Q: Why do I need a Fire Extinguisher in my business?
A: It’s the law in California and virtually every employer already provides portable fire extinguishers in the workplace. The California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 8, Section 6151 details the regulatory standards for fire extinguishers; The California State Fire Marshal, Cal OSHA, business/corporate liability insurance and the authority having jurisdiction (i.e. local Fire Marshal) are the government agencies that inspect and enforce the requirements. Employers are frequently cited for the lack of supplying, improper storage, maintenance, recordkeeping, and employee training required with fire extinguishers.
Q: When should I have my Fire Extinguisher serviced?
A: NFPA Code 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers Section 6.3.1 details the frequency for fire extinguisher maintenance and their service by law. Fire extinguishers shall be subjected to maintenance at intervals of not more than one year, at the time of hydrostatic test, or when specifically indicated by an inspection or electronic notification.
Inspection, maintenance, and testing are required for fire extinguishers. They must be fully charged and in operable condition at all times; when they are removed for service, equivalent equipment must be provided. An annual maintenance check and recharge by a trained person are mandatory. For optimum service, fire extinguishers require hydrostatic testing every 5 to 12 years by a trained person with suitable testing equipment and facilities. The annual service and periodic testing must be documented on the fire extinguisher service tag.
OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
TITLE 19. PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION 1. STATE FIRE MARSHAL
§ 1.14. Maintenance. Every fire alarm system or device, sprinkler system, fire extinguisher, fire hose, fire resistive assembly or any other fire safety assembly, device, material or equipment installed and retained in service in any building or structure subject to these regulations shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with these regulations and with their intended use.
Q: Do my employees need to know about fire extinguishers?
A: Employee training is required; it must cover the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with beginning stage fire fighting. Training should include reporting fires, evaluating fire size, using the provided extinguishers, and maintaining an exit route. This training should be provided when first employed, when assigned to an emergency response team, and at least annually thereafter. Training records should be documented per OSHA standards.
Q: How many and what type of extinguishers do I need?
A: Employers must evaluate the fire hazards and sizes that might occur in their workplace and choose which type and capacity fire extinguishers to provide:
Class A fires include wood, paper and textiles
Class B fires include flammable liquids
Class C fires include electrical equipment
Class D fires include metal powders and shavings
Class K fire extinguishers are required for commercial and restaurant kitchens
Cal OSHA mandates different distribution requirements within the building for each extinguisher class. Class A and D fire extinguishers must be supplied every 75 feet or less; Class B extinguishers every 50 feet or less; Class K extinguishers are required every 30 feet. Class C extinguishers should be distributed based on the pattern for existing Class A or Class B hazards. Fire extinguishers should be securely mounted on the wall or inside a cabinet. They must be accessible at all times. Furniture and storage materials should not block access. Employees require training on building fire extinguisher locations; evacuation maps can be marked with the locations.
Q: Where can I find more information on these laws and regulations?
A: You can visit the Office of the State Fire Marshall website directly at: http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/strucfireengineer/pdf/fe/FeStudyGuide.pdf Please refer to pages 40, 41 Section 575.1 and Section 575.2 for maintenance guidelines. Per California Civil Code, please see Nation Fire Protection Association standards on frequency of portable fire extinguisher service in reference # 7.3.1.1.1
Or for information from the National Fire Protection Association please see:
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/CodesStandards/TIAErrataFI/FI10.pdf
A: It’s the law in California and virtually every employer already provides portable fire extinguishers in the workplace. The California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 8, Section 6151 details the regulatory standards for fire extinguishers; The California State Fire Marshal, Cal OSHA, business/corporate liability insurance and the authority having jurisdiction (i.e. local Fire Marshal) are the government agencies that inspect and enforce the requirements. Employers are frequently cited for the lack of supplying, improper storage, maintenance, recordkeeping, and employee training required with fire extinguishers.
Q: When should I have my Fire Extinguisher serviced?
A: NFPA Code 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers Section 6.3.1 details the frequency for fire extinguisher maintenance and their service by law. Fire extinguishers shall be subjected to maintenance at intervals of not more than one year, at the time of hydrostatic test, or when specifically indicated by an inspection or electronic notification.
Inspection, maintenance, and testing are required for fire extinguishers. They must be fully charged and in operable condition at all times; when they are removed for service, equivalent equipment must be provided. An annual maintenance check and recharge by a trained person are mandatory. For optimum service, fire extinguishers require hydrostatic testing every 5 to 12 years by a trained person with suitable testing equipment and facilities. The annual service and periodic testing must be documented on the fire extinguisher service tag.
OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
TITLE 19. PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION 1. STATE FIRE MARSHAL
§ 1.14. Maintenance. Every fire alarm system or device, sprinkler system, fire extinguisher