Where should fire extinguishers be stored on?

Author: Dr. Dalton Rohan I  |  Last update: Monday, November 17, 2025

Fire extinguishers should always be placed in easily accessible areas in case an emergency requires immediate action. To help prevent damage, mount extinguishers on brackets or place them on a counter top for easy access.

Where are fire extinguishers usually kept?

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.

What is the OSHA rule for fire extinguisher placement?

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.

Why can't fire extinguishers be on the floor?

For one, fire extinguishers placed on the floor may be more k to corrosion. Additionally, dropping an extinguisher can weaken the outer casing or damage operable parts, such as handles . OSHA requires fire extinguishers to be at least four inches above the ground, meaning you cannot store them on the floor .

Can you store a fire extinguisher in a hot garage?

Your fire extinguisher should be stored where it is easily accessible and not exposed to extreme temperatures or moisture. The garage is a good choice because it's usually located near your car, so you can keep an eye on both simultaneously (the car shouldn't be left running unattended).

Buyer's Guide to Marine Fire Extinguishers

Where is the best place to keep a fire extinguisher?

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.

Is it OK to store a fire extinguisher in a car?

You should keep the extinguisher in an easily accessible location, like under a seat or in the glove compartment. If possible, you should also place it in a secure or mounted position so it can't be rolled out of reach during an emergency.

Where not to put a fire extinguisher?

But it shouldn't be installed in the immediate vicinity of the stove, where smoke and flames could block access. If you have a small kitchen, you may need to mount the kitchen extinguisher on a wall in the adjacent room—as long as it's easily accessible from the kitchen.

Where is the proper location of a fire extinguisher?

Place a fire extinguisher near the living room exit and another near any fireplaces or space heaters. Offices – In an office setting, fire extinguishers should be placed near exits, copy rooms, break rooms, and any other areas with electrical devices or flammable materials.

Do fire extinguishers need to be off the floor?

Ones with contents of 3 kg or 3 litres and above should be wall-mounted so that the handles are one metre from the floor. This also includes the common 2kg CO2 extinguisher. Smaller extinguishers need to be mounted so that handles are one and a half metres from the floor level.

Where to hang a fire extinguisher?

Extinguishers need to be located along normal paths of travel. This is because extinguishers should be available to occupants when evacuating. You do not want occupants to move away from an exit and risk being trapped by the fire when trying to retrieve an extinguisher.

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.

How to show fire extinguisher on floor plan?

Fire extinguishers. Use a small fire extinguisher icon and the label "Fire Extinguisher" to show the location of all the extinguishers on your diagram. If there's a fire fighting station on the property, show that as well and label it "Fire Station".

Can you store fire extinguishers laying down?

A modern fire extinguisher can be stored horizontally. The contents are under pressure, and the angle of storage will not cause the system to leak. Proper fire extinguisher storage includes using the appropriate mounting brackets, and being sure that you do not allow your extinguishers to freeze.

What does ABC mean on a fire extinguisher?

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.

Where does OSHA require 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.

Where are fire extinguisher usually kept?

Near Heat Sources

Whether it is your chimney and fireplace, a room heater, or pellet stove, make sure you know exactly where the closest extinguisher is to each heat source. Just like cooking equipment, do not keep the extinguishers right next to the heat source, but at a safe distance away.

Where should fire extinguishers be placed NFPA 101?

If visual obstructions cannot be avoided, then arrows, lights, or signs are needed to help indicate where a fire extinguisher is located. Extinguishers should be placed where they are readily accessible in the event of a fire, which typically includes normal paths of travel.

Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on board?

Keep your fire extinguisher mounted in an easily accessible location. Store it away from spots where fires may suddenly break out, such as your engine or fuel containers. Some high-traffic areas to keep a fire extinguisher are the cabin, kitchen, or bilge.

Where should we put the fire extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers are required to be placed in normal travel paths. These fire safety products must also be located where they're visible at a glance. When installing fire extinguishers in your building, they must be more than four inches off the ground and no higher than 5 feet.

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.

Is it OK to store a fire extinguisher outside?

You can store a fire extinguisher outdoors, however, it must be in a secure place and away from the elements. NEVER store an extinguisher in your garage or shed unless it is locked away, out of sight and protected. If your fire extinguisher is not in use, then it should be stored in a cool, dry place at all times.

Where is the best place to mount a fire extinguisher in a car?

The best place to install it is under the passenger seat

A fire extinguisher in your vehicle should be accessible by the driver in case of emergencies. The best place would be right under the passenger seat.

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 happens if a fire extinguisher gets too hot?

Having said all this, the Underwriters Laboratory test does not guarantee that the fire extinguishers will be effective after exposure to high temperature. It is possible that the valve could leak, slowly releasing pressure or that the heat could alter the chemical composition of the fire retardant.

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