Fire extinguisher recharge and refill
A rechargeable fire extinguisher must be recharged after any use, even a short burst, and whenever an inspection finds it low. OSHA requires workplace extinguishers to be kept fully charged, and in Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and New Jersey the recharge must be done by a state licensed or permitted company. Single unit prices for a 5 lb ABC recharge run from $12.50 to $32 in the price lists and public bids below.
When an extinguisher must be recharged
OSHA requires employers to keep portable fire extinguishers fully charged, working and in their assigned places at all times except while they are being used.
The University of Colorado fire and life safety group, summarizing the national extinguisher standard, says recharging is required after every use and whenever an inspection or maintenance visit finds the need.
The Prosper, Texas fire department warns that a dry chemical extinguisher will usually not hold its charge after a partial use. Its gauge may look normal right after use and drop to empty later, because powder in the valve seals lets the propellant leak out. It says any used BC or ABC extinguisher must be serviced and recharged.
The same Prosper guidance says carbon dioxide (CO2) and halon extinguishers will generally hold pressure after a slight discharge, but still advises keeping a full unit in place.
When an extinguisher leaves the building for recharging, OSHA requires the employer to provide equal protection while it is gone. Minnesota Department of Health guidance says the stand-in unit should suit the hazard and carry at least the same rating.
Sources: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4); University of Colorado Boulder Fire and Life Safety, extinguisher ITM periods; Prosper Fire Rescue (TX), How to Dispose of Old Fire Extinguishers; Minnesota Department of Health, Maintenance and Testing of Portable Fire Extinguishers
Rechargeable or disposable
Not every extinguisher can be refilled. Minnesota Department of Health guidance explains how to spot a nonrechargeable unit by its label, and says these units must come out of service 12 years after they were made instead of getting a hydrostatic test.
OSHA exempts dry chemical extinguishers with nonrefillable disposable containers from the 6-year emptying and maintenance rule. A recharge also restarts the 6-year clock on a rechargeable stored pressure unit.
The Longview, Texas fire department says most extinguishers are one-time use and only some models are rechargeable. Ultra Fire Safety, a service company, notes that some extinguishers sold in stores are disposable and must be replaced rather than serviced.
If you are not sure which kind you have, the Prosper fire department suggests asking a fire safety equipment dealer whether the unit can be recharged.
Sources: Minnesota Department of Health, Maintenance and Testing of Portable Fire Extinguishers; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(e)(4); Longview Fire Department (TX), Fire Extinguisher Disposal; Ultra Fire Safety, Services and Pricing FAQ; Prosper Fire Rescue (TX), How to Dispose of Old Fire Extinguishers
Who may recharge an extinguisher
Many states license the companies and technicians who service portable extinguishers, and recharging counts as servicing. These are the rules in states on this site where the official page could be read:
- Oklahoma: the Fire Extinguisher Licensing Act requires anyone who services or inspects fire extinguishers to hold a state license (59 O.S. 1820.10). New individual licensees must show ICC-NAFED certification and pass the state rules and regulations test at an Oklahoma CareerTech center.
- Oklahoma fees: a portable extinguisher company license is $250 and a technician license is $75.
- Texas: a company that services portable extinguishers needs a Fire Extinguisher Certificate of Registration from the State Fire Marshal's Office, and the person doing the work needs a license that covers portable extinguishers, such as the Type B (FEL-B).
- Utah: no person may service a portable extinguisher without a State Fire Marshal certificate of registration, and the business needs a license. The written exam covers the statute, rule R710-1 and NFPA 10 (2018 edition).
- New Jersey: since July 1, 2003 a contractor needs a Division of Fire Safety business permit to install, repair, maintain or test fire protection equipment. A Portable Fire Extinguisher Contractor permit covers installing, servicing, repairing, inspecting and maintaining portable extinguishers. Owners doing their own work in a one or two family home they live in are exempt.
Sources: Oklahoma Attorney General opinion 2025-18A (State Fire Marshal action); Oklahoma State Fire Marshal, Fire Extinguisher Industry; Oklahoma State Fire Marshal, Fire Extinguisher Licensing Act Fact Sheet; Texas Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal's Office, extinguisher licensing; Utah State Fire Marshal, Fire Extinguishers licensing; New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Overview of the Fire Protection Contractor Certification Program; New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Fire Protection Equipment Contractor business permit application
Recharge prices published by service companies
These are prices fire equipment companies print on their own websites or price sheets. Most quote per extinguisher by size and agent. Several add a trip or service call charge, so ask for the total for your unit count.
