Hydrostatic test records for fire extinguishers

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

December 30, 1983

Gerald M. Brown
Lieutenant-Fire Department
Buick Motor Division
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear LT. Brown:

This is in response to your letter of December 5, 1983, requesting a clarification of 29 CFR 157(f)(16).

For the clarification requested, 29 CFR 157(f)(16) pertinently states: "Such evidence shall include the date of test, the test pressure used, and the person or agency performing the test." To be complete, your computer printout for the stored pressure water and dry chemical extinguishers lacks, in its listing, the test pressure used and person or agency performing the test. However, if evidence is otherwise maintained for these two non-listed items, then the evidence would be complete as required by 29 CFR 157(f)(16).

For your carbon dioxide extinguishers tested by a contract vendor, the employer shall have the date of test, the test pressure used and the person or agency performing the test for each of the carbon dioxide extinguishers.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
John F. Miles, Jr., Director
Directorate of Field Operations