Questions shops ask
Straight answers. If yours is not here, ask us. We reply by email, usually within one business day (Mon-Fri, Pacific).
About RetestLog
What is RetestLog?
Software for fire extinguisher service companies. It keeps the record of every inspection and service you do, lists every unit coming due by customer, books the work, and emails the customer a service report after each job.
Who is it for?
Companies that inspect and maintain portable fire extinguishers for their customers, from one technician to a crew of twenty or more.
Is RetestLog from the NFPA or a fire marshal's office?
No. RetestLog is not affiliated with the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) or any government agency, and it does not file anything for you.
Does RetestLog guarantee I pass an inspection?
No. RetestLog makes sure each record is complete when it saves and keeps every unit’s history ready to show. An inspection also looks at the equipment, the work and your people.
Which edition of NFPA 10 does it follow?
The checklists are based on NFPA 10 and on OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.157 (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Each state adopts its own edition, and some set their own licensing rules, so check the schedule against the rules where you work.
Records
Which services does it record?
Monthly inspection, annual maintenance, six-year maintenance, recharge, and a new unit placed in service.
What goes on an annual maintenance record?
The date, the technician and their license number, the result, each checklist item pass or fail, a deficiency note and photos on a failure, the parts replaced, and a red tag with what is impaired. The record does not save until every checklist item is answered.
Where does the technician's license number come from?
From their profile. It is filled into every service record they save; a monthly inspection names the inspector instead. Once a record is saved, its number never changes, even if the profile changes later.
Does it replace the service tag?
No. The technician still fills in and signs the physical service tag by hand, and the record notes that they did. RetestLog’s ID label goes beside the service tag and says it is not a service tag.
What if a record was wrong?
Correct it. The correction saves as a new version with your reason, and the history keeps both. A record saved in error can be voided by an admin, with a reason.
Can I attach photos?
Yes. Add photos to a failed checklist item and its deficiency. They go on the service report.
What happens when a unit is impaired?
Mark the red tag and say what is impaired. The unit shows as out of service until a later service of the same kind passes it. Record when and how you told the owner and the fire official.
Work orders and reports
How do I book a job?
Make a work order for the customer, pick the units, the technician and the time. RetestLog warns you when that technician is already booked, and the office sees everyone’s work on the schedule.
Can a failed item become a repair?
Yes. Add it as a repair on the same work order, or on a return trip.
What does the customer get after a job?
A service report as a PDF, by email, under your shop’s name and logo. It lists every unit, its result, deficiencies with photos, repairs done and the next due dates.
Can my techs use it on site?
Yes. RetestLog runs in the web browser on a phone, a tablet or a computer. It needs a connection while you use it.
Is there an app to install?
No. Open RetestLog in the browser you already have.
Due dates and customers
How does RetestLog know when a unit is due?
You enter the date each service is due next when you add the unit. After that, each service that passes moves its date on.
Does it remind my customers for me?
Yes, by email, before their units come due. Each email goes out in your shop’s name with your contact details and an unsubscribe link. You can turn reminders off for one customer or for the whole shop.
Can it text my customers?
No. Reminders go by email only.
Can I see everything coming due?
Yes. The due list shows every unit coming due in the window you pick, by customer, soonest first, and the ones already overdue. Download it as a spreadsheet file if you want it outside RetestLog.
Can my customer check a unit?
Yes. Each unit’s ID label has a QR code. Scanned, it shows the unit’s service status and latest service, with no account. You can hide a customer’s units from it.
Does it send invoices?
No. Keep the billing software you use now.
Your license
Does RetestLog track my state license?
Yes. Each location keeps its state license number and expiry date, and RetestLog warns you 60 days before it runs out. The license number goes on the service report and the unit’s certificate.
Price
How much is it?
It depends on how many technicians you have: $49 a month for the first, $25 each for technicians 2 to 5, and $15 each from the 6th. See Pricing for the totals.
Do I pay more for more locations?
No. The price covers the whole company, with as many locations as you have and as many extinguishers as you service.
Who counts as a technician?
Anyone named on an inspection or service record as the person who did the work. Office staff who only look things up, book work or send reports are free and do not count toward your price.
How do I get started?
Use Start free trial. 30 days free, no credit card required. We set your shop up.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, 30 days. No credit card required. If you decide not to continue, you pay nothing.
Is there a setup fee?
No.
Your records
Who owns my records?
You do. They are your shop’s records.
What happens to my records if I stop using RetestLog?
Tell us when you plan to stop. Before then, download your due list and keep the service reports you need. Ask us if you have questions about this.
Who can see my shop's records?
The people at your shop you give access to, each as their role allows. Our team and our service providers can reach them only as needed to run and support RetestLog, as our privacy policy explains.
Support
How do I get help?
Send a message through Talk to us. We reply by email, usually within one business day (Mon-Fri, Pacific).
Ready for your next service day?
30 days free. No credit card required. Pricing is from $49 a month. See the pricing.
Still have a question? Talk to us.