| Business | Location | Extinguisher | Published recharge price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Flare, Inc. | Albuquerque, NM | 2.5 lb ABC | $9.00 |
| Safety Flare, Inc. | Albuquerque, NM | 5 lb ABC | $12.50 |
| Safety Flare, Inc. | Albuquerque, NM | 10 lb ABC | $14.50 |
| Safety Flare, Inc. | Albuquerque, NM | 5 lb CO2 | $20.75 |
| Safety Flare, Inc. | Albuquerque, NM | 10 lb CO2 | $26.40 |
| Safety Flare, Inc. | Albuquerque, NM | Class K | $92.50 |
| America's Fire Shield (fire-extinguisher.net) | Online booking, multiple cities | 5 lb ABC | $29.00 |
| America's Fire Shield (fire-extinguisher.net) | Online booking, multiple cities | 10 lb ABC | $41.00 |
| Serviced Fire Equipment | St. Petersburg, FL | 2.5 lb ABC (walk-in) | $25 |
| Serviced Fire Equipment | St. Petersburg, FL | Class K (walk-in) | $195 |
| A&J Fire Extinguisher | Brooklyn, NY | ABC, 5 to 20 lb | $15 to $35 |
| A&J Fire Extinguisher | Brooklyn, NY | CO2 | $35 to $75 |
| A&J Fire Extinguisher | Brooklyn, NY | Class K | $45 to $85 |
| M&M Fire Extinguishers | Long Island, NY | 5 or 10 lb ABC | $20 to $50 |
| M&M Fire Extinguishers | Long Island, NY | 10 lb CO2 | $30 to $70 |
| FireEx Services | Minnesota (651 area code) | 6-year maintenance, includes emptying and recharging | $15 per unit plus $90 trip charge |
| Connected Fire Safety Services | Chicago, IL | 5 lb ABC swapped for a recertified unit | $72.00 |
Sources: Safety Flare, Inc., Fire Extinguisher Service Pricing (PDF); Safety Flare, Inc., home page (location); America's Fire Shield, Fire Extinguisher Recharge 5LB ABC; America's Fire Shield, Fire Extinguisher Recharge 10LB ABC; Serviced Fire Equipment, Fire Extinguisher Recharge; A&J Fire Extinguisher, Fire Extinguisher Recharge and Refill Service NYC; M&M Fire Extinguishers, Cost to Recharge Fire Extinguisher (2026 pricing); FireEx Services, Services Pricing; Connected Fire Safety Services (Chicago), Pricing Sheet
Recharge prices in public bids and contracts
Cities, counties and universities that buy extinguisher service in bulk publish the unit prices vendors bid. These are contract prices for large fleets, so a single business may pay more.
| Buyer | Vendor | Item | Unit price |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Tulsa, OK (TAC 181H, opened July 30, 2026) | Marmic Fire & Safety Co., Inc. | 5 lb ABC recharge | $16.00 |
| City of Tulsa, OK (TAC 181H, opened July 30, 2026) | Marmic Fire & Safety Co., Inc. | 10 lb ABC recharge | $23.00 |
| City of San Antonio, TX (fire department, opened July 2, 2025) | First in Smoke Detector Service LLC, DBA Hotshot Hydro, Seguin, TX | ABC recharge | $40.00 |
| City of San Antonio, TX (fire department, opened July 2, 2025) | First in Smoke Detector Service LLC, DBA Hotshot Hydro, Seguin, TX | CO2 recharge | $65.00 |
| Chatham County, GA (price sheet 25-0153-3) | Armor Fire Protection, LLC, Garden City, GA | 5 lb ABC recharge | $32.00 |
| Chatham County, GA (price sheet 25-0153-3) | Armor Fire Protection, LLC, Garden City, GA | 20 lb CO2 recharge | $160.00 |
| Garrett County, MD (contract 23-1005-F) | Fire Protection Products, Inc. | 5 lb ABC recharge | $13.50 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison (contract 21-5105) | Summit Fire Protection | CO2 recharge | $22.00 |
Sources: City of Tulsa Purchasing, bid summary TAC 181H; City of San Antonio, draft bid tabulation IFB 5894; Chatham County Purchasing, price sheet 25-0153-3; Garrett County, contract 23-1005-F price schedule; UW-Madison Purchasing, contract 21-5105 pricing
Sources and dates
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4), read October 8, 2026https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.157
- University of Colorado Boulder Fire and Life Safety, extinguisher ITM periods, read October 8, 2026https://www.colorado.edu/firelifesafety/sites/default/files/attached-files/fireextinginspmainttest_0.pdf
- Prosper Fire Rescue (TX), How to Dispose of Old Fire Extinguishers, read October 8, 2026https://prospertx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/647/How-to-Dispose-of-a-Fire-Extinguisher-PDF
- Minnesota Department of Health, Maintenance and Testing of Portable Fire Extinguishers, read October 8, 2026https://www.health.mn.gov/facilities/regulation/engineering/lscfireext24.pdf
- Longview Fire Department (TX), Fire Extinguisher Disposal, read October 8, 2026https://longviewtexas.gov/4462/Fire-Extinguisher-Disposal
- Ultra Fire Safety, Services and Pricing FAQ, read October 8, 2026https://ultrafiresafety.com/pages/services-pricing
