NFPA 10 ยท 7.3.3
Fire extinguisher inspection tags
The tag on an extinguisher is its service record. Here's what it has to show, how the punches work, and where QR labels fit in.
What the tag records
After annual maintenance, NFPA 10 requires a tag or label securely attached to each extinguisher showing:
- the month and year the maintenance was done,
- the person who did it,
- the company that did it.
Most tags show this with a punched month and year grid on the front. The back often has rows for the monthly inspection: date and initials.
CO: EXAMPLE FIRE & SAFETY
LIC #: ______
How to read the punches
On a typical tag, the technician punches the month and year of the annual service. One punch in the month row and one in the year row: the tag above shows service in November 2025, so the next annual is due by November 2026. On the back, monthly inspections are logged as a date and initials on each line.
Other labels you'll see on an extinguisher
- Verification-of-service collar: a ring around the neck after 6-year maintenance or a recharge where the valve came off.
- Hydrostatic test label: a durable label recording the test date and tester. DOT cylinders such as CO2 are stamped by the retester instead.
- Manufacture date: on the nameplate or stamped on the cylinder. It starts the 6-year and hydrostatic clocks.
Tag colors
There's no national color code for service tags. Yellow, red and white are common, but the color is usually the tag maker's or the service company's choice. Some companies change color each year so an expired tag stands out from across the room.
State tag rules
Several states license extinguisher service companies and set their own tag requirements, often including the company's state license number and the technician's certificate number. California, Florida and Texas are examples. Check your state fire marshal's rules before ordering tags in bulk.
Paper tags vs QR labels
QR labels don't remove the annual tag requirement. They add a record the tag can't hold.
| Paper tag | QR label with PunchTag | |
|---|---|---|
| Meets the NFPA 10 annual tag rule | Yes | Used together with the tag |
| Monthly inspection record | 12 punches or rows, then replace | Unlimited history. NFPA 10 permits electronic records; confirm your fire marshal accepts them. |
| Photos of damage | No | Yes |
| Next 6-year and hydro dates | Worked out by hand | Calculated automatically |
| After water, grease or sun damage | Often unreadable | Record is safe even if the label is damaged |
Tag questions
What information goes on a fire extinguisher inspection tag?
For annual maintenance, NFPA 10 requires the month and year the work was done, the person who did it and the company. Many tags also have a grid on the back for monthly inspection dates and initials.
Are fire extinguisher tags required by law?
NFPA 10 requires a tag or label on each extinguisher after annual maintenance, and most states and cities enforce NFPA 10. Some states also set their own tag format or require the technician's license number.
What do the colors of fire extinguisher tags mean?
There's no national color code. Tag color is usually the service company's or tag maker's choice, though a few states regulate tag format. What matters is the information on the tag.
Can I use a QR code instead of a paper tag?
For monthly inspections, NFPA 10 permits electronic records; confirm your fire marshal accepts them. For annual maintenance you still need a tag or label attached to the unit. A QR label can sit alongside it and link to the full record.
What is a verification-of-service collar?
A plastic ring placed around the neck of the extinguisher after 6-year maintenance or a recharge, when the valve was removed. It shows the work was done.
Put a QR label on every unit
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