What is the safe distance between fire extinguishers?

Author: Vada Nikolaus  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

For Class A hazards, each extinguisher must be 2A or larger with a maximum travel distance of 75 feet between extinguishers. If Class B hazards are present, 10B extinguishers should be positioned so the travel distance for an occupant to reach any extinguisher is 50 feet or less.

How far apart should fire extinguishers be from each other?

Instead, portable fire extinguishers should be placed every 106 ft to take advantage of the coverage area per extinguisher and conforming to the shape of most rooms (see Figure 4 below). This of course assumes that there are no dividing walls that would impede the path to an extinguisher.

What is the OSHA requirement for fire extinguisher distance?

The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers or other containers of Class D extinguishing agent for use by employees so that the travel distance from the combustible metal working area to any extinguishing agent is 75 feet (22.9 m) or less.

What is the maximum distance between two fire extinguishers?

Generally, between two standard size fire extinguishers (For eg. ABC 6Kg, CO2 4.5kg, Water Co2 9 Liter, et al), there should be maximum distance of 15m (50 feet).

What is the fire extinguisher clearance rule?

Most authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) will expect at least 36-inches clearance in front of the extinguisher as long as it is still visible. They “borrow” this 36-inch clearance measurement from NFPA 70-2011, Article 110.26 for electrical control panels.

What is a Safe Distance to Operate Fire Extinguishers?

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.

What are some common fire extinguisher violations of OSHA regulations?

OSHA fire extinguisher violations usually happen for a host of reasons.
  • Improper fire extinguishers are supplied, or they're not distributed across your facility adequately. Remember, not all fire extinguishers are created equally.
  • Fire extinguishers aren't maintained. ...
  • Lack of fire extinguisher inspection records.

What is the advised distance to use a fire extinguisher?

What is the advised distance to use a fire extinguisher from? Officially, it is between 8 and 12 feet if possible.

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.

What is the NFPA code for fire extinguishers?

NFPA 10 requires that fire extinguishers be serviced annually by a certified technician, which includes a thorough inspection, and, if needed, maintenance, testing, and recharging.

What are the guidelines for fire extinguishers?

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.

How far apart are Cal OSHA fire extinguishers?

Cal OSHA mandates different distribution requirements within the building for each extinguisher class. Class A and D fire extinguishers must be supplied every 75 feet or less; Class B extinguishers every 50 feet or less; Class K extinguishers are required every 30 feet.

Is it illegal to use a fire extinguisher when there is no fire?

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.

What are the OSHA rules for fire extinguishers?

A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, shall be provided within 50 feet of wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the jobsite. This requirement does not apply to the integral fuel tanks of motor vehicles.

What is the rule of thumb for fire extinguishers?

Fire extinguisher spacing is addressed in NFPA 10 (Standard for portable fire extinguishers) section 6.2. 1.1. The standard rule of thumb is a travel distance of no more than 75 feet for class “A” hazards and fifty feet travel distance for class “B” hazards.

What is the maximum placement distance of Class ABC fire extinguisher?

General Placement distance as per the class of fire as per IS 2190 is mentioned below; Class A, B and C Fire Hazard – Fire Extinguisher within 15 m travel distance. Class D, F and Special Fire Hazard – Fire extinguisher within 10 m travel distance.

What is the distance between fire extinguishers as per NFPA?

1.1 of NFPA 10. ► To determine the minimum number of extinguish- ers needed, divide the total floor area by the maxi- mum floor area to be protected per extinguisher. ► Travel distance to the extinguisher can't be more than 75 ft (22.9 m).

How many feet should you have a fire extinguisher for every home?

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.

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.

What is the space between fire extinguishers?

For Light (Low) and Ordinary (Moderate) hazard occupancies, the minimum fire extinguisher designation shall be 2-A:10 B:C. (Commonly known as a "5 lb." extinguisher). Maximum travel distance to extinguishers shall not exceed 75 feet. 2½ pound, or "kitchen extinguishers" are not addressed in the fire code.

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.

How far should fire extinguishers be placed?

OSHA also states that all employees must have access to an extinguisher within 75 feet (22.9m) travel distance or less, and should have annual training on how to use the extinguishers if the situation arises, as well as training on understanding which types of fire they should try to tackle if they feel safe to do so.

How many square feet does a fire extinguisher cover?

Coverage Area to Extinguishers (sq.

2A 10B:C 75 feet Maximum coverage of 1,500 square feet per unit of A (thus a 2A extinguisher can cover 3,000 sq. ft.)

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