In case of physical damage to a fire extinguisher during inspection, what is the appropriate course of action?

When a fire extinguisher is found to have physical damage during inspection, tagging it for replacement and reporting it is the appropriate course of action. This response ensures that the damaged extinguisher is properly identified and removed from service before it can be needed in an emergency. A damaged extinguisher may not function correctly, putting lives and property at risk during a fire event. By tagging it, facility management is prompted to replace the extinguisher in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintaining readiness in fire prevention efforts.

Continuing to use a damaged extinguisher or performing a functional test could lead to failure during an emergency, which is why those actions are not advisable. Disposing of it immediately could be an option if it's deemed unusable, but tagging it for replacement provides a clearer protocol for ensuring that a functional extinguisher is always available. Hence, the most responsible choice is to tag the damaged extinguisher and report it for replacement.