DIN 14406-4:2026-11

Professionally maintain portable fire extinguishers and keep them ready for use

DIN 14406-4 specifies requirements for the maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. It helps competent persons, operators and maintenance companies ensure that fire extinguishers remain fully functional over the long term and that the required inspection, servicing and repair measures are carried out in accordance with the standard. The standard supplements the product standards in the DIN EN 3 series with specific maintenance requirements.

What is DIN 14406-4 about?

The standard defines requirements for the maintenance of portable fire extinguishers and describes the prerequisites for inspection, servicing, repair and refilling. It focuses on the requirements for the competent person, the performance of maintenance, the assessment of extinguisher condition, and documentation of the measures carried out. The standard also specifies requirements for marking after maintenance and for replacing extinguishing agents, propellants and components.

Topics covered

• Maintenance of portable fire extinguishers
• Requirements for competent persons and their authorization
• Inspection, servicing and repair
• Replacement of extinguishing agents, propellants and components
• Testing and inspection intervals
• Refilling fire extinguishers
• Documentation and maintenance records
• Marking after maintenance and refilling
• Fire extinguishers manufactured to earlier standards

Practical relevance

Portable fire extinguishers are among the most important elements of preventive fire protection. DIN 14406-4 helps operators ensure that fire extinguishers remain fully functional over the long term and document the required maintenance measures in a traceable manner. This helps prevent failures and ensures operational readiness in the event of a fire.

The requirements concerning inspection intervals, competence, replacement of extinguishing agents and maintenance records are particularly relevant because they directly affect operational readiness and legally compliant documentation. The standard also clearly distinguishes maintenance from periodic inspection under the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health.

Changes compared with DIN 14406-4:2009-09

The 2026 edition has undergone only limited revision compared with the previous edition. The most important changes include:

• Updated references to regulations, rules and technical sources
• Alignment with current normative and legal frameworks
• Editorial revision of the document

Target group

• Competent persons responsible for fire extinguisher maintenance
• Fire safety officers
• Operators of buildings and facilities
• Maintenance companies
• Facility managers
• Fire extinguisher manufacturers
• Testing and inspection bodies
• Preventive fire protection specialists

Conclusion

DIN 14406-4 provides the central basis for the maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. With its requirements for competence, maintenance procedures and documentation, it supports the long-term functionality of fire extinguishers and contributes to effective preventive fire protection.

This document replaces DIN 14406-4:2009-09 .