What indicates that a fire extinguisher is operable?

An operable fire extinguisher can be identified by the arrow on its gauge pointing to the green zone. The gauge indicates the pressure level of the extinguisher, which is crucial for its effectiveness in an emergency situation. When the arrow points to the green zone, it signifies that the extinguisher is charged and ready for use, meaning it has the necessary pressure to discharge the firefighting agent effectively.

In contrast, while other factors such as the handle color or the weight of the extinguisher may offer some information, they do not conclusively indicate operability. The color of the handle does not directly relate to whether the extinguisher is functioning, and simply being unopened or heavy does not ensure that the contents are pressurized and ready for use. Therefore, checking the gauge and ensuring it is within the correct range (the green zone) is the most reliable way to confirm that the extinguisher is operable.