What items are typically checked during a monthly extinguisher inspection?

• A. Only visible.
• B. The weight of the extinguisher.
• C. Only gauge and color.
• D. Accessibility, unobstructed location, tamper seal, pressure gauge in green, nozzle and hose clear, tag up-to-date, and no physical damage.

Answer: (D)

Monthly extinguisher inspections verify that the unit is ready to use and accessible when needed. The checks cover both physical condition and readiness: it must be in a reachable, unobstructed location so you can grab it quickly; the tamper seal should be intact to confirm the unit hasn’t been used or altered; the pressure gauge should show a reading in the green zone to indicate proper charge; the nozzle and hose must be clear of obstructions so the discharge path is unobstructed; the inspection tag should be up-to-date to show the latest check was completed; and there should be no visible damage to the cylinder or hardware.

These elements together ensure the extinguisher will function correctly in an emergency and hasn’t been moved, damaged, or tampered with. Options that only consider visibility, or only the gauge and color, or ignore the seal, tagging, or physical condition, don’t fully address what’s needed to guarantee readiness.