How should fire extinguishers be maintained?

Maintaining fire extinguishers is crucial for ensuring they are fully operational in case of a fire emergency. The practice of checking extinguishers annually for functionality involves a thorough inspection that verifies whether the pressure gauge is in the proper range, whether there are any visible signs of damage, and that the extinguishers are accessible and unobstructed. This routine maintenance helps to identify any problems before they become critical issues, ensuring that the extinguishers will work effectively when needed.

This annual check aligns with guidelines set by fire safety regulations and industry standards. Proper maintenance can also include more frequent visual inspections to ensure that extinguishers remain in good condition between formal annual checks. Thus, this choice underscores the importance of proactivity in fire safety measures, emphasizing that fire extinguishers should always be operational and ready for use.

The other options suggest practices that neglect proper upkeep and monitoring, which would compromise safety during a fire emergency.