When is it required for carbon dioxide fire...

🔍 Key Concepts

• CO₂ (carbon dioxide) portable extinguisher maintenance requirements under 46 CFR Subchapter W – Lifesaving Appliances and Fire Protection Equipment (verify specific current section for your vessel type) • Difference between inspection, testing, and recharging of fire extinguishers • What event actually changes the contents/pressure of a CO₂ extinguisher vs. what is just a visual/tamper indication

💭 Think About

• Which of these answer choices describes a situation where CO₂ has actually been lost from the cylinder, not just time passing or a routine event? • Think about the purpose of a weight check on a CO₂ extinguisher: what does a significant loss in weight tell you about the condition of the cylinder? • Does breaking the trigger seal by itself mean CO₂ has been discharged, or could it be broken for another reason (e.g., tampering or inspection)? How does that compare to a measurable loss of contents?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify what percentage of weight loss (if any) the regulations use as a criterion for recharging portable extinguishers • Confirm whether the CFR uses a time-based requirement (e.g., annually) specifically for recharging CO₂ bottles, or for inspecting/servicing them instead • Check if the rules distinguish between tamper seals and actual discharge or loss of agent when deciding to recharge

When is it required for carbon dioxide fire extinguishers to be recharged?

At least once each year.

Each time the vessel dry-docks.

When the charged weight decreases by 10%.

When the trigger seal has been broken.

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer