Fire extinguishers are one of those things most people don’t think about—until they need them. Whether you manage a restaurant in Austin, a warehouse in San Antonio, or an office building in Waco, your fire protection equipment is the first line of defense against disaster. Yet, there are still a lot of misconceptions out there about how fire extinguishers work, how often they need inspection, and when they should be replaced.

At Longhorn Fire and Safety, we’ve been inspecting, servicing, and recharging fire extinguishers across Central Texas since 2006. We’ve seen almost every type of misunderstanding about fire codes and safety standards. So today, we’re setting the record straight on a few of the biggest fire safety myths that could end up costing you time, money, and even lives.

🔥 Myth #1: You have to replace your fire extinguishers every year.

This is one of the most common myths we hear—and it’s completely false. You do not need to buy new fire extinguishers every year. What you do need is an annual inspection performed by a licensed professional.

Just like a vehicle inspection keeps your car safe to drive, a fire extinguisher inspection ensures that your equipment is ready to perform in an emergency. During an annual inspection, a trained technician checks pressure levels, hose condition, pull pins, tamper seals, and the overall integrity of the cylinder.

If your extinguisher passes this check, it can stay in service another year.

At Longhorn Fire and Safety, we specialize in on-site fire extinguisher inspection services across Austin, San Antonio, and Waco—meaning we come to you, inspect your extinguishers, and make sure you’re compliant with NFPA 10 and Texas state fire codes.

So no, you don’t need to replace your extinguishers yearly—just maintain them properly with a qualified inspection.

💧 Myth #2: Fire extinguishers must be replaced every 5, 6, or 12 years.

Another half-truth that often leads businesses to overspend. It’s true that extinguishers require deeper maintenance at specific intervals—known as 5-year and 12-year service tests—but that doesn’t mean you have to replace them entirely.

Many ABC Dry Chemical fire extinguishers, along with CO₂, Halotron, and water-type units, can be recharged, hydrostatically tested, and returned to service.

Unfortunately, a lot of companies in Central Texas don’t actually service extinguishers anymore—they only sell new ones. This leads to unnecessary waste and inflated costs.

At Longhorn Fire and Safety, we take a different approach. We’re one of the few fire extinguisher companies in the Austin area that still performs on-site servicing and recharging, saving our customers up to 50% compared to replacement.

We believe in doing what’s right—not what makes the biggest sale. When you work with our licensed technicians, you’ll always get an honest assessment and clear explanation of your options.

⚡ Myth #3: As long as the gauge shows “green,” your extinguisher is fine.

It’s true that the gauge provides a quick check of pressure, but it’s not a guarantee that your extinguisher will work properly in a real fire.

Even if the needle is in the green, issues like:

  • A clogged discharge hose
  • A cracked or corroded cylinder
  • A damaged nozzle
  • A broken pull pin or missing tamper seal

can make your extinguisher useless when it matters most.

That’s why the NFPA requires that all portable extinguishers receive a professional inspection every 12 months and a record tag showing the date, company name, and technician ID.

If your extinguisher hasn’t been inspected within the last year—or the tag is missing—it’s considered non-compliant. In Texas, that can lead to failed fire marshal inspections or even fines for commercial properties.

🏢 Myth #4: Any employee can inspect or tag a fire extinguisher.

This one could get your business into serious trouble. Only state-licensed fire extinguisher technicians can perform official inspections and apply tags in Texas.

While your team can do monthly visual checks (verifying placement, accessibility, and visible damage), only a certified professional can legally conduct an annual inspection or perform maintenance like recharging or hydrostatic testing.

At Longhorn Fire and Safety, all our technicians hold current Texas State Fire Marshal licenses and complete continuous training to stay up to date on the latest NFPA and OSHA standards. We also provide on-site fire extinguisher training classes in the Austin and San Antonio areas so your staff knows exactly how to use their equipment safely.

🧯 Myth #5: Fire extinguishers are “one size fits all.”

If you think one extinguisher type covers every kind of fire, think again. Fires are classified into categories—A, B, C, D, and K—depending on what’s burning:

  • Class A: Wood, paper, trash, fabric
  • Class B: Flammable liquids like gasoline or grease
  • Class C: Electrical fires
  • Class D: Combustible metals (industrial environments)
  • Class K: Cooking oils and fats (kitchens, restaurants)

An ABC extinguisher is versatile and covers most home and office situations, but not all. For example, a restaurant kitchen should have a Class K unit nearby, and an industrial machine shop might require Class D extinguishers for metal shavings.

At Longhorn Fire and Safety, we sell, service, and recharge all types of fire extinguishers for commercial and industrial use, including ABC, CO₂, Halotron, K-Class, and water-type models. We’ll help you match the right extinguisher to your exact environment so you’re always protected.

🚒 Why Austin Business Owners Trust Longhorn Fire and Safety

Since 2006, Longhorn Fire and Safety has been keeping Central Texas safe—from downtown Austin to Round Rock, San Marcos, New Braunfels, and San Antonio.

With over 450 five-star Google reviews, we’ve built our reputation on honesty, reliability, and fast service. Whether you manage an apartment complex, manufacturing plant, school, or construction site, we make compliance simple and affordable.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Same-day / next-day service available
  • #1 in On-Site Fire Extinguisher Inspection Services
  • We recharge and service existing extinguishers (saving you 50% over replacement)
  • On-site employee training and safety education
  • Commercial and industrial extinguisher sales

When it comes to fire protection, you shouldn’t have to choose between safety and affordability. That’s why we focus on what matters—helping you stay compliant and protected without the upsell.

🧠 Knowledge Saves Lives

At the end of the day, fire safety isn’t about passing inspections—it’s about being prepared when the unthinkable happens. Every properly serviced extinguisher represents peace of mind for you, your employees, and your family.

Don’t let misinformation or shady sales tactics cost you thousands of dollars. Trust the professionals who have been protecting Austin and the surrounding areas for nearly two decades.

If your extinguishers are due for their annual inspection—or you’re not sure when they were last serviced—schedule a visit today. We’ll inspect, tag, recharge, or replace what’s needed, and make sure your property meets every local and state fire code.

Stay Safe with Longhorn Fire and Safety

📍 Serving: Austin • San Antonio • Waco • Round Rock • San Marcos • Georgetown • Temple
💬 Services: Fire extinguisher inspection, servicing, recharging, hydrotesting, and sales
⚡ Contact us: www.longhornfireandsafety.com/contact-us/
📞 Call us: (512) 258-7233
🏆 Trusted by tens of thousands of Central Texas homeowners and businesses since 2006

Because when it comes to fire protection, doing it right isn’t just our job—it’s our duty.