If you’ve ever noticed a colored ring around the neck of a fire extinguisher, just below the handle, you’ve spotted a verification of service collar. It’s not decorative—it’s a critical compliance feature under Canadian fire safety standards, including the National Fire Code of Canada (NFC) and CAN/ULC-S532, which regulate servicing agencies and procedures.
What Is a Service Collar?
A service collar is installed whenever the extinguisher’s valve is removed for internal maintenance or recharging. This happens during major service intervals such as:
- 6-year teardown for stored-pressure extinguishers.
- 12-year hydrostatic testing for most dry chemical units.
The collar provides tamper-proof evidence that the extinguisher was properly disassembled and serviced. It’s punched with the month and year of service, making compliance easy to verify during inspections. If a collar is missing where one should be, it’s a red flag for inspectors and could result in non-compliance.
Why Are Collars Required in Canada?
Before collars were mandated, some service providers skipped internal maintenance and falsely tagged extinguishers as “serviced.” This posed serious safety risks. Today, collars are required under NFPA 10 and referenced by Canadian codes to ensure accountability. They cannot be removed without disassembling the valve, preventing shortcuts.
Inspection & Maintenance Intervals in Canada
Fire extinguishers are not “install and forget” devices—they require regular checks under the National Fire Code of Canada and provincial fire codes (e.g., BC Fire Code, Alberta Fire Code). Here’s what’s required:
1. Monthly Visual Inspection
Performed by the owner or designated staff:
- Confirm the extinguisher is visible and accessible.
- Check the pressure gauge is in the operable range.
- Ensure the safety pin and tamper seal are intact.
- Look for corrosion, damage, or leakage.
- Verify signage and instructions are legible.
Document these checks in a log.
2. Annual Maintenance
A CAN/ULC-S532 certified technician must:
- Inspect internal components.
- Verify operability and recharge if needed.
- Replace seals and check extinguishing agent.
Each extinguisher gets a tag showing the date and technician’s details.
3. Six-Year Internal Maintenance
Stored-pressure extinguishers requiring a 12-year hydrostatic test must:
- Be completely emptied.
- Disassembled for internal inspection.
- Refilled and repressurized.
At this point, the service collar is installed to verify compliance. Some jurisdictions require the servicing facility to meet certain standards. Our facilities are certified by Intertek as part of their FERL (Fire Extinguisher Recharge Locations Program) program to allow us to service all areas we operate in.
4. Hydrostatic Testing
Performed every 12 years for most dry chemical extinguishers (and every 5 years for CO₂, Class K, and water units):
- Cylinders are pressure-tested for structural integrity.
- After reassembly, a new collar is added and date-punched.
Markings & Compliance
In addition to collars, extinguishers in Canada must have:
- Inspection tags for monthly and annual checks.
- ULC certification labels (e.g., CAN/ULC-S504 for extinguisher rating).
- Punch marks on collars for service dates.
These markings create a clear maintenance history, ensuring compliance with provincial fire codes and the NFC.
Why This Matters
A missing or incorrect collar can indicate improper servicing, leaving you with a non-functional extinguisher during an emergency. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting lives and property.
Need Fire Extinguisher Service?
At Nexus Fire & Safety Ltd., we provide:
- NFPA 10 and CAN/ULC-S532 compliant inspections.
- Intertek Certified testing facilities
- Proper installation of service collars.
- Accurate tagging and recordkeeping.
Don’t wait until an emergency to find out your extinguisher isn’t ready.
Contact us today to schedule your inspection and keep your facility safe and compliant.
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