When must a restaurant fire extinguisher be recharged?

Immediately after any discharge, even if partially used.

When should a restaurant fire extinguisher be replaced?

Replace it if it fails hydrostatic testing, shows corrosion, has physical damage, or is outdated.

How often is hydrostatic testing required in NYC?

Hydrostatic testing is required every 5, 6, or 12 years depending on the extinguisher type.

Is a Class K extinguisher required in restaurants?

Yes, when grease-producing cooking equipment is present. FDNY guidance is summarized in the Restaurant Fire Safety Guide (PDF): https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/restaurant-fire-safety-guide.pdf

Can restaurant staff recharge extinguishers themselves?

No. Recharging must be performed by an FDNY-approved service company.

When to Replace or Recharge Restaurant Fire Extinguisher NYC

When to Replace Recharge or Dispose of a Restaurant Fire Extinguisher in NYC for FDNY compliance, inspections, and restaurant fire safety.

Master Fire Mechanical — NYC’s trusted fire protection partner for 50+ years, specializing in restaurant fire suppression, hood & duct systems, Ansul/Kidde/Pyrochem installs, FDNY testing & inspections, 3-RCNY compliance, violations removal, and restaurant fire extinguisher inspection, recharge, hydrostatic testing, and replacement services. Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island & Westchester. 244 5th Avenue New York, NY 10001 (646) 772-1244 | MasterFireMechanical.com.

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Case Study: Manhattan Restaurant Extinguisher Violation Cleared in 24 Hours A Manhattan restaurant received an FDNY violation after an inspection revealed a low-pressure Class K fire extinguisher near the fryer and two ABC extinguishers with expired hydrostatic test dates. The owner believed the units were compliant because they “looked fine.” Master Fire Mechanical performed same-day service: • Replaced the outdated Class K unit • Recharged both ABC extinguishers • Verified hydrostatic testing schedule compliance • Updated inspection tags • Provided full FDNY-ready documentation The violation was cleared within 24 hours, and the restaurant avoided additional penalties or shutdown risk.

When to Replace Recharge or Dispose of a Restaurant Fire Extinguisher? NYC restaurant owners should treat this as a compliance checklist, not a guess. When to Replace Recharge or Dispose of a Restaurant Fire Extinguisher depends on pressure loss, broken seals, discharge history, inspection tags, and hydrostatic test schedules required for FDNY readiness. In practical terms, you should recharge after any discharge (even partial), replace if the unit is damaged, corroded, obsolete, or fails testing, and dispose of units that cannot be safely serviced. When to Replace Recharge or Dispose of a Restaurant Fire Extinguisher also depends on extinguisher type: Class K units near fryers and ABC units in general areas have different risk profiles, but both must remain tagged and serviceable. For more guidance, review your restaurant’s fire safety plan and schedule extinguisher service before inspections. You can also review our related pages: Fire Extinguisher Inspection NYC and Restaurant Fire Suppression Systems to strengthen internal linking and documentation readiness.

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When must a restaurant fire extinguisher be recharged? Immediately after any discharge, even if partially used.
When should a restaurant fire extinguisher be replaced? If it fails hydrostatic testing, shows corrosion, has physical damage, or is outdated.
How often is hydrostatic testing required in NYC? Every 5, 6, or 12 years depending on the extinguisher type.
Is a Class K extinguisher required in restaurants? Yes, when grease-producing cooking equipment is present. The FDNY outlines restaurant fire safety requirements in its official guide available here: FDNY Restaurant Fire Safety Guide (PDF).
Can restaurant staff recharge extinguishers themselves? No. Recharging must be performed by an FDNY-approved service company.

Condition	Required Action	FDNY Rule	Restaurant Risk
Low Pressure Gauge	Recharge or Replace	Must remain fully charged	Failed inspection
Broken Safety Seal	Immediate Recharge	Annual servicing requirement	Violation notice
Expired Hydro Test	Hydro Test or Replace	5–12 year schedule	Unsafe pressure vessel
Corrosion or Damage	Replace Unit	Must be serviceable	Liability exposure
Obsolete Model	Upgrade to Current Code	FDNY compliance standard	Non-compliance risk

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If you operate a restaurant in Manhattan or anywhere in NYC, do not wait for an FDNY violation to service your fire extinguishers. Master Fire Mechanical provides same-day recharge, replacement, hydrostatic testing, and compliant disposal services. Call (646) 772-1244 today to schedule professional service.

Resumen en Español: Los restaurantes en NYC deben recargar los extinguidores después de cualquier uso y reemplazarlos si están dañados o vencidos. Master Fire Mechanical ofrece inspección anual, recarga y pruebas hidrostáticas conforme al FDNY.

No restaurant owner or property manager wants to gamble with FDNY inspections, fire safety violations, or system failures — and that’s why so many NYC businesses rely on Master Fire Mechanical, the trusted fire protection and commercial kitchen fire safety specialists serving New York City from Yonkers to the East Village, and Midtown to Gravesend as well as many other great New York City eating locals including Harlem, Washington Heights.

We understand how stressful it can be to deal with failed inspections, violation notices, emergency shutdowns, and aging fire protection systems — especially when your business, staff, and customers are on the line. Our team works directly with restaurant owners, building managers, and contractors to correct issues quickly, document compliance properly, and keep systems operating safely.

From our Bronx-based operations, Master Fire Mechanical proudly serves all five NYC boroughs — including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island — providing fire suppression systems, hood & duct protection, exhaust system support, sprinkler coordination, inspections, testing, maintenance, and violations removal.

Whether you’re opening a new restaurant, upgrading an existing commercial kitchen, responding to a failed FDNY inspection, or taking over a previously closed space, Master Fire Mechanical is here to protect your operation and keep you compliant.

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