Question:
I have a great concern about a fire extinguisher that I was issued in my apartment. I recently had a kitchen fire and was unable to immediately put out the fire in my kitchen because I could not break the cord/tie which was on the extinguisher. When I checked my neighbors apartments, their extinguisher was set up differently then my own. I did recently find another fire extinguisher that was similar to the one I used and I want to make sure that this isn't a code violation and a hazard to someone else.

The fire extinguisher had a pin through the handle. The pin was connected to the fire extinguisher with a plastic cord/tie that dangled. (If the pin was pulled out it would dangle by the cord). A second piece of plastic cord/tie was connected to the fire extinguisher. This plastic cord went through the pin, around the handle, looped through a metal eye-hook of some sort and connected back to the begin of the cord/tie. (The pin could not be pulled with this cord connected. The cord would need to be broken in order to have the pin removed.)

Is the first cord/tie that connected the pin to the extinguisher (the one that dangles) considered the cord that holds the pin in (tamper seal) or is the second piece of plastic that went through the pin and the handle considered the cord that holds the pin in (tamper seal)?

Does anyone know the NFPA 10 code? What does it state about these ties/cords? Any help would be appreciated.

Answer: If you do not have to break it to operate the extinguisher it is not a tamper seal. The seal is there to assist people inspecting the extinguisher by showing that the pin has not been pulled. If the seal is broken the extinguisher should be inspected carefully to see if it has been partially discharged. In the case of dry chemical or dry powder extinguishers partial discharge will almost always lead to a loss of pressure making the remaining chemical useless. The first cord you referred to sounds like it is the pin tether. Its purpose is to prevent loss of the pin during operation.

The material below is taken from NFPA standard #10.

4-3 Inspection.

4-3.1* Frequency.

Fire extinguishers shall be inspected when initially placed in service and thereafter at approximately 30-day intervals. Fire extinguishers shall be inspected at more frequent intervals when circumstances require.

4-3.2* Procedures.

Periodic inspection of fire extinguishers shall include a check of at least the following items:

(a) Located in designated place.

(b) No obstruction to access or visibility.

(c) Operating instructions on nameplate legible and facing outward.

(d)* Safety seals and tamper indicators not broken or missing.

(e) Fullness determined by weighing or “hefting.”

(f) Examined for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle.

(g) Pressure gauge reading or indicator in the operable range or position.

(h) For wheeled units, the condition of the tires, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle checked.