Calif. Public Agencies Can Save Money Under New Fire Extinguisher Regulations

At a time when government budgets throughout California are stretched tighter than they have been in decades, Keenan & Associates (www.keenanassoc.com), is advising public agencies how to save thousands of dollars following a recent modification to Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations.

Under the new regulations, most portable stored pressure dry chemical or dry powder fire extinguishers are no longer required to be annually discharged, refilled and pressurized. Although annual maintenance and monthly inspections of all fire extinguishers is still mandatory, the new regulations now specify that the complete discharging and refilling of most fire extinguishers need only take place every six years.

“This is a significant development for cash-starved California agencies since many of them can now reduce their facilities management expenses at a time when any possible savings are badly needed,” David Struthers, director of risk management services of Torrance, Calif.-based Keenan & Associates, remarked. “For example, one of our clients – a major school district in Northern California – has determined that this regulatory change will allow them to save $200,000 over the next five years.”

Detailed information regarding the new regulations and licensing requirements for fire extinguishers are available from the Office of the State Fire Marshall’s Web site at http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/fireextinguisher.html.