When was the last time you checked the tag on your fire extinguisher? If you had to think about it—you’re not alone. Most folks don’t realize that traditional fire extinguisher service isn’t just a suggestion…it’s a requirement. And if you skip it, you might just find out the hard way that your extinguisher doesn’t work when you need it most.

Whether it’s in your house, garage, shop, or vehicle—you’ve got enough going on without worrying about expired tags, missed inspections, or leaking powder. Let’s talk about why the traditional approach to fire and safety equipment is outdated—and why STOP-FYRE® is built to take that headache off your plate for good.

The Old Way: A Lifetime of Maintenance, Inspections, and Refills 

Let's break it down. Here's what the typical dry chemical extinguisher demands from you:

Monthly Maintenance

1. Check the Gauge

Visually checking the gauge on your standard dry chemical fire extinguisher is the first step in knowing if it will properly work in the event of a fire. The gauge will tell you whether the unit is operational (green) or undercharged/overcharged (red). You want the needle to point within the green area. If the pressure gauge is in the red, you will need to have it professionally serviced by a fire protection technician.

2. Physical Condition

Aside from the gauge being in the red or green, you may find signs of leaks or corrosion on the unit itself. The nozzle needs to be checked to ensure there is no corrosion or debris that prevents the unit from properly discharging. 

Another point of inspection is the tank. The tank should be checked for any debris, corrosion, or grease are present. Corrosion or loss of paint will lead to a weakened tank that will rupture or leak. If there is any sign of damage to the nozzle or tank, replace the unit immediately.

3. Shake Powder Extinguishers

The typical dry chemical fire extinguisher contains a fine powder that will settle over time. 

Manufacturers expect users to shake the unit every month to keep the powder inside fluffy and ready to dispense. The problem? Most people either forget or don't know that it is required. 

Annual Servicing

According to NFPA 10, Sec. 7.3.2, maintenance is required at least once a year. Maintenance must be performed by a trained technician who has the proper tools, listed parts, and appropriate manufacturer's service manuals.

Refilling After Every Use

Standard powder fire extinguishers must be recharged immediately after each use. Even if the powder inside was not completely discharged, the unit still needs to be serviced to ensure it's ready to be used again. The smallest usage will result in leakage and eventually a total loss of pressure required for proper operation.

Internal Maintenance

According to the NFPA, extinguishers need to have an internal examination conducted at anywhere from 1-6 year intervals depending on the type of extinguisher. For example, a dry chemical, stored pressure fire extinguisher must have an internal examination every 6 years. See NFPA 10 Table 7.3.3.1 for more details on other types of fire extinguishers. The internal maintenance involves the extinguisher to be emptied and subjected to an internal examination by a trained technician in accordance with procedures detailed in the manufacturer's service manual and NFPA 10, Sec. 7.3.1.2.

STOP-FYRE®: The No-Maintenance, No-Nonsense Solution

STOP-FYRE® flips the script on everything you just read. Our multi-shot, no-mess clean agent fire extinguisher is designed for performance and longevity - no monthly or annual maintenance, no shaking required, no stress.

Here's what makes STOP-FYRE® different: 

No Monthly or Yearly Service Required to Operate

Our proprietary clean agent blend (electrically non-conductive and non-corrosive) of fire suppression gases does not require servicing to operate. 

Multi-Shot Ability

Our extinguishers are multi-shot units. This simply means STOP-FYRE® can be used and will not need to be serviced to be effective for its next use. However, we recommend that you refill your unit as you never know how big your next fire will be.

No Mess or Clean Up

Unlike the traditional dry chemical fire extinguishers, STOP-FYRE® leaves no corrosive mess or residue when used. This saves you time and money as the mess from your standard dry chemical fire extinguisher will get into every crack and crevice while corroding everything it touches.

Lifetime No-Hassle Guarantee™

We trust our products so much that we back them with a Lifetime No-Hassle Guarantee™. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you own a lifetime of fire protection that you can trust.

We guarantee that if any of the fire safety equipment we manufactured is EVER not in working condition, we will repair or replace it with a new unit of equal or greater value.

*AKE’s Lifetime No-Hassle Guarantee™ is limited to the replacement of the unit only. It does not apply to any electronics or if any product is abused, altered, vandalized, or if customer attempts to defraud AKE.

Made in the USA

Our fire extinguishers are proudly made in the United States of America. We carefully source our parts from suppliers across the country, and then assemble and rigorously test units in-house at our Rochester, Minnesota headquarters.

We take these measures to ensure the absolute best product quality possible so our customers have incredibly well-made fire extinguishers that will work when it matters most.

Our patented canisters have been custom engineered to withstand physical hardship and strain, being 3 times tougher than what the D.O.T. requires. The patented intuitive pistol grip is lightweight and functional. Our patented heavy-duty metal mounting bracket and self-tapping screws are included with the unit.

Watch STOP-FYRE® in Action:

Ready to skip the hassle and protect what matters most? Get your STOP-FYRE® today!