When should you break the tamper seal on an extinguisher?

• A. Only when you intend to use the extinguisher
• B. During routine maintenance
• C. At the annual inspection
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

The tamper seal is a safety signal that the extinguisher has not been opened or discharged since its last service. You should break the seal only when you actually intend to use the extinguisher. This keeps the unit ready for immediate use and shows that it hasn’t been tampered with or accidentally discharged. If you break the seal during routine maintenance or an annual inspection, it would suggest the unit has been opened or used, which isn’t appropriate for a pre-use check and would require recharging and re-sealing afterward. After any use, the extinguisher must be recharged and a new tamper seal installed to restore readiness. In routine checks, you can inspect the gauge and overall condition without breaking the seal. When it’s time to deploy in a real situation, break the seal, then pull the pin and operate the extinguisher following the proper technique.