Halon 1211 extinguishers should be inspected from time to time, the pressure gauge should be visually checked to verify adequate pressure, the nozzle should be visually checked to be sure there are no obstructions, and the cylinder should be weighed to meet the manufacturer’s weight requirement. Halon 1211 extinguishers requires a six year tear down maintenance and a 12 year hydrostatic test by a licensed fire service professional, which can be very expensive.
Halon 1211/1301 blend extinguishers on the other hand do not require the six year maintenance, hydrostatic testing, or recharging since they are classified as non rechargeable units. The units should be visually inspected to ensure the extinguisher is fully charged and operable. The units should be weighed from time to time to see if the weight is within the limits indicated on the label. See name plate instructions for further details. The shelf life of non rechargeable units is 12 years from the date of manufacture.
