Extinguisher Placement and Spacing |
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Extinguisher
Basics | Extinguisher
Use | Extinguisher
Placement and Spacing Hydrostatic
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Portable
fire extinguishers can be an effective early response
to a developing fire, if they are installed and used properly.
In this section, we are going to review general information
about the placement and spacing of portable fire extinguishers.
If employees use
portable fire extinguishers to fight small fires, they
must be installed in all areas of the workplace. To ensure
each area is protected properly, ask yourself the following
questions: |
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Is the extinguisher readily accessible in the event
of a fire? |
To avoid putting workers in danger, fire
extinguishers should be located throughout the
workplace and readily accessible in the event of a
fire [29 CFR 1910.157(c)].
You can usually find them in hallways, laundry rooms,
meeting rooms, kitchens, mechanical/electrical rooms,
and near exit doors. Selection
and placement
If employees use portable fire extinguishers, they
must be selected and positioned based on the
potential type and size of fire that can occur [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(1)].
The following guidelines will help you identify
the number and types of portable fire extinguishers
you should have.
Type
of Fire |
Size
and Spacing |
Class
A |
The National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) recommends that locations such as
offices, classrooms, and assembly halls that
contain mainly Class A combustible materials
have one 2-A extinguisher for every 3,000
square feet. [Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
(NFPA 10/2007),
Table 6.2.1.1, Fire Extinguisher Size and
Placement for Class A Hazards)].
OSHA requires that
all employees have access to an extinguisher
within 75 feet travel-distance
[29 CFR 1910.157(d)(2)].
Note: Uniformly
spaced standpipe systems or hose stations
connected to a sprinkler system for emergency
use can be used instead of Class A portable
fire extinguishers, if they meet the respective
requirements of [29 CFR 1910.158]
or [29 CFR 1910.159],
provide total coverage of the area to be
protected, and employees are trained at least
annually in their use [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(3)].
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Class
B |
Locations that contain Class B flammables,
such as workshops, storage areas, research
operations, garages, warehouses, or service
and manufacturing areas requires that all
employees have access to an extinguisher
within 50 feet travel-distance [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(4)].
Hazard |
Extinguisher |
Spacing |
Light (Low)
- Small amounts of flammable liquids
used for copy machines, art departments,
etc., that are stored safely and kept
in closed containers. |
5-B |
30' |
10-B |
50' |
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Ordinary (Moderate)
- The total amount of flammable liquids
are present in greater amounts than
expected under low-hazard locations.
This can include garages, workshops,
or support service areas. |
10-B |
30' |
20-B |
50' |
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Extra (High)
- Locations where flammable liquids
are present and used in large quantities.
This includes areas used for storage,
production, woodworking (finishing),
vehicle repair, aircraft and boat servicing,
or where painting, dipping, and coating,
operations are performed with flammable
liquids.
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40-B |
30' |
80-B |
50' |
(Adapted from Standard for Portable Fire
Extinguishers,
NFPA 10
(2007), Table 6.3.1.1, Fire
Extinguisher Size and Placement for
Class B Hazards)
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Class
C |
Class C extinguishers are required where
energized electrical equipment is used. The
extinguisher size and spacing is based on its
Class A or B hazard [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(5)]. |
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Class
D |
Locations where combustible metal powders,
flakes, shavings, or similarly sized materials
are generated at least once every two weeks
must install Class D portable fire
extinguishers not more then 75 feet from the
hazard [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(6)]. |
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Class K |
Locations where potential fire hazards from
combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal
oils and fats) exist must install Class K
extinguishers at a maximum travel distance of
30 feet. [NFPA
10. See Section 6.6, Installations for
Class K Hazards]. |
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For more
information on types of extinguishers, see
Extinguisher
Basics. |
Installation
To prevent
fire extinguishers from being moved or damaged,
they should be mounted on brackets or in wall
cabinets with the carrying handle placed 3-1/2
to 5 feet above the floor. Larger fire extinguishers
need to be mounted at lower heights with the
carrying handle about 3 feet from the floor.
Before installing any portable fire
extinguisher, check the label to be sure it is
approved by a nationally recognized testing
laboratory [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(2)].
Prohibited
fire extinguishers The
following types of portable fire extinguishers
are considered dangerous and should not be
used: |
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1. |
Any
extinguisher having a shell construction of copper or brass joined by soft solder and/or rivets; |
2. |
Any
extinguisher that must be turned upside down
to rupture a cartridge or to start an
uncontrollable pressure generating chemical
reaction to expel the agent [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(5)].
This includes:
- Soda acid
- Foam
- Water-cartridge
- Loaded stream cartridge
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3. |
Extinguishers
that use chlorobromomethane (Halon 1011) or
carbon tetrachloride as an extinguishing
agent. These agents are toxic and carbon
tetrachloride may cause cancer and can produce
phosgene gas (used as a chemical weapon during
World War I) when used on electrical fires [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(3)].
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Is the extinguisher fully charged and working
properly? |
Regular maintenance and inspections of your portable
fire extinguishers will provide assurance that they
will operate effectively and safely if they are
needed [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4)].
Inspect all extinguishers
at least once a month. Use the following checklist
as a guide.
1. |
Is
each extinguisher in its designated place,
clearly visible, and not blocked by equipment,
coats or other objects that could interfere
with access during an emergency? |
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2. |
Is
the nameplate with operating instructions
legible and facing outward? |
3. |
Is
the pressure gauge showing that the extinguisher
is fully charged (the needle should be in
the green zone)? |
4. |
Is
the pin and tamper seal intact? |
5. |
Is
the extinguisher in good condition and showing
no signs of physical damage, corrosion, or
leakage? |
6. |
Have
all dry powder extinguishers been gently rocked
top to bottom to make sure the powder is not
packing? |
NOTE:
If you did not answer
yes to all of these questions, have the extinguisher
fixed or replaced immediately!
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