The test must be carried out by a professional maintenance technician. It consists of a measure suitable for verifying, with periodicity defined by the law, the stability of the tank or cylinder of the extinguisher, as they are components of the pressure equipment. The testing activity must involve the revision activity.

The testing of carbon dioxide fire extinguishers and auxiliary gas cylinders must be carried out in compliance with current legislation on periodic requalification of pressure equipment.

Fire extinguishers built in compliance with the PED Directive 97/23/CE (CE mark) must be tested according to the foreseen periodicity by means of a hydraulic test lasting 30 s and at the test pressure (PT) indicated on the tank.

Fire extinguishers built before May 2002 (WITHOUT CE MARKING) and compliant with D.M. 20.12.82 must be tested according to the scheduled periodicity "PRE-PED TEST" by means of a hydraulic test lasting 1 min. at a pressure of 35 BAR. 0 as per PT value punched on the tank. Tanks with dents or signs of internal and external corrosion cannot be tested.

Tank/cylinder fire extinguishers that have not passed the test must be taken out of service.

When testing the powder or carbon dioxide extinguisher, the dispensing valve must be replaced to guarantee the efficiency and safety of the extinguisher.

The date of the month/year test and the name of the company that performed it must be indelibly reported both inside and outside the fire extinguisher. It is forbidden to punch the tank and the components subject to pressure.