Fire Extinguisher Inspection Certification Information

Chapter 13 of the Ames Municipal Code requires all rental dwelling units to have one charged and operable 2-A: 10-BC rated fire extinguisher in each unit or to have one kept in a conspicuous location on each floor of a structure and within 75 feet of each unit entrance. 1A: 10BC rated extinguishers are allowed in units within a building equipped with a fire sprinkler. The same code section also requires that the extinguishers be inspected by a trained individual annually.

To ensure fire extinguishers are maintained, the Fire Department has created a free online Fire Extinguisher Inspection Certification. The certification will be valid for three years and will provide anyone with a passing score the ability to conduct their own extinguisher inspection as required by the Rental Code.

If you wish to become certified to conduct annual fire extinguisher inspections, please review the presentation below. Once you feel prepared to take the exam, simply click on the exam link and complete the online exam. The exam is comprised of 20 questions and to pass you must get at least 18 of the 20 questions correct. Once the exam has been submitted, a member of our Administrative Services Team will email those with passing scores a certificate valid for three years.

Note: This certification will allow the certificate holder to conduct annual fire extinguisher inspections. It does NOT allow them to conduct the 6-year fire extinguisher maintenance inspection.

Questions regarding the exam should be directed to one the following staff members:

Jason Ziph
Fire Inspector
Jason.ziph@cityofames.org
515-239-5156

Sara Van Meeteren
Building Official
Sara.vanmeeteren@cityofames.org
515-239-5255

Power Point Presentation - Annual Inspections for Residential Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Exam - Fire Extinguisher Test

Fire Extinguisher Inspection Tag

After inspecting a fire extinguisher, it is important to show that it has been inspected.  This printable PDF has two Fire Extinguisher Inspection Tags that may be downloaded, copied, and cut out as needed.

Download here.