- Oklahoma Attorney General opinion 2025-18A (State Fire Marshal action), read October 8, 2026https://oklahoma.gov/oag/opinions/board-supervisory-letters/2025/2025-18a.html
- Oklahoma State Fire Marshal, Fire Extinguisher Industry, read October 8, 2026https://oklahoma.gov/fire/industries/fire-extinguisher-industry.html
- Oklahoma State Fire Marshal, Fire Extinguisher Licensing Act Fact Sheet, read October 8, 2026https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/fire/documents/licensing-files/10-23-25%20FX%20Licensing%20Facts.pdf
- Texas Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal's Office, extinguisher licensing, read October 8, 2026https://www.tdi.texas.gov/fire/information-fire-extinguisher-registration-license-test.html
- Utah State Fire Marshal, Fire Extinguishers licensing, read October 8, 2026https://firemarshal.utah.gov/licensing-and-certification/fire-extinguishers/
- New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Overview of the Fire Protection Contractor Certification Program, read October 8, 2026https://nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/pdf/overviewcceunit.pdf
- New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Fire Protection Equipment Contractor business permit application, read October 8, 2026https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/pdf/businesspermit.pdf
- Safety Flare, Inc., Fire Extinguisher Service Pricing (PDF), read October 8, 2026https://www.safetyflare.net/uploads/1/2/1/9/121921318/fire_extinguisher_service_pricing.pdf
- Safety Flare, Inc., home page (location), read October 8, 2026https://www.safetyflare.net/
- America's Fire Shield, Fire Extinguisher Recharge 5LB ABC, read October 8, 2026https://www.fire-extinguisher.net/extinguisher-recharge-5lb-abc-p/insp1295.htm
- America's Fire Shield, Fire Extinguisher Recharge 10LB ABC, read October 8, 2026https://www.fire-extinguisher.net/extinguisher-recharge-10lb-abc-p/insp123.htm
- Serviced Fire Equipment, Fire Extinguisher Recharge, read October 8, 2026https://servicedfireequipment.com/fire-extinguisher-recharge/
- A&J Fire Extinguisher, Fire Extinguisher Recharge and Refill Service NYC, read October 8, 2026https://anjfire.com/fire-extinguisher-recharge/
- M&M Fire Extinguishers, Cost to Recharge Fire Extinguisher (2026 pricing), read October 8, 2026https://www.mmfireny.com/cost-to-recharge-fire-extinguisher-2026-pricing/
- FireEx Services, Services Pricing, read October 8, 2026https://www.fireexservices.com/pricing
- Connected Fire Safety Services (Chicago), Pricing Sheet, read October 8, 2026https://connectedfire.com/documents/FireServicesPricing.pdf
- City of Tulsa Purchasing, bid summary TAC 181H, read October 8, 2026https://cityoftulsa.org/media/31304/bid-summary-tac-181h.pdf
- City of San Antonio, draft bid tabulation IFB 5894, read October 8, 2026https://webapp1.sanantonio.gov/RFPFiles/IFB_5894_202507100423160.pdf
- Chatham County Purchasing, price sheet 25-0153-3, read October 8, 2026https://cms.chathamcountyga.gov/api/assets/purchasing-website/1ff60954-35a8-40aa-a13e-c55a96e6c583?download=0
- Garrett County, contract 23-1005-F price schedule, read October 8, 2026https://www.garrettcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/Contract%20Attachment-Fire%20Protection%20Products.pdf
- UW-Madison Purchasing, contract 21-5105 pricing, read October 8, 2026https://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/purch/contract/lists/5105pricing.pdf
Common questions
Do I have to recharge a fire extinguisher after using it?
Yes, if it is rechargeable. Recharging is required after every use, even a short one. Dry chemical units often lose pressure slowly after a partial use, so a normal gauge reading right after use does not prove the unit is full.
Can I recharge my own fire extinguisher?
For a workplace extinguisher in Oklahoma, Texas, Utah or New Jersey, the work must be done by a state licensed or permitted company. New Jersey exempts owners working on the one or two family home they live in.
How much does it cost to recharge a 5 lb fire extinguisher?
Published prices for a 5 lb ABC recharge range from $12.50 (Safety Flare, Albuquerque) to $29 (America's Fire Shield) on company price lists, and from $13.50 to $32 in the public bids listed above. Some companies add a trip charge.
Can a disposable fire extinguisher be refilled?
No. Nonrechargeable units are marked for discharge and disposal after any use, and they must be taken out of service 12 years after manufacture.
What do I use while my extinguisher is out for recharge?
OSHA requires employers to provide equal protection while extinguishers are out for recharging. Many service companies bring a loaner or swap in a serviced unit.