Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspection Tag – PVC (Tie-On Card)

The monthly inspection tag is the most visible and most frequently scrutinised fire-safety document in any facility. It is a tie-on PVC card attached to the extinguisher handle or bracket, bearing a 12-month grid where the designated inspector records the results of each monthly visual check. A blank tag, a missing tag, or a tag with gaps in the monthly grid is the single most common finding cited by fire auditors and insurance inspectors—and one of the easiest to prevent.

The monthly visual inspection per IS 2190 is a rapid, non-invasive check that any trained site employee can perform in under 60 seconds. The inspection confirms: gauge in the green zone, tamper seal intact, pin present, hose and nozzle undamaged, cylinder free of visible corrosion or dents, extinguisher in its designated location, access unobstructed, and signage visible. The inspector initials the corresponding month's box on the tag and records any deficiencies for corrective action.

This tag is manufactured from heavy-gauge PVC (0.5–0.8 mm) for weather resistance. PVC tags survive rain, humidity, cleaning chemicals, and UV exposure far better than paper or laminated-paper alternatives. The front face carries the 12-month inspection grid (January–December or rolling start), fields for the extinguisher number/location, and the inspector's name. The back face may include a brief checklist prompt or company logo. A brass or nylon eyelet accepts a cable tie, wire loop, or tamper-evident tag strap for attachment.

Colour coding adds an additional management dimension. Many organisations use a different tag colour each calendar year (e.g., white = 2025, yellow = 2026, green = 2027). During a walk-through, the site safety manager can instantly identify extinguishers carrying outdated tags from previous years—without reading fine print. This "at-a-glance" audit capability is a powerful compliance tool, especially in facilities with hundreds of extinguishers.

Tags should be replaced annually with a fresh tag of the new year's colour. The completed tag from the prior year should be retained in the fire-safety logbook or document archive for at least 5 years as audit evidence. Never discard completed tags—they are legal records of inspection activity.

Order tags in packs of 50–200, pre-printed with the current year. Store unused tags flat in a dry location. Carry a supply of tags, cable ties, and a permanent marker in the monthly inspection kit.