No, a clear floor space needs to be provided in front of fire extinguishers to allow easy access.
So, they must be visible, readily accessible and immediately available. Most authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) will expect at least 36-inches clearance in front of the extinguisher as long as it is still visible.
Those with gross weights of no more than 40 pounds (lbs.) should be mounted with their carrying handles no higher than 5 feet from the floor. Larger fire extinguishers (over 40 lbs. gross weight) need to be mounted at lower heights, with their carrying handles no more than 3-1/2 feet from the floor.
NFPA 10, paragraph 6.1. 3.7 requires extinguishers that are subject to physical damage from impact, vibration, or envi- ronmental issues to be protected. Two of the most common methods for compliance are installing extinguishers in cabinets or providing covers for the extinguishers.
906.6Unobstructed and unobscured. Portable fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view. In rooms or areas in which visual obstruction cannot be completely avoided, means shall be provided to indicate the locations of extinguishers.
Fire extinguishers meeting BS EN3 are manufactured with a red body and have a band of a second colour covering between 5-10% of the surface relating to the extinguisher's contents.
Extinguishers also need to be installed in places where they're visible, but if an obstruction is unavoidable then there needs to be a sign provided to indicate the extinguisher's location.
Pull: Pull the safety pin located at the top of the fire extinguisher. Aim: Aim the nozzle at the fire's base rather than its top. Squeeze: Squeeze the lever gently to release the extinguishing agent. Sweep: Sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side to sufficiently cover the fire and prevent it from spreading.
If you have a fire extinguisher, it should be placed where it is easily accessible. The kitchen and garage are good sites for an extinguisher.
The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class A fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 m) or less.
For a room of average dimension, a 5-lb fire extinguisher may be sufficient. For larger commercial spaces and warehouses where a fire has more room to spread, a larger 10-lb model may be necessary.
► Travel distance to the extinguisher cannot be more than 30 ft to 50 ft (9.1 m to 15.25 m), depending on the type of hazard and extinguisher rating. ► Required in areas where energized electrical equipment may be encountered. ► Fires involve energized electrical equipment.
Some local fire stations offer fire extinguisher inspections alongside other safety services. However, each fire department is different and some may not offer this service due to liability concerns. Check with your local fire department to see what fire safety services they offer.
Clearance at Fire Alarm Pull Stations
Do not obstruct access to and visual contact with the fire alarm pull station. There must be a minimum of 36 inches of clearance, in a semi circle shape, from the pull station.
The main reason would be it is difficult to locate a fire extinguisher when a fire occurs. By placing the fire extinguisher on the floor, we remove it out of our natural line of sight. This is both a fire hazard and one of the things that SCDF officers look out for during their building inspections.
Fire extinguisher signs should be placed in a highly visible location near the fire extinguisher. They should be easily seen from any angle and should not be blocked by any obstacles. Fire extinguisher signs should be mounted at a height of 5 feet above the floor level or the highest obstruction in the area.
When you purchase a new carbon dioxide, pressurized water, or wet chemical extinguisher, you can expect it to last at least five years. For dry chemical extinguishers, the minimum lifespan is 12 years.
Fire code violations are actions or conditions that violate regulations designed to promote fire safety and prevent fires. Ensuring fire safety in commercial and residential buildings is not just a legal obligation but a critical responsibility that can save lives.
OSHA Fire Extinguisher Sign Requirements
The Federal OSHA regulation 1910.157(c) states, “the employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.”
Every fire extinguisher must be placed in a visible and easy-to-reach location with the label facing out. They should be installed along hallways, in meeting rooms, near exit doors, and in other common locations. Where visibility is obstructed, visual aids must be provided.
Did you think there was a fire and there wasn't? In both of these cases there would be no legal repercussions, unless you damaged something, which is possible using a dry chemical extinguisher around electrical equipment. If it was malicious however there could be charges.
The letter on a fire extinguisher indicates its classification: Class A puts out ordinary combustible fires (wood, paper, plastic, etc.) Class B puts out flammable liquid fires (oil, gas, petroleum, etc.) Class C puts out electrical fires.