jmcquown wrote:
>
> "James Silverton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > ChattyCathy wrote on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:53:47 +0200:
> >
> >> http://www.recfoodcooking.com
> >
> >> Thanks go to Andy for this one.
> >> --
> >> Cheers
> >> Chatty Cathy
> >
> > I guess my "yes" answer to having one is a little inexact. The
> > extinguisher is on the garage wall just near the door that leads to the
> > kitchen. Can you test-fire extinguishers? I know how to use mine but I've
> > lost the instructions about refilling etc. Mine has a pressure guage that
> > currently indicates an allegedly adequate charge.
> >
> > --
> >
> > James Silverton
> > Potomac, Maryland
> >
> > Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
>
> I just make sure the gauge reads fully pressurized. (Actually back home the
> apartment manager sends someone around to check it the same time they change
> out the smoke alarm batteries. Mom didn't have one anywhere near her
> kitchen until I got here. Ditto the gauge thing. I've never (knock on
> wood) had to use either one.
>
> Jill

No, you can not test fire a fire extinguisher. If you test fire it,
besides the obvious loss of capacity, the valve will not fully seal and
the remaining pressure will leak down to zero in short order.

Large fire extinguishers in commercial service do get annual inspections
and after some number of years they are serviced and recharged. Home
sized fire extinguishers are disposable and if the gauge reads below the
green you dispose of them and buy new ones.