Frequently Asked Questions

NFPA 10 is the National Fire Protection Association's standard that rule the selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, and testing of portable fire extinguishers. In California, these standards are enforced by law.

Check the tag! Every extinguisher has a service tag punched with the date of the last inspection. If it's been more than 12 months since that date (or if the tag is missing), you are out of compliance.

Absolutely. We create customized agreements based on your organization's needs, including volume pricing, guaranteed response times, and flexible terms.

We provide access to compliance dashboards showing inspection status, upcoming service dates, and downloadable documentation for all your locations.

We service all types of commercial facilities, residential and industrial including office buildings, warehouses, manufacturing plants, retail locations, restaurants, schools, federal buildings data centers and more.

Yes, we service LA area, Orange, San Fernando valley, San Bernardino and Ventura counties with consistent service standards across all locations. We can coordinate schedules for efficient multi-site coverage.

In California, state regulations (Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations) require that all non-residential fire extinguishers must be professionally serviced;

1. Annually (Once per year) by a certified technician

2. Immediately After Use: If the extinguisher is discharged, even partially, it must be serviced and recharged.

3. Monthly: A quick visual inspection is also required monthly and can be performed by the building owner or a designated employee

It depends on your hazard type. Standard offices typically need ABC Dry Chemical extinguishers. Commercial kitchens require Class K extinguishers for grease fires. We can assess your site and recommend the correct coverage.

In most cases, we can refill and recharge your existing commercial-grade extinguisher, which is often cheaper than buying a new high-quality unit. We refill Dry Chemical, CO2, and Class K units.

Fire extinguishers are classified by the type of fire they fight: Class A: Trash, wood, paper. Class B: Liquids (gasoline, oil). Class C: Electrical equipment. Class K: Kitchen grease/oil (Crucial for restaurants). Most offices need an 'ABC' extinguisher that covers standard hazards.

Just remember P.A.S.S.:

1. Pull the pin.

2. Aim at the base of the fire.

3. Squeeze the handle.

4. Sweep from side to side.

Monthly: A quick visual check (you can do this yourself). Annually: A certified inspection by a licensed technician (required by law). Every 6 Years: Internal maintenance/teardown. Every 12 Years: Hydrostatic testing (pressure test).

YES. Even a short burst breaks the seal and lowers the pressure. The powder can settle in the valve and cause a leak. Never put a used extinguisher back on the wall—call us for a recharge immediately.

Yes! We offer mobile service throughout LA, Orange, San Fernando valley, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. We'll come to your commissary, storage location, or wherever your truck is parked. You can also bring your truck to our shop.

We carry common replacement parts and can often make repairs on-site. For major repairs, we'll provide a quote and schedule service as quickly as possible to minimize your downtime.

Fire suppression systems require semi-annual (every 6 months) inspection. Fire extinguishers need annual inspection. We'll set you up on a schedule so you never miss a deadline.

All our technicians are direct employees of SOS Fire Services. They are uniformed, background-checked, and factory-trained. We do not outsource our core inspection and maintenance work, ensuring consistent quality and security for your tenants.

Yes. For property management firms and restaurant chains, we offer master service agreements with consolidated monthly billing and a unified online portal to access inspection reports for all your locations.

We offer 24/7 emergency service for urgent situations like system discharges, gas shut-offs, or leakages. Call our emergency line for immediate dispatch.

Absolutely. Our fleet is fully stocked and comes to your business. We perform annual inspections, recharging, and 6-year maintenance on-site, saving you the hassle of transporting equipment.

Yes. SOS Fire Services is fully licensed by the CSLB and carries the California State Fire Marshal (Title 19) certification. We are authorized to inspect, tag, and certify fire equipment in Los Angeles, Orange,San Fernando valley, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties.

Our technicians can obtain necessary security clearances for military and sensitive government facilities. We work with facility security officers to meet all access requirements.

Absolutely. We maintain certified payroll records and can provide all required prevailing wage documentation for public works projects in California.

We service Los Angeles, Orange, San Fernando valley, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. For federal contracts outside this area, please contact us to discuss arrangements.

Yes, we accept government purchase orders and can accommodate Net 30 payment terms typical of government contracts. We're familiar with government procurement processes and documentation requirements.

Yes, we are actively registered in SAM.gov (System for Award Management) and maintain current registration status. Our DUNS number and CAGE code are available in our capability statement.

Call us immediately. Do not attempt to clean the chemical yourself without guidance. We provide emergency recharge services to flush the lines, refill the tanks, and reset the gas valve so you can reopen quickly.

We aim to minimize downtime. We offer flexible scheduling, including early mornings or off-hours, so we can test and tag your system without interrupting your lunch or dinner rush.

UL 300 is the modern safety standard for kitchen fire suppression. If you are still using an older dry-chemical system, you are required to upgrade to a Wet Chemical system to comply with current laws and insurance policies. We specialize in these upgrades.

According to NFPA 96 and California Fire Code, commercial kitchen systems must be inspected and certified semi-annually (every 6 months). Failure to do so can result in fines and insurance cancellation.

Yes, we service LA, Orange, San Fernando valley, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. We can coordinate schedules to service multiple properties efficiently and provide unified reporting across your entire portfolio.

We provide 24/7 emergency response for all managed properties. Your account manager can be reached directly, and we prioritize response for property management clients.

Absolutely. We provide detailed compliance reports with inspection dates, certifications, and any noted deficiencies. These are perfect for board meetings, insurance audits, or regulatory compliance.

Yes. We carry comprehensive General Liability, Workers' Compensation, and Commercial Auto insurance that meets or exceeds standard property management requirements. We can issue a COI naming your entity as an "Additional Insured" within 24 hours.

We are an authorized dealer and service provider for major industry brands, including Amerex, Badger, Ansul, Pyro-Chem, Captive Aire and Buckeye . We use OEM parts to ensure your equipment warranties remain valid.

We provide a single monthly or quarterly invoice for all your properties. Each invoice includes detailed breakdowns by property, building, and unit. We can also accommodate purchase orders and custom billing cycles.

We maintain a compliance database for all your properties. You'll receive a notification before inspections are due.

Yes, we're authorized to service Ansul, Pyro-Chem, Buckeye, and CaptiveAire systems. We can also perform UL 300 upgrades on older systems.

Absolutely. We schedule inspections during off-peak hours and can service multiple locations in a single visit to minimize disruption to your operations.

We offer 24-hour emergency response for fire code violations. We'll inspect your systems, make necessary repairs, and provide documentation to satisfy the fire department and fire marshal.

Commercial kitchen hood suppression systems require semi-annual (every 6 months) inspections per NFPA 96. We file the required reports with the fire marshal and provide certification tags.

UL-300 is the modern safety standard for kitchen fire suppression. Older systems ('dry chem') can't handle the high heat of vegetable oils used in modern fryers. If your system was installed before 1994, it likely needs an upgrade to meet insurance and fire marshal codes.

Every 6 months. Fusible links are the heat sensors that trigger your system. Over time, grease buildup and heat fatigue weaken them, which is why replacement during your semi-annual inspection is mandatory.

By law (NFPA 96 & Title 19), commercial kitchen systems must be inspected and tagged semi-annually (every 6 months) by a licensed technician.

A "Condemned" tag means the cylinder has failed its hydrostatic test or has permanent damage (like corrosion) and is unsafe to use. By law, it cannot be recharged. We can safely dispose of the condemned unit and replace it with a new, code-compliant extinguisher on the spot.

For most standard dry chemical extinguishers, yes. Our mobile workshop trucks are equipped with closed recovery systems to perform 6-year maintenance and internal breakdown verification at your facility, so you are never left without protection.

Yes. We stock a comprehensive inventory of all fire extinguishers brands and original replacement parts, including hoses, nozzles, gauges, pull pins, and seals for various extinguisher types

Yes. We sell most brands and sizes. Please contact our office for rates and brands avalible

You should consider the size and type of your extinguisher, whether you need a surface-mount or recessed cabinet, and if you require a pedlock for fire extinguisher protection