FAQ
The questions we hear most, answered before you schedule service.
Testing intervals and licensing rules below come from NFPA 10, 72, and 101, and the Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal’s Office rules adopting them.
| Equipment | Standard | Required interval | Typically performed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire extinguishers | NFPA 10 | Monthly visual check; annual inspection; 6-year internal maintenance; hydrostatic test every 5 or 12 years | Facility (monthly) / licensed technician (annual and beyond) |
| Fire alarm systems | NFPA 72 | Semiannual visual inspection; annual functional test; some device types quarterly | Licensed technician |
| Emergency lighting & exit signs | NFPA 101 | Monthly 30-second functional test; annual 90-minute discharge test | Building owner/occupant (monthly) / licensed technician (annual) |
Most commercial fire extinguishers need a documented annual inspection, along with regular visual checks by the facility. Service needs can vary by equipment type, condition, and local requirements.
The issue is documented as a deficiency. Depending on the condition, the next step may be repair, recharge, 6-year maintenance, hydrostatic testing, replacement, or relocating the unit so it is accessible.
When inventory and site authorization allow, replacement can be handled during the visit. If not, replacement can be quoted and scheduled as follow-up work.
Yes. Any company that sells, installs, or services fire extinguishers in Texas must hold a Fire Extinguisher Certificate of Registration (ECR) from the Texas Department of Insurance's State Fire Marshal's Office, and every technician performing the work must hold an individual state extinguisher license.
NFPA 10, which the Texas SFMO adopts as its minimum standard, also requires an internal examination every 6 years on stored-pressure units and hydrostatic testing on a 5- or 12-year cycle depending on extinguisher type — on top of the annual tag and the facility's own monthly visual checks.
It depends on the cylinder. Water, CO2, and wet chemical extinguishers test on a 5-year cycle; most stored-pressure dry chemical units test on a 12-year cycle. Both follow NFPA 10 and DOT cylinder rules.
The servicing company's name and contact information, the technician's state certification number, and hole-punches marking the extinguisher's type and the month and year of service. A current tag is valid for one year from that date.
Yes. A company must hold a Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration (ACR) from the Texas SFMO, and each technician who installs, services, or monitors alarm systems must hold the matching individual fire alarm license.
NFPA 72, the SFMO's adopted minimum standard, calls for a full functional test at least once a year, with a semiannual visual inspection of initiating devices. Some device types, like waterflow switches, test quarterly, and your local AHJ can require more.
Yes. A proper NFPA 72 test verifies that the communicator actually reaches the central monitoring station, not just that the panel and devices function locally.
Licensed companies keep inspection and test records and make them available to the property owner and the local AHJ; three years is a commonly cited minimum, though a specific jurisdiction may ask for longer.
The failure is documented as a deficiency that has to be corrected. An unresolved life-safety deficiency can be flagged by the local fire marshal at the next inspection.
No. The SFMO does not issue a separate registration for emergency lighting. Testing obligations come from the fire code your city or county has adopted, built on NFPA 101, and are enforced by the local fire marshal rather than the state.
A 30-second functional test every 30 days, plus a full 90-minute annual discharge test confirming the batteries can carry the required load for the whole duration, per NFPA 101.
An initial average of about 1 footcandle along the path of egress, staying above roughly 0.6 footcandle by the end of the 90-minute duration test.
Any exit sign with a battery-powered emergency light source follows the same monthly and annual test cycle as the rest of the emergency lighting system.
The building owner or occupant. Local fire marshals commonly ask to see the monthly and annual test log at a routine inspection, so it should be kept on-site and current.
Yes. You receive a clear service record showing the site, equipment reviewed, technician notes, deficiencies, and recommended next steps.
Fortress Fire Protection serves commercial customers in the Fort Worth area and surrounding communities. Share your city on the quote form and we will confirm availability.
Choose "Not sure yet" in the quote form and describe what you are seeing. We can help sort out whether you need inspection, maintenance, recharge, replacement, or follow-up service.
What You Receive
You should know exactly what was checked and what happens next. Here is what you get after every visit.
Service tags are reviewed and updated when equipment passes inspection and is ready to remain in service.
You receive clear documentation of what was inspected, what was found, and what needs attention.
If a unit is damaged, discharged, missing, blocked, or out of compliance, the issue is documented for follow-up.
When service is needed, we can help identify the next practical step, including recharge, maintenance, or replacement.
Annual inspection dates and future maintenance needs can be tracked so renewal deadlines never catch your team off guard.
Reports are organized for the people who need them — business owners, property managers, facility teams, and your authority having jurisdiction.
Send us the details and we'll answer it along with your quote — usually within one business day.
