The Contractor shall inspect, test, provide maintenance, recharge and replace fire extinguishers as directed by the VDOT Contract Administrator. All work shall be in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards OSHA and the National Fire Protection Associations, NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, and VDOT Office of Safety, Security, & Emergency Management Safety Directive "Fire Prevention and Protection SD #6.001" (Agency Requirements for Portable Fire Extinguishers), specifically sections 5.5 and 5.6 as listed below. 5.5 Fire Extinguisher Maintenance All fire extinguishers must receive an annual maintenance inspection with a record being retained showing the date of the inspection and the individual or company performing the check. This record shall be retained for one year after the last entry or for the life of the extinguisher shell, whichever is less, and shall be available for review upon request. The annual maintenance check shall be performed by a qualified individual or company trained in maintenance procedures for fire extinguishers. In addition to the annual maintenance check, dry chemical extinguishers must undergo a six-year maintenance check where the extinguishing agent is replaced along with other worn or damaged parts, and an internal inspection of the shell is performed. This maintenance check must be performed by a qualified technician. 5.6 Hydrostatic Testing Fire extinguishers must be hydrostatically tested in accordance with the schedules established by OSHA in 1910.157(f) and Table L-1. Fire extinguishers are often replaced in lieu of hydrostatic testing because of cost efficiency.
