How many fire extinguishers do I need in my house?

Author: Derek Gerlach  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

One for Each Floor How many floors does your home have? One good place to start when determining how many fire extinguishers you need is purchasing one for each floor of your home. This includes your basement and attic—even if you don't regularly use either of those spaces.

How many fire extinguishers do most homes need?

You should have extinguishers in primary living areas, the kitchen, garage, and at least one on each story of the home. If you live in a small, one-story home, then one might be enough. In this case, it is best to locate it in the kitchen because this is where the majority of home fires originate.

How do I calculate how many fire extinguishers I need?

Calculate Based on Square Footage:
  1. For buildings less than 3,000 square feet, at least one 2-A:10-B:C fire extinguisher is required.
  2. For buildings between 3,000 and 6,000 square feet in size, at least two 2-A:10-B:C fire extinguishers are required.

Where should fire extinguishers be located in a home?

The kitchen and garage are good sites for an extinguisher. However, do not place an extinguisher over the stove or buried in storage in the garage, but rather hang it on the wall no less than 4 inches or greater than 5 feet from the ground.

Does every room need a fire extinguisher?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides minimum recommendations for the home: Primary Fire Extinguishers - For your main home protection, install a 2-A:10-B:C rated extinguisher on every level of your home - no more than 40 feet apart. Include all locations where a fire may start.

How Many Fire Extinguishers Do I Need for My Home?

What is the best all round fire extinguisher for a home?

The best overall home fire extinguisher is the ABC Dry Powder. This is simply due to how versatile this fire extinguisher is. There are many pros to purchasing a dry powder fire extinguisher.

How many fire extinguisher do I need in my house?

The how many is not always easy to gauge but, as a general rule, you will need one water-based extinguisher such as water, water additive (the best option for most) or foam (3 litre or bigger) for every 2000 square foot or 200 square metres of floor space. This is per floor.

What is the 75 rule for fire extinguishers?

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.

What determines the number of fire extinguishers required?

There are two main factors to consider when determining how many fire extinguishers you will need: the square footage of the building and the building's hazard level.

Do fire departments refill fire extinguishers for free?

Please, do not try to burn it. 4. Will the Fire Department refill my fire extinguisher? The Fire Department does not refill fire extinguishers.

Does having a fire extinguisher lower insurance?

In some cases, installing low-cost safety features and security upgrades such as alarms and fire extinguishers can translate into a reduced home insurance premium.

Do fire extinguishers expire?

Disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years. Rechargeable fire extinguishers should be taken to an experienced fire equipment service company and inspected/recharged every 6 years, especially if used in a commercial application or in an uncontrolled temperature setting.

Is it illegal to not have a fire extinguisher in your house?

Fire extinguishers are required in most commercial, industrial and residential buildings. The only buildings where fire extinguishers are not mandated are family homes.

What is a good size fire extinguisher for a home?

Fire Extinguisher Sizes in the Home

Except for the kitchen and the garage, most experts recommend 5-10 lb. fire extinguisher every 40 feet.

Does Walmart sell fire extinguishers?

Fire Extinguishers (Pressurized) Fire Extinguishers in Fire Extinguishers and Brackets - Walmart.com.

How much does it cost to get a fire extinguisher inspected?

Making sure the systems are working and can work at a moment's notice are often checked by more experienced inspectors. Inspections usually cost between $40 to $100 dollars depending on the immediacy and size of business.

What is the golden rule of fire extinguishers?

The golden rule is that only one extinguisher is used. If that fails to extinguish the fire, STOP and leave.

How many fire extinguishers do I require?

The National Fire Protection Association recommends a 2-A: 10-B:C fire extinguisher for each level of your house and a higher-rated extinguisher, such as a 3-A: 40B-C Garage/Workshop unit for your garage. Regular fire extinguishers may not work with a fire caused by electricity, such as burning electrical wires.

How to calculate the number of fire extinguishers required?

There should be a minimum of 2 extinguishers per floor, unless the upper floor area is very small, i.e. below 100m2, and in single occupancy, in which case, only one extinguisher is required on the upper floor.

Is there a fire extinguisher in every house?

Every house should have a working fire extinguisher. Most households would be well served with a multi-purpose ABC dry-chemical fire extinguisher. Every extinguisher is identified by symbols, indicating the type of fires they can extinguish. Be sure that all three symbols are there.

What type of fire extinguisher is best for kitchens?

Class F wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed for kitchen fires that occur in both domestic and commercial kitchens. They are very effective in putting out both grease fires and oil fires through the process of saponification.

What is the most common household fire extinguisher?

The most common is an A:B:C fire extinguisher that can handle the three most common types of fires you'll want to guard against in your home.

Which is better ABC or CO2 fire extinguisher?

While ABC extinguishers are versatile and can combat a wide range of fires, CO2 extinguishers are specifically designed for electrical and flammable liquid fires. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the environment and the types of hazards one may encounter.

Can you still use a dry powder fire extinguisher?

Standard dry powder fire extinguishers are very versatile and can put out virtually every kind of fire. However, they aren't recommended for use in enclosed spaces. See the link for a full article explaining the correct use of fire extinguishers in confined spaces.

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