NFPA 10 provides requirements to ensure that portable fire extinguishers will work as intended to provide a first line of defense against fires of limited size.
1.1* Scope. The provisions of this standard apply to the selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, and testing of portable extinguishing equipment. 1.1.1 Portable fire extinguishers are intended as a first line of defense to cope with fires of limited size. 1.1.2 The selection and installation of extinguishers is independent of whether the building is equipped with automatic sprinklers, standpipe and hose, or other fixed protection equipment. (See 5.5.5, 6.1.1.1, 6.2.1.1, and 6.2.1.5.) 1.1.3 The requirements given herein are minimum. 1.1.4 The requirements do not apply to permanently installed systems for fire extinguishment, even where portions of such systems are portable (such as hose and nozzles attached to a fixed supply of extinguishing agent
Criteria cover installations for Class A, B, C, D, and K hazards as well as the selection, inspection, maintenance, recharging, and testing of portable fire extinguishing equipment. Includes a list of obsolete fire extinguishers that should be removed from service.
You already know that fire extinguishers are some of the most important things you can have installed in your building to keep you safe from fires. In addition to NFPA regulations, there are a number of OSHA requirements you must meet regarding your fire extinguishers:
You are responsible for placing your fire extinguishers where they are easily identifiable and accessible.
You are responsible for making sure all the fire extinguishers in your building are professionally inspected, maintained, and testedonce yearly according to NFPA requirements. Confires will tag all of your fire extinguishers with the date of the inspection, the signature of the tester, and the serial number of the extinguisher tested, in accordance with OSHA requirements.
You must visually inspect your fire extinguishers at least once a month (click here to learn more about monthly fire extinguisher inspections).
It’s that time of year again: trees in shop windows, (electric) candles all around and of course, furnaces, fireplaces, space heaters and all manner of potentially flammable devices. It’s around this time many fire departments in your area will be hosting a variety of different events to show people just why they need to take extra precautions this holiday season. Every year, fire departments respond to an average of 210 building fires (residential and commercial) caused by holiday trees. If you’re planning on putting up a Christmas tree in your building, be sure to follow these tips to prevent your holiday cheer from turning your business to coal!
Society of Fire Protection Engineers
United States Fire Administration
Alliance for Fire and Smoke Containment and Control
American National Standards Institute
Assortment of Fire Extinguishers and Extinguishing Systems
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
National Association of State Fire Marshals
Fire Extinguisher Education and Training
International Code Council (ICC)
National Safety Council
The National Fire Protection Association
Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Sprinkler Association
National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
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