California Code of Regulations › Title 19 - Public Safety › Division 1 - State Fire Marshal › Chapter 3 - Fire Extinguishers › Article 7 - Hydrostatic Testing › Section 594.4 - Testing Procedures

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a)
				  D.O.T. specification cylinders.
Cylinders and cartridges bearing D.O.T. markings shall be
					 retested in accordance with the applicable D.O.T. regulations.
(b) Low Pressure Non-D.O.T. Specification
				  Cylinders.
(1) All valves and internal parts
				  shall be removed and the extinguisher emptied.
EXCEPTION: On some dry chemical and dry powder
					 extinguishers (cartridge-operated), the manufacturer recommends that certain
					 internal parts not be removed.
(2) All traces of extinguishing material
				  shall be removed from the inside of dry chemical and dry powder type shells
				  before filling with the test liquid.
(3) The cartridges, and some cartridge
				  receivers of dry chemical and dry powder extinguishers having externally
				  mounted gas cartridges, shall be removed and a suitable plug inserted into the
				  shell opening at the point of removal.
(4) All hose shall be removed from cylinders
				  prior to hydrostatic testing.
(5)
				  On all wheeled dry chemical, dry powder, halogenated agent, AFFF/FFFP, and
				  carbon dioxide extinguishers equipped with a shutoff nozzle at the outlet end
				  of the hose, the hose (complete with couplings but without the discharge
				  nozzle) shall be removed and tested separately.
(6) On all wheeled stored pressure dry
				  chemical extinguishers, the head assembly is to be removed and be replaced with
				  a suitable test bonnet.
(7) The
				  hose of the hydrostatic test pump is then attached by the flexible connection
				  to the discharge nozzle, hose assembly, test bonnet, or test fitting, as is
				  applicable. In the case of wheeled dry chemical and dry powder extinguishers,
				  procedures and fittings should be those recommended by the
				  manufacturer.
(8) The test liquid
				  supply to the test pump is to be turned on and the extinguisher then filled to
				  the top of its collar. Air or other gases shall not be used as the sole medium
				  for pressure testing.
(9) For
				  extinguishers tested with their cap in place, the cap must be tightened SLOWLY
				  while the test liquid supply remains open. When all of the entrapped air within
				  the shell has been bled off and after test liquid emerges, the cap must be
				  tightened fully.
(10) For
				  extinguisher tested with a test bonnet or fitting, the bonnet or fitting must
				  be tightened FULLY while the water supply remains open. When all of the
				  entrapped air within the shell has been bled off and after test liquid emerges,
				  the vent must be closed tightly.
(11) Pressure is then applied at a
				  rate-of-pressure rise so the test pressure is reached in not less than 30
				  seconds. This test pressure is maintained for at least 30 seconds. Observations
				  are made at this time to note any distortion or leakage of the extinguisher
				  shell.
(12) If no distortion or
				  leakage is noted and if the test pressure has not dropped, the pressure on the
				  extinguisher shall be released. The extinguisher is then considered to have
				  passed the hydrostatic test.
(13)
				  All traces of test liquid and moisture must be removed from all dry chemical,
				  dry powder, and halogenated agent extinguishers by use of a cylinder dryer. If
				  a heated air stream is used, the temperature within the shell must not exceed
				  150° F (66° C).
(14) Any
				  extinguisher shell that fails this hydrostatic test must be destroyed by the
				  owner or at the owner's discretion.