Change in ’26 NFPA-10 Allows for Automation, Eliminating Need for Monthly Physical Inspections, Keltron Reports

ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keltron Corp, with over 50 years in fire life safety, highlights that facilities burdened by the stress of maintaining monthly compliance now have the option of using technology rather than conducting physical inspections of fire extinguishers.

At the NFPA Technical Meeting in Las Vegas this past June, the 2026 edition of NFPA-10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, was approved. Changes included removing the outdated requirement in Section 7.2 for hefting an extinguisher during the monthly inspection process. The adjustment means that the Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers once again recognizes technology as an alternative to the physical inspection.

According to state and national fire codes, fire extinguishers must be inspected monthly and the process documented showing that the inspections have been conducted. This means for a facility with a few hundred extinguishers, code compliance means thousands of individual inspections each year. Occupancies deploying listed technology will no longer be required to perform monthly physical inspections.

Monitored fire extinguishers automate inspections and reporting, mitigate risk, and help refocus resources.

“Recognizing technology that meets the 30-day inspection process not just once a month, but every single day is logical,” said former NFPA-10 Technical Committee member, Fred Knipper.

Knipper continued, “The assurance of 24/7 accountability met code compliance needs, and provided the time to focus on the never-ending ‘to do list. It was a logical addition.”

Listed technology capable of continually monitoring an extinguisher for pressure, location and accessibility is readily available and easy to implement in both new construction and existing facilities.

The Keltron FXI cloud-based solution directly integrates with the fire extinguisher. The technology provides direct data and information from the extinguisher, rather than relying on an outside inspection device. It also has extended battery life lasting beyond the 6-year tear-down.

With the 2026 change, NFPA-10, once again aligns with the ICC and the Joint Commission in recognizing technology such as the Keltron FXI Solution can be utilized in place of labor-intensive monthly inspections.

If you would like to learn more about the changes to NFPA 10, or the Keltron FXI technology
Please contact John McSheffrey @ [e-mail]
John McSheffrey serves on the Technical Committees for NFPA 10 & NFPA 915