Mintenance & Disposal of Fire Extinguishers

Expired extinguishers: Treat the date or service tag as a prompt to have the unit checked. A qualified fire-extinguisher service company can inspect, service, recharge, or replace it. If it’s been used, is damaged, or its gauge is outside the operating range, take it out of service and arrange a replacement or service promptly. Until then, keep a working extinguisher available.

Extinguishers being discarded: Don’t put one in regular trash or recycling while it may still be pressurized or contain extinguishing material. Contact a qualified extinguisher dealer, your local household hazardous-waste program, or your municipality for instructions. Some places accept them at designated drop-offs; rules differ by location. Don’t discharge or dismantle it yourself unless local authorities specifically direct you to.

Dropoffs

OCRRA’s local guidance says to call before bringing an extinguisher in because drop-off locations have different preparation rules and limits.

If it’s under 15 years old, contact one of these recyclers first: Ben Weitsman & Son at 315-488-3171 or Metalico Syracuse at 315-463-9292.

If it’s 15 years or older, its contents are unknown, or the recyclers can’t accept it, call Jerome Fire Equipment at 315-699-5288 for preparation instructions and possible fees. OCRRA’s extinguisher guidance has the details (link).

Don’t put it in Syracuse trash or recycling, and don’t discharge or dismantle it yourself. OCRRA lists fire extinguishers as not accepted in its household hazardous waste program. City recycling rules also direct residents to OCRRA for items that can’t go in the curbside carts.