1910.157(e)(4): Six-Year Maintenance for Dry Chemical Extinguishers
Employers must make sure stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test are emptied and maintained every 6 years. Non-refillable disposable dry chemical extinguishers are exempt, and the 6-year clock restarts when recharging or hydrostatic testing is done.
Key takeaways
- 1910.157(e)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $3,398 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PA (2), OR (1), AL (1).
- Related part: 1910.157(e) Inspection, maintenance and testing (2,729 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.157(e)(4) is one requirement inside 1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart L). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(4) The employer shall assure that stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test are emptied and subjected to applicable maintenance procedures every 6 years. Dry chemical extinguishers having non-refillable disposable containers are exempt from this requirement. When recharging or hydrostatic testing is performed, the 6-year requirement begins from that date. 12 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.157.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: PA (2), OR (1), AL (1), NY (1), PR (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| EYNON FURNITURE OUTLET INC. | PITTSTON, PA | $2,648 |
| 109595 - FREEWAY TRANSFER INC | BURNSVILLE, MN | $750 |
| USDA APHIS WILDLIFE SERVICES | SALEM, OR | $0 |
| PRECISION STEEL, INC. | ABBEVILLE, AL | $0 |
| NYSPR&HP MARY ISLAND STATE PARK | CLAYTON, NY | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.157(e)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.157(e)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.157(e) Inspection, maintenance and testing 2,729 citations
- 1910.157(e)(2) 1,418 citations
- 1910.157(e)(3) 1,178 citations
- 1910.157(e)(1) 117 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How often must stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers be emptied and maintained?
Every 6 years, for those that require a 12-year hydrostatic test.
Are disposable extinguishers included?
No. Dry chemical extinguishers with non-refillable disposable containers are exempt.
When does the 6-year period start?
From the date recharging or hydrostatic testing is performed.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.157 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.