Fire extinguishers are key life‑safety devices, but they require regular care to remain reliable. In Nevada—including Las Vegas—the rules for recharging (or servicing) extinguishers are based on state law and widely accepted national standards such as NFPA 10. Here’s what you should know about how often a fire extinguisher must be recharged or maintained in the state of Nevada.

State Requirements & Standards

Under Nevada’s Administrative Code (NAC), portable fire extinguishers must be maintained, recharged, and tagged at least once each year by a person certified by the State Fire Marshal. The NAC also mandates that all installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair must comply with NFPA 10 and related standards.

In practice, “recharging” means emptying the extinguisher, refilling with the proper extinguishing agent, re-pressurizing, and performing preventive maintenance tasks to ensure integrity.

The typical maintenance schedule is:

  • Annual maintenance and service 
  • Hydrostatic (pressure) testing of the cylinder every 5 to 12 years, depending on the extinguisher type.
  • Recharging after any use, or if inspection indicates loss of pressure or damage

Thus, even if the extinguisher has not been discharged, it may require internal inspection or recharging every 1 year under state code.

Las Vegas / Clark County Context

In Las Vegas and the Clark County area, local fire protection companies often follow the same state-mandated annual schedule. The state of Nevada law and OSHA require annual inspection and service (refill/recharge) of applicable extinguishers. If the gauge is out of its proper range (the green area), the extinguisher must be recharged immediately. 

Summary & Best Practices

  • In Nevada (including Las Vegas), a fire extinguisher generally must be serviced and recharged at least once a year, by a certified technician.
  • Recharging must also occur after any use (even partial), or when inspections reveal pressure loss or damage.
  • The cylinder must undergo hydrostatic testing on a longer schedule (every 5 to 12 years depending on type).