How to Read a Fire Extinguisher Tag
You walk past fire extinguishers at work, giving them no attention as they rest quietly on the walls of your facilities – hoping they’ll never be used.
But it’s your fire extinguisher tag that tells the full compliance and service story to help ensure the extinguisher’s reliability when needed.
What’s the purpose of the tag?
Fire extinguisher tags serve as an official visual record for inspectors, extinguisher service providers and company safety leaders. The tags include key dates and critical information showing each fire extinguisher has been inspected, serviced and is compliant with local fire codes and OSHA regulations. Cintas utilizes durable tags to avoid easy removal that hang from the extinguisher’s handle. Tags do differ per service provider, but we will use a Cintas tag to explain each part on the tag.
Components on the tag’s front
Company information: Along with an identifying company logo (Cintas), the inspection company’s name, location, address and 24-hour emergency service number are indicated at the top.
License No. and Service by: These lines indicate the company’s filed service number, and the Cintas service technician performing unit inspections.
NAFED certification: This logo for the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors recognizes Cintas as a NAFED-certified provider of fire inspection services with skilled technicians who service portable fire extinguishers. The certification ensures extinguishers are tagged, inspected and recharged using correct NAFED 10 guidelines.
Year: Large bold numerals identify the year the tag was placed.
Void line: To ensure on-time annual extinguisher inspections, the tag must be replaced every 12 months (see Date with action grid below).
Date with action grid: The month will be hole punched in the monthly date box making the extinguisher valid for one year from the hole-punched date. The Cintas service technician will also hole punch the action they’ve taken, which includes one of the following:
- Serviced: Fire extinguisher has been serviced and is up to date
- New: Fire extinguisher has been recently replaced or refilled
- Gathered and Will Call: These are Cintas-specific terms your service technician will explain if used.
Note: Cintas digitally tracks scheduled services so you have an extra layer of inspection protection when annual inspections are due.
Components on the tag’s back
Company logo: The logo clearly indicates the service provider for accurate record keeping.
Monthly inspection record: You see the date and initials of the Cintas service technician who performed a monthly inspection while they looked for damage, tampering and correct pressure levels.
Disclaimers: Read all disclaimers to help ensure proper use of the fire extinguisher and understand any legal notices.
VIP logo: The Cintas Value Inspection Program allows for a more streamlined and simplified inspection and maintenance process for you and your business. This process includes on-site bar code scanning for proof of our services and in-depth documentation, plus it gives you access to our deep infrastructure with a reliable supply chain of fire extinguisher processing centers. Our industry-leading VIP guarantee is our promise to back up our work with our word.
Tag, you’re it
At first glance, your fire extinguisher tag may seem inconsequential, but it carries vital information that helps confirm the equipment’s reliability and code compliance. By understanding each part of the tag, you can track inspections plus gain peace of mind knowing your fire extinguishers are ready for use in emergencies. For more information, visit our fire division page or contact a representative.
Different states will have different requirements regarding fire extinguisher status and inspection tags. It is recommended that you consult your local fire agency or your current fire protection services provider for more accurate information for your business.