Fire extinguishers are critical safety devices designed to suppress small fires before they escalate into larger emergencies. Regular maintenance and refilling are essential to ensure their effectiveness. IS 2190 is the Indian Standard that outlines guidelines for the refilling frequency of fire extinguishers, ensuring their readiness in case of a fire.

Refilling Frequency Guidelines: IS 2190 stipulates that fire extinguishers should undergo annual maintenance checks by qualified professionals. During this inspection, extinguishers are examined for damage, corrosion, and leakage. Additionally, pressure gauges, nozzles, hoses, and other components are tested to ensure proper functionality.

Certain types of extinguishers, particularly those with pressurized contents like carbon dioxide or water, require hydrostatic testing at specified intervals. This testing helps ensure the integrity of the pressure vessel and prevents potential failures.

While IS 2190 does not provide specific refilling intervals for all extinguisher types, it emphasizes refilling whenever an extinguisher is partially or fully discharged, damaged, or after any use. Refilling may also be necessary if the pressure gauge indicates a loss of pressure.

The frequency of refilling may vary based on environmental conditions and usage patterns. In high-risk environments or locations prone to frequent fires, more frequent refilling and maintenance may be necessary to ensure readiness.