When replacing a fire extinguisher while servicing, what should occur?

When replacing a fire extinguisher while servicing, putting an equal extinguisher in its place is essential for maintaining fire safety and compliance with regulations. This practice ensures that the fire protection measures in place remain effective. The replaced extinguisher should match the type and capacity of the original to ensure it is suitable for the same potential fire hazards that the original was meant to address.

Using an identical extinguisher preserves the intended safety protocols, as different types of extinguishers are designed to combat different classes of fires, which could lead to hazardous situations if mismatched. For example, using a water extinguisher in a situation where a foam or dry chemical extinguisher is needed can be dangerous and ineffective. Therefore, replacing it with an equal extinguisher ensures that the correct fire suppression method is available immediately.

This option also reflects best practices in fire safety management, assisting in compliance with fire codes and standards that mandate having the appropriate type and quantity of extinguishers based on the nature of potential fire hazards in various environments.