🔍 Key Concepts

• Portable fire extinguishers maintenance vs. inspection intervals • Special requirements for tank vessels carrying flammable or combustible liquids • Difference between inspection, hydrostatic test, and recharge/servicing intervals

💭 Think About

• Think about why a tank vessel might have stricter or more frequent requirements than a non‑tank vessel. How does the cargo risk affect safety rules? • Consider typical inspection intervals (like monthly checks) versus how often the contents and charge of an extinguisher realistically need full servicing. • Which of these time periods best matches a practical and regulatory interval for changing or refilling the agent in a foam extinguisher, not just checking its condition?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify in 46 CFR the specific section on portable fire extinguishers for tank vessels and look for the term recharged or thoroughly serviced. • Make sure you are not confusing monthly visual inspections with professional recharging/servicing done by a qualified person. • Check that the interval you choose is realistic for maintaining foam effectiveness without being so frequent that it would be operationally impractical for a commercial vessel.