As part of our ongoing compliance with HUD’s National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE), the Housing Authority of Thurston County place special emphasis on the inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishers. This article highlights what landlords, property managers, and owners need to know to stay compliant with NSPIRE and ensure their units are inspection-ready.

Resident-Owned vs. Property-Owned Fire Extinguishers

Resident-Owned Fire Extinguishers:
When residents purchase their own fire extinguishers (e.g., from a hardware store), they are solely responsible for their maintenance. These resident-owned extinguishers are not evaluated during inspections and do not affect NSPIRE compliance.

Property-Owned Fire Extinguishers:
If fire extinguishers are provided by the property—whether in individual units, common areas, or exterior spaces—they must be maintained in accordance with NSPIRE standards. Property owners and agents are responsible for regular maintenance and ensuring these extinguishers are fully functional.

Key Inspection Areas

Charge Levels

Every fire extinguisher has a gauge that should point to the green zone. If it points to the red (indicating discharged, undercharged, or overcharged), it is considered a life-threatening deficiency and must be corrected within 24 hours.

Presence and Condition

  • Missing Extinguishers:
    If a property-provided extinguisher is missing, it must be replaced within 24 hours. This is considered a life-threatening deficiency.
  • Damaged Extinguishers:
    Any visible damage that compromises functionality—such as a severed hose—must be repaired or replaced within 24 hours.

Inspection Tags

  • Rechargeable Extinguishers:
    These must have a current inspection tag updated annually. Missing, illegible, or expired tags are considered a life-threatening deficiency and require 24-hour correction.
  • Disposable Extinguishers:
    These do not require inspection tags but must be checked for the manufacture date. If more than 12 years old, they must be replaced within 24 hours.

Common Issues & How to Avoid Them

  • Relocated Extinguishers:
    Sometimes residents remove extinguishers because they don’t like how they look. However, if a property-owned extinguisher is not in its designated place, it is considered missing—and triggers a 24-hour correction.
  • COVID-19-Related Delays:
    Some properties experienced expired tags during the pandemic due to limited availability of service providers. Regardless of the cause, expired inspection tags must be addressed immediately.

Final Thoughts

Keeping fire extinguishers in proper working order isn’t just about passing inspections—it’s about protecting lives. With clear standards and prompt attention to deficiencies, we can work together to provide safe, compliant, and comfortable homes for the residents.

Posted in Inspections