How often should shipboard fire extinguishers be visually inspected and tested?

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Regular maintenance of shipboard fire extinguishers uses a two-part approach: quick, frequent visual checks and a periodic hydrostatic integrity test. Visual inspections are performed monthly so any obvious problems—damage to the cylinder, corrosion, leakage, damaged or missing labels, tamper seal, safety pin, hose and nozzle condition, or a gauge not in the green range—are spotted in time to keep the unit ready for use. The hydrostatic test is a more thorough verification of the cylinder's strength and integrity, performed at the scheduled interval of once per year. It involves pressurizing the unit with water to a level above normal operating pressure to detect hidden flaws that could fail under fire conditions. This combination ensures the extinguisher remains serviceable and safe, aligning with standard ship safety practices. The other frequencies are either unnecessarily frequent for daily readiness or not aligned with typical maintenance cycles, making monthly visual checks with annual hydrostatic testing the best choice.