What is the validity period of a vehicle fire extinguisher?
2 Answers
Vehicle carbon dioxide fire extinguishers have a validity period of 12 years; dry powder fire extinguishers are valid for 10 years; water-based fire extinguishers have a validity period of 6 years. However, the specific duration should be checked according to the markings on the vehicle fire extinguisher, as production standards vary by manufacturer. Vehicle fire extinguishers contain many chemical substances, which can deteriorate over time, not only losing their fire-extinguishing effectiveness but also corroding the container, leading to a certain risk of explosion during use. Vehicle fire extinguishers are specifically designed for automotive fire suppression and include two main types: non-pressurized suspended ultra-fine dry powder automatic fire extinguishing devices for vehicles, and miniature vehicle pressurized suspended ultra-fine dry powder automatic fire extinguishing devices.
As an ordinary person who commutes by car frequently, I think this topic is extremely important. The service life of a car fire extinguisher is about 10 years, which is roughly the case for dry powder or foam types. But you have to check it yourself to be sure—open the extinguisher and look at the production date on the label to calculate its lifespan. I also check the pressure gauge needle every six months to ensure it's in the green zone. If the pressure is low, it indicates reduced performance, and you should replace it immediately. Once, I neglected to check and found out it had expired during a vehicle inspection. I spent some money to get a new one, which saved me a lot of hassle. Safe driving means not overlooking even the smallest details. Regular maintenance of the fire extinguisher can prevent major troubles, especially on the highway.
