Question 3829 Deck General

The correct answer is D) weighing the extinguisher. According to US Coast Guard regulations, a CO2 portable extinguisher must be weighed annually to ensure that the total weight of the extinguisher is within the manufacturer's recommended full-charged weight range. This ensures the extinguisher contains the proper amount of CO2 to be effective in an emergency. Simply reading the gauge pressure or checking the seal is not enough to confirm the extinguisher is properly charged. Discharging a small amount would also not be an appropriate annual inspection method, as it would deplete the extinguisher's contents.