OSHA Fire Extinguisher Requirements

Fire extinguisher selection and distribution depends on the potential hazards in a workplace. Employers must distribute the appropriate class of fire extinguishers at the correct travel distance from the workplace hazards.

Travel distance is the distance an employee must walk to reach the fire extinguisher. It is measured down the center of the natural walking path, including curves around corners, walls and doors. 

These are the different classes of fire extinguishers.

• Class A—Ordinary combustibles: Travel distance must be 75 feet or less.
• Class B—Flammable liquids: Travel distance must be 50 feet or less.
• Class C—Electrical equipment. The travel distance for a Class C fire extinguisher is determined by the A or B hazards present. For offices and warehouses with ordinary combustibles, a Class C extinguisher should follow Class A distance standards. If flammable liquids are present, use the Class B travel distance.
• Class D—Combustible metal: Travel distance must be 75 feet or less.
• Class K—Combustible cooking oils & fats: Travel distance must be 30 feet or less.

In addition, OSHA has the following mounting requirements for portable fire extinguishers.

• For all mounted fire extinguishers, the bottom of the extinguisher must be at least 4 inches off the ground.
• If the extinguisher weighs more than 40 lbs., the top of the extinguisher must be no more than 3.5 feet off the ground
• If the extinguisher weights less than 40 lbs., the top of the extinguisher must be no more than 5 feet off the ground

Pro Tip: Make sure all fire extinguishers and exit signs are placed where they are easily visible and unobstructed.

There are four types of fire extinguisher inspections. 

• Visual inspections should be conducted once a month and verify the extinguisher is easy to access, fully functional and in its designated location.
• Maintenance inspections should be conducted once a year and documented by trained professionals.
• Internal examinations should be conducted and documented by trained technicians at specified intervals. These inspections are generally every 5 years on wet chemical extinguishers and every 6 years on dry chemical extinguishers.
• Hydrostatic testing should be performed by trained technicians at specified intervals. These inspections are generally every 12 years for dry chemical fire extinguishers and every 5 years for wet chemical fire extinguishers.

Be sure that alternate fire protection equipment is available while extinguishers are under inspection and maintenance. After the maintenance inspections, approved extinguishers will receive a date tag and are good for one year from that date. 

OSHA makes some exemptions from commercial fire extinguisher requirements:

• Employers are exempt from the above requirements if they have a written fire safety policy requiring immediate and total evacuation of all employees upon the sounding of a fire alarm. This written policy must include an emergency action plan (29 CFR 1910.38) and fire prevention plan (29 CFR 1910.39).
• Employers are exempt from distribution requirements when the business has an emergency action plan (29 CFR 1910.38) that designates specific authorized employees to use the portable fire extinguishers and requires all other employees to evacuate immediately upon the sounding of the fire alarm.

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