AED Maintenance Guide
How to check your AED, what "ready for service" means, how often to check it, how long the battery and pads last, and how to dispose of them safely in Ireland.
AT A GLANCE
- What to check: the ready-for-service indicator, that pads are present and in-date, and that the battery holds sufficient charge — the HSA's own three points.
- How often: no Irish law or regulator sets a fixed interval — follow your model's manufacturer instructions (some are daily or weekly). We recommend a monthly documented check as a minimum.
- Consumables: pads and batteries expire on a fixed clock, typically 2–5 years depending on brand — see the table in Section 04.
- Disposal: never in general waste — expired pads and batteries are WEEE and hazardous waste, and your civic amenity site takes both free.
- Free help: register your AED with AED Guardian and we track your unit's exact dates and remind you before anything expires.
CONTENTS
An AED that has not been checked can fail silently — a flat battery or an out-of-date set of pads gives no warning until the moment someone needs the device to work. Maintenance is what keeps that moment from being the first time anyone finds out.
This guide covers what Irish regulators say about AED upkeep, what to check and how often, typical battery and pad lifespans by brand, and how to dispose of expired consumables safely. For the wider legal picture on AEDs in the workplace, see our AED Compliance guide.
↑ Back to topPer the HSA's §1.10 wording above, a regular check has three parts:
- Ready-for-service indicator — is your AED's own status light or display showing it is fault-free and ready?
- Pads — are they present, sealed, and in-date?
- Battery — is it holding sufficient charge?
How often depends on the model — manufacturers vary widely, from daily to no stated interval at all:
| Model | Manufacturer's stated owner check |
|---|---|
| HeartSine Samaritan 350P / 360P / 500P | Weekly status indicator check; monthly damage and Pad-Pak expiry check |
| Defibtech Lifeline (DDU-100 / DDU-120) | Daily Active Status Indicator check; monthly full check |
| Mindray BeneHeart C series | Check the status indicator every day; pads checked monthly |
| CU Medical iPAD SP1 | Daily inspection (reseller-sourced — confirm against your unit's manual) |
| Physio-Control LIFEPAK 1000 | Weekly inspection |
| Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR Plus | "Monthly inspections may be appropriate" for infrequently used units |
| Philips HeartStart HS1 / FRx | No interval named — "periodically" only |
| ZOLL AED Plus / AED 3 | No interval named — "periodically" / "as necessary" |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | No interval named — "periodically" |
| Mediana HeartOn A15 | "Regular" checks, plus an annual safety check (reseller-sourced) |
| Primedic myPAD | Visual inspection "at least once a year" |
Batteries and pads expire on their own clock, separate from your regular checks. Typical figures by brand:
| Brand / model | Battery life | Pads life | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeartSine Samaritan 350P/360P/500P | 4 years — combined PAD-PAK (battery and pads are one unit) | Replace the whole PAD-PAK together | |
| ZOLL AED 3 | 5 years from installation | 5-year shelf life | Confirm date markings against your unit's manual |
| ZOLL AED Plus | 5 years (software v5.32+) or 3 years (earlier software) | Check pad packaging | All 10 battery cells are replaced as a set |
| Defibtech Lifeline (DDU-100/120) | 5 years (standard) or 7 years (high-capacity) | 2 years | Separate 9V Active Status Indicator battery — use Ultra Life lithium, not standard alkaline |
| Defibtech Lifeline VIEW | 4 years | 2 years | — |
| Mindray BeneHeart C1A / C2 | Approx. 3.5–4.5 years | 2 years | — |
| Philips HeartStart FRx / HS1 / OnSite / Home | 4 years from installation | 2 years | Battery must be installed before its printed "Install Before" date |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | 4 years from installation | 2 years | Device beeps 30 days before pad expiry — not a fault |
| CU Medical iPAD SP1 | 5 years from installation | Approx. 2–3 years — check packaging | — |
| Mediana HeartOn A15 | 5 years from manufacture date (once fitted); 2-year shelf life if not yet fitted | 2 years from manufacture date | Both clocks run from the manufacture date, not the install date |
These are typical figures per model, drawn from manufacturer documentation. The date printed on your own battery and pads always governs — check it directly rather than relying on this table alone. Replacement pads, batteries and other AED accessories are zero-rated for VAT in Ireland.
↑ Back to topThe HPRA's own guidance: "A record should be kept of the regular maintenance and checks completed as part of the schedule... Ensure that each status check of the defibrillator is recorded in the log." A simple log — date, checked by, indicator status, pad and battery dates — satisfies this.
AED Guardian is a free service from Hayes First Aid that does this automatically. Register your AED and we hold one record of your device — model, serial number and install date — and send pad and battery expiry reminders at 90, 60 and 30 days, so nothing lapses without you noticing. It's open to any AED owner in Ireland, not only Hayes First Aid customers.
↑ Back to top- Civic amenity site — your local site takes both, free of charge.
- Any retailer selling the same type of battery — must accept it back for free, no purchase required.
- Blue battery boxes — found in recycling centres, some shops and schools, suitable for lithium batteries.
- Hayes First Aid take-back — ask about collection as part of a service visit or consumables order.
How often should I check my AED?
No Irish body sets a fixed interval — the HPRA and HSA both say to follow your manufacturer's instructions. This varies a lot by model, from daily to no stated interval at all. Hayes First Aid recommends a monthly documented check as a minimum standard.
What does the ready-for-service indicator mean?
It is your AED's own self-report that it is rescue-ready — pads connected, battery holding charge, no fault detected. The HSA's guidance is clear that this indicator, along with in-date pads and a charged battery, are the three things a regular check should confirm.
How long do AED batteries and pads last?
It depends on the brand and model — typically 4 to 5 years for a battery from installation, and 2 years for pads, though several brands differ. See the lifespan table in Section 04, or register your AED with AED Guardian and we track your exact unit's dates for you.
Can I put an old AED battery or pads in the bin?
No. AED batteries are hazardous waste and pads are WEEE — neither may go in general waste. Your local civic amenity site takes both free of charge, and any retailer selling the same type of battery must accept it back.
↑ Back to topFor help with AED servicing, replacement consumables or registering your device:
Castle Demesne
Newcastle West
Co. Limerick, V42 N220
