What condition must a fire extinguisher meet during an inspection?

A fire extinguisher must be fully charged during an inspection to ensure it is operational and ready to be used in an emergency. A full charge indicates that the extinguisher contains the necessary agents to suppress a fire and that it will function effectively when needed. This is critical for safety regulations and guidelines that mandate all fire safety equipment, including extinguishers, to be maintained in working order.

In contrast, having an expired fire extinguisher would render it ineffective and unsafe, as the agent inside may have degraded and not function properly when needed. The material or color of the fire extinguisher is irrelevant to its operational capability; it can be made of various substances, and colors can vary based on manufacturer designs or purpose indications. Thus, ensuring that a fire extinguisher is fully charged is essential for effective fire safety preparedness.