Section 575.4 - Dry Chemical and Dry Powder Portable Fire Extinguishers(a) Stored Pressure Extinguishers(1) Every 6 years stored pressure dry chemical and dry powder fire extinguishers that require a 12 year hydrostatic test shall be discharged, emptied and subjected to the applicable maintenance procedures as specified by the manufacture's requirements.(2) Stored pressure dry chemical and dry powder extinguishers shall be fully discharged to check the operation of the discharge valve and pressure gauge.(3) The dry chemical agent may be reused provided an approved closed recovery system is used and the agent is stored in a sealed container to prevent contamination.(4) Prior to reuse, the dry chemical or dry powder agent shall be thoroughly checked to insure: (A) Appropriate type agent.(B) Agent is not contaminated.(C) Agent is in a free flowing powdery condition.(5) Where doubt exists with respect to the type, contamination, or condition of the dry chemical or dry powder agent, the agent shall be discarded.(b) Cartridge and Cylinder Operated Extinguishers. (1) At the time of annual maintenance, cartridge and cylinder operated dry chemical and dry powder fire extinguishers shall be emptied.(2) Prior to reuse, the dry chemical or dry powder agent shall be thoroughly checked to insure: (A) Appropriate type agent.(B) Agent is not contaminated.(C) Agent is in a free flowing powdery condition.(3) Where doubt exists with respect to the type, contamination, or condition of the dry chemical or dry powder agent, the agent shall be discarded.(4) Cartridges of cartridge operated portable fire extinguishers shall be replaced when the loss of weight as compared with the original weight as stamped on the cartridge is equal to or more than that as permitted in instructions on the label.(5) Cartridges of every cartridge-operated extinguisher shall be weighed annually in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, on an accurate scale as defined in Section 557.1(b). Straight faced spring scales (i.e. fish scales) shall not be used.(6) Replacement cartridges for cartridge operated extinguishers shall conform to the manufacturer's requirements.(7) Cylinders of wheeled cylinder operated dry chemical extinguishers shall maintain a pressure of not less than 1,500 P.S.I. Wheeled pressurized dry chemical extinguishers shall maintain proper expelling pressure as indicated on the pressure gauge.(c) Multipurpose dry chemicals shall not be mixed with alkaline-based dry chemicals.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 19, § 575.4
1. New section filed 3-4-92; operative 4-3-92 (Register 92, No. 15).
2. Repealer and new section filed 12-27-2001; operative 1-1-2002 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2001, No. 52).
3. Amendment of subsection (a)(1) filed 11-21-2002; operative 1-1-2003 (Register 2002, No. 47).
4. Change without regulatory effect adding subsection (b)(7) filed 7-25-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 30).
5. Amendment of subsection (b)(5) filed 2-28-2007; operative 3-30-2007 (Register 2007, No. 9). Note: Authority cited: Section 13160, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 13160 and 13177, Health and Safety Code.
1. New section filed 3-4-92; operative 4-3-92 (Register 92, No. 15).
2. Repealer and new section filed 12-27-2001; operative 1-1-2002 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2001, No. 52).
3. Amendment of subsection (a)(1) filed 11-21-2002; operative 1-1-2003 (Register 2002, No. 47).
4. Change without regulatory effect adding subsection (b)(7) filed 7-25-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 30).
5. Amendment of subsection (b)(5) filed 2-28-2007; operative 3-30-2007 (Register 2007, No. 9).