actions and follow-up dates for any failed items.

How to use this fire extinguisher monthly inspection checklist

Record the building name, floor or area, inspection date and inspector name at the top of the form, and collect the extinguisher register for the area being inspected.: Identify all extinguishers assigned to the area using the register, floor plan or asset management system. Confirm the total number expected so you can identify any missing units. Monthly inspections should follow a consistent route to ensure no extinguisher is overlooked. Record whether this is a routine monthly check or a follow-up inspection after a previous deficiency.
Walk the designated route and verify each extinguisher is in its correct location, visible, accessible and properly mounted with signage in place.: Confirm the extinguisher is mounted in its designated position, not on the floor or hidden behind equipment. Verify the location sign is visible from the approach direction and compliant with AS 2444. Check that the mounting height is correct (top of handle not more than 1.2 metres above floor level per AS 2444). Confirm the access path is clear with no obstructions within the required clearance zone.
Check the pressure gauge reading, safety pin, tamper seal, and overall physical condition of each extinguisher.: For stored-pressure extinguishers, verify the pressure gauge needle is in the green (operable) zone. If the needle is in the red zone (undercharged or overcharged), mark the extinguisher as Requires Service. Check that the safety pin is in place and the tamper seal or break-tie indicator is intact. Inspect the body for dents, corrosion, paint loss and leaks. Check the hose and nozzle for cracks, blockage and secure attachment.
For CO2 and cartridge-operated extinguishers, perform a weight check and record the measured weight against the required weight.: CO2 and cartridge-operated extinguishers do not have pressure gauges, so serviceability is determined by weight. Weigh each unit using a calibrated scale and compare the measured weight to the required weight shown on the label. If the measured weight is below the minimum acceptable weight (typically a loss of more than 10% for CO2 types), mark the extinguisher as Requires Service and arrange for immediate replacement or refilling.
Record all findings, mark each extinguisher as Pass, Fail or Requires Service, assign corrective actions for any deficiencies and sign the completed form.: Document every failed or deficient extinguisher with the specific issue, location and corrective action required. Missing or discharged extinguishers require immediate replacement with a serviceable spare. Corroded, damaged or undercharged extinguishers must be removed from service and sent for professional servicing. Sign and date the form, and submit it to the building manager for record-keeping and corrective action tracking.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

Monthly visual inspections are required by both AS 1851:2012 Table 15 and NFPA 10 Section 7.2. These are quick checks that can be performed by trained building occupants, facilities staff or safety officers. They should be completed at approximately 30-day intervals, and the inspection date should be recorded on the extinguisher tag or in the digital inspection system.

In addition to monthly inspections, AS 1851 requires six-monthly routine service by a licensed fire protection technician, annual maintenance and condition assessment, and five-yearly hydrostatic pressure testing. NFPA 10 requires annual maintenance and periodic hydrostatic testing at intervals determined by extinguisher type (5, 6 or 12 years). Monthly inspections do not replace these more detailed professional service requirements, but they bridge the gap between professional visits and catch obvious problems such as discharge, damage, relocation or obstruction.

Frequently asked questions

What does AS 1851 require for monthly fire extinguisher inspections?: AS 1851:2012 Table 15 requires monthly routine inspections of all portable fire extinguishers. The monthly inspection is a visual check covering location and accessibility, signage, pressure gauge reading (stored-pressure types), safety pin and tamper seal condition, physical condition of the body, hose and nozzle, and mounting. It is distinct from the more detailed six-monthly, annual and five-yearly servicing performed by licensed fire protection technicians. The inspection must be documented with the date and inspector identification.
How often should fire extinguishers be inspected?: Fire extinguishers require monthly visual inspections under both AS 1851 and NFPA 10. Beyond monthly checks, AS 1851 prescribes six-monthly routine service, annual maintenance and condition assessment, and five-yearly hydrostatic pressure testing, all performed by licensed fire protection technicians. NFPA 10 requires annual maintenance and periodic hydrostatic testing at intervals of 5, 6 or 12 years depending on the extinguisher type. Monthly inspections are quick visual checks designed to catch obvious problems between professional service visits.
Who can perform monthly fire extinguisher inspections?: Monthly visual inspections can be performed by any person who has been trained to identify the inspection criteria, including building occupants, facilities staff, safety officers or security personnel. They do not require a licensed fire protection technician. However, the inspector must be able to recognise a discharged, damaged, corroded or tampered extinguisher and know the procedure for removing a defective unit from service and arranging replacement. Six-monthly and annual servicing must be performed by a licensed fire protection technician.
What is the difference between a monthly inspection and an annual service for fire extinguishers?: A monthly inspection is a quick visual check covering location, accessibility, signage, pressure, tamper seal and physical condition. It takes one to two minutes per extinguisher and can be performed by trained building staff. An annual service is a thorough examination performed by a licensed fire protection technician that includes discharging and recharging (for some types), internal examination, component replacement, weight verification, functional testing and re-tagging. Annual servicing is more comprehensive and can only be performed by qualified technicians.
Is this fire extinguisher monthly inspection checklist free?: Yes. Download and use this fire extinguisher monthly inspection checklist at no cost. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF for a paper copy. No MapTrack account is required. If you want digital extinguisher inspections on mobile with QR code scanning, photo capture, automated monthly scheduling and compliance dashboards per building, MapTrack can do that. Book a demo to see how it works.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

NFPA 10 (Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers) Section 7.2 (Monthly inspections)
AS 1851:2012 (Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment) Table 15
AS 2444 (Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets - Selection and location)
Building Code of Australia (BCA) Section I - Maintenance of essential safety measures

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