Types of Fire Extinguishers Required - Many city and local Fire Codes requires fire

extinguishers to be provided in all business occupancies to protect both the building

structure and it's contents. For this reason, extinguishers suitable for use on Class A, B
and C fires must be provided.1 The minimum fire extinguisher rating acceptable for use
in business occupancies is 2A-10BC. Extinguishers with higher ratings may be used.
Pressurized water type extinguisher are only rated for use on Class A fires. For this reason
their use shall be discontinued unless special circumstances exist.

Distribution of Fire Extinguishers - Three factors must be considered in determining

the proper distribution of fire extinguishers: the floor area of the protected space; the
maximum travel distance to a fire extinguisher; the location of extinguishers in
relationship to normal paths of exit travel.

a. In office areas, fire extinguishers with a minimum rating of 2A-10BC shall be

provided at the rate of one unit of "A" rating for every 3000 square feet.
b. In mercantile, service, and production areas, fire extinguishers with a minimum
rating of 2A-10BC shall be provided at the rate of one unit of "A" for every 1500
square feet.
c. In storage areas, fire extinguishers with a minimum rating of 4A-40BC (usually
4A-60BC are available) shall be provided at the rate of one unit of "A" rating for
every 1000 square feet.

Extinguishers shall be located along normal paths of exit travel so that no part of the area
protected is more than 75 feet from an extinguisher. Contact the Fire Department prior to
occupancy for approval of number, location, and type of fire extinguishers to be installed.

Inspection, Maintenance, and Recharging of Fire Extinguishers - A thorough

maintenance check of each fire extinguisher must be made on an annual basis. This
maintenance in most states must be performed by someone licensed to do so by the State
Fire Marshal. After the annual maintenance, a tag indicating the date of the maintenance
and the license number of the person performing the maintenance will be attached to each
extinguisher. Please note that new extinguishers will require service if they were not
manufactured during the current year. For example, if the label on the extinguisher
indicates the date of manufacture to be 1991, the extinguisher, even though just
purchased, would require an immediate maintenance check. Additionally, a maintenance
check and recharging is required after any use of an extinguisher. The maintenance check
and recharging is required even if the extinguisher is only partially discharged.

A monthly inspection of the fire extinguisher is also required. The monthly inspection can
be performed by any competent individual and shall include a check of at least the
following items:
 a. Located in designated place.
b. No obstruction to access or visibility.
c. Operating instructions on nameplate legible and facing outward.
d. Determine fullness by weighing or "hefting."
e. Seals of tamper indicators not broken or missing.
f. Examine for obvious physical damage.
g. Pressure gauge reading in the operable range.

A record of the monthly inspections of the fire extinguishers shall be kept on the premises
for a period of not less than one year. The record shall indicate at a minimum, the date of
inspection, the person performing the inspection and any deficiencies noted.

Special Circumstances - Businesses that use hazardous materials such as flammable

metals or flammable and combustible materials have additional fire extinguisher
requirements. Any area where flammable or combustible liquids are used must be within
30 feet of an extinguisher having a minimum rating of 40-BC or 50 feet of an
extinguisher having a rating of 80-BC. These extinguishers may be used to satisfy the
general extinguisher requirements if they also have a minimum "A" rating of 2-A.

Flammable metals require special extinguishers. If you are using these materials please
call the Fire Department for specific requirements.

Businesses with commercial-type food heat processing equipment shall have the same
rating and spacing as for flammable or combustible liquids. Extinguishers used for the
protection of cooking grease fires shall be only of sodium bicarbonate or potassium
bicarbonate dry chemical types.

Providing properly maintained and distributed fire extinguishers is an important

first step in establishing a safe environment in which to live and work
1
Class A fires are those occurring in normal combustibles. Class B fires are fire
involving flammable or combustible liquids. Class C fires are those involving electrical
equipment. Using a fire extinguisher with the wrong rating may actually spread a fire or
result in injury to the person using the extinguisher (in the case of electrical fires).

Classification of Fire Extinguishers

There are four general classifications of fires and extinguishing agents:

Class A

Class A fires are those that involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper,
cloth, rubber and plastics. The quenching and cooling effects of water or of solutions
containing large amounts of water are the most effective means of extinguishing this type
of fire.

Class B

Class B fires are those that occur in the vapor-air mixture over the surface of flammable
liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease, paints and thinners. The limiting of air (oxygen) or
the combustion inhibiting effect is the most effective measure against incipient fires of
this class. Water must not be used on Class B fires because it tends to spread the fire.

Class C

Class C fires are those that occur in or near energized electrical equipment where non-
conducting extinguishing agents must be used. Water must never be used on Class C
fires.

Class D

Class D fires are those that involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium,
zirconium and sodium. Water must never be used on class D fires. A Class D powdered
extinguishing agent should be used.

Appendix 1-Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class A Hazards

Light(Low)Hazard Ordinary(Moderate)Hazard Extra(High)Hazard

Occupancy Occupancy Occupancy
Minimum 2-A 2-A 4-A*
rated single
extinguisher
Maximum 3,000 sq ft** 1,500 sq ft. 1,000 sq ft.
floor area
per unit of
A
Maximum 11,250 sq ft** 11,250 sq ft** 11,250 sq ft**
floor area
for
extinguisher
Maximum 75 ft. 75 ft. 75 ft.
travel
distance to
extinguisher

* Two 2 1/2 gallon (9.46 L) water type extinguishers can be used to fulfill the
requirements of one 4-A rated extinguisher.
** See pamphlet 10, Portable Fire Extinguishers, National Fire Protection Association,
1981 Edition.

Appendix 2-Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class B Fires Other than for Fires
in Flammable Liquids of Appreciable Depth

Type of Hazard (m2) Basic Minimum Maximum Travel

Extinguisher Rating Distance to
Extinguishers (ft.)
Light (Low)
 9.15 5B 30
 15.25 10B 50
Ordinary (Moderate)
 9.15 10B 30
 15.25 20B 50
Extra (High)
 9.15 40B 30
 15.25 80B 50

Appendix 3-Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class C Hazards

Extinguishers with Class C rating shall be required where energized electrical equipment
may be encountered which would require a non-conducting extinguishing medium. This
will include fire either directly involving or surrounding electrical equipment. Since the
fire itself is a Class A or Class B hazard, the extinguishers are sized and located on the
basis of the anticipated Class A or B hazard.