🔍 Key Concepts

• Coast Guard inspection procedures for portable fire extinguishers • Difference between CO₂ (carbon dioxide) extinguishers and stored‑pressure extinguishers • Typical methods of checking contents and serviceability without wasting the agent

💭 Think About

• If an inspector needs to verify that a CO₂ extinguisher is still full and usable, what is the most practical way to do that on many units during one inspection? • Think about what would happen to the vessel’s fire protection if every extinguisher were emptied or removed at once during an inspection. • How are CO₂ extinguishers usually constructed differently from standard dry‑chemical extinguishers with pressure gauges?

✅ Before You Answer

• Remember that most CO₂ portables do NOT have pressure gauges; consider what that means for ‘checking pressure loss’. • Consider whether it’s realistic or required for every unit to be discharged or sent ashore during a routine inspection. • Think about which method allows the Coast Guard to quickly confirm the correct amount of agent is still in the cylinder without taking it out of service.