1. (a) Fire extinguishers shall be subjected to maintenance annually as described in this chapter or immediately after use or when specifically indicated by an inspection or at the time of hydrostatic test. For purposes of maintenance, hydrostatic tests required during the same calendar year shall be performed at the time of the annual maintenance or recharge.

2. (b) Non-rechargeable fire extinguishers shall not be recharged or hydrostatically tested but shall be discharged and removed from service at a maximum interval of 12 years from the date of manufacture.

   Exception: Non-rechargeable fire extinguishers containing a halogenated agent shall be removed from service, not discharged, and returned to the manufacturer or fire extinguisher distributor having the capability of recovering the halogenated agent.

3. (c) When additional fire extinguishers are installed in excess of those required, the additional extinguishers shall be subjected to maintenance and hydrostatically tested in the same manner and at intervals as set forth in this chapter for required extinguishers.

4. (d) New fire extinguishers that are fully charged by the manufacturer shall, after being sold, be subjected to maintenance within one year from the date of manufacture in accordance with this chapter. If only the year is shown, the new extinguisher shall be due for maintenance by January 1st of the year following the year of manufacture in accordance with this chapter.

   Exception: A licensed fire extinguisher concern may attach the tag described in Section 596.1(a) and punch the new extinguisher block and date the extinguisher was sold. Extinguishers tagged in this manner shall be subjected to maintenance one year from the date on the tag in accordance with this chapter. Extinguishers more than two years old from date of manufacture shall not be tagged as new extinguishers.

5. (e) At the time of installation and at each annual maintenance, extinguishers shall be placed in a fully charged and operable condition free from defects which may cause malfunctions.
6. (f) At the time of service, hydrostatic testing, or at any time when parts are replaced, an itemized invoice showing work performed and parts replaced shall be provided by the licensee to the owner or possessor of the fire extinguisher.
7. (g) The licensee shall offer, in writing, to return all replaced parts to the portable fire extinguisher owner or owner's representative, except such parts as the licensee is required to return to the manufacturer of the portable fire extinguisher under any warranty arrangement. Text of offer must be in capital letters of at least 10 pt. boldface type or legible printing of comparable size.
8. (h) Service shall not be performed more than 30 days before the date the service is due, unless approved and initialed by the owner or owner's representative in writing. Text must be capital letter in at least 10 pt. boldface type or legible printing of comparable size stating that service was performed more than 30 days prior to the due date.

Note: Authority cited: Section 13160, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 13160, 13162, 13177 and 13190.3, Health and Safety Code.

History

1. New section filed 3-4-92; operative 4-3-92 (Register 92, No. 15).

2. Amendment of section heading and section filed 12-27-2001; operative 1-1-2002 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2001, No. 52).

3. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (h) filed 7-25-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 30).

4. Amendment of subsections (b), (g) and (h) filed 2-28-2007; operative 3-30-2007 (Register 2007, No. 9).

5. Amendment of subsection (b) filed 7-17-2013; operative 10-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 29).