Inspection of Portable Fire Extinguishers
Regular maintenance and inspections of your portable fire extinguishers will provide assurance that they will operate effectively and safely if they are needed. Additional information - OSHA 1910.157(c)(4)
Inspect all extinguishers at least once a month.
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?
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?
INSTALLATION OF PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
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.
The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.
An Employer must:
- Provide portable fire extinguishers for employee use and select and distribute the extinguishers based on the types of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard that would affect their use. 1910.157(d)(1)
- Ensure that the travel distance for employees to any Class A extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 meters) or less. 1910.157(d)(2)
- Ensure that the travel distance for employees to any Class B extinguisher is 50 feet (15.2 meters) or less. 1910.157(d)(4)
- Base the travel distance for employees to any Class C extinguisher on the pattern for the existing Class A or Class B extinguishers. 1910.157(d)(5)
- Ensure that the travel distance for employees from the combustible metal working area to any Class D extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 meters) or less. Portable fire extinguishers for Class D hazards are required in areas where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, or similarly sized products are generated at least once every two weeks. 1910.157(d)(6)
In addition to an external visual examination, the employer shall assure that an internal examination of cylinders and shells to be tested is made prior to the hydrostatic tests.
Type of Extinguishers |
Test interval (years) |
Soda acid (soldered brass shells) (until 1/1/82) |
(1) |
1. Extinguishers having shells constructed of copper or brass joined by soft solder or rivets shall not be hydrostatically tested and shall be removed from service by January 1, 1982.
