How Often Should Fire Extinguishers Be Serviced in Malaysia?

A fire extinguisher can hang on the wall for years without being used. That is exactly why it needs regular attention: when it is finally needed, it has to work the first time. This guide explains the servicing rules for fire extinguishers in Malaysia and what building owners and managers should check in between.

How often must fire extinguishers be serviced in Malaysia?

Once a year. A JBPM-registered contractor services each portable fire extinguisher on business premises annually and books it for BOMBA inspection through the electronic Fire Extinguisher Inspection System (eFEIS) [1].

The Director-General of the Fire and Rescue Department “has said that the inspection needs to be done annually” [1].

Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, Director-General, JBPM (The Star, 15 May 2025)

What is the BOMBA licence sticker?

The BOMBA licence is a sticker placed on each fire extinguisher after an official inspection [2]. There are two types:

• Birth licence: issued for a new extinguisher and tied to the location where it is placed [2].
• Renewal licence: issued every year, after the extinguisher has been serviced by an authorised Competent Person and inspected by BOMBA [2].

A licence cannot be bought on its own; it can only be obtained through an authorised Competent Organisation [2]. The licence is required for extinguishers used in commercial premises [2]. Each new BOMBA sticker carries a QR code that can be scanned, and the contractor’s details can be checked on efeis.bomba.gov.my before payment [1].

What should be checked every month?

Extinguishers should be checked at least once a month by the person in charge of the area [3]. A typical monthly checklist covers [1]:

• The red cylinder is in good condition
• The white label text and pictograms are easy to see
• The SIRIM product certification mark is on the label
• A valid JBPM certificate is in place
• The gauge needle is in the green zone
• There is no rust on the cylinder or valve
• The safety pin is in place
• The discharge hose is in good condition

If any item fails, have the unit serviced or replaced.

Why do unserviced extinguishers fail?

The most common reason a fire extinguisher does not work properly is a drop in pressure [4]. This is often caused by the O-ring that holds the gas inside hardening over time, which lets the gas escape [4]. Steel cylinders also begin to corrode after long exposure to the environment, and a partly used extinguisher that is not refilled can have a clogged hose or damaged components [4]. An annual service checks the pressure, the hose and the O-ring, which is replaced during the hose inspection [4].

When must an extinguisher be refilled?

Immediately after it has been used, even if only part of the contents was discharged [3]. Partial use can clog the hose or damage critical components if the unit is not refilled and serviced [4]. Report every use to the building’s fire safety contractor so the unit can be recharged.

When should an extinguisher be replaced?

JBPM sets a maximum life of 10 years for red-cylinder extinguishers, counted from the month and year of manufacture, and approves a unit only if at least six months of that life remain [1]. The Malaysian Standard MS 1539 Part 4 also sets a basic service and an extended service for each extinguisher; ask the servicing contractor for each unit’s extended-service due date [1].

How do you choose a servicing contractor?

Only a contractor registered with JBPM should service extinguishers for BOMBA renewal. Registration requires at least one full-time Competent Person registered with JBPM, is issued by extinguisher type and by state, and lasts two years [1]. Before paying, check that the contractor’s registration covers the types of extinguishers in the building and is still current [1].

Frequently asked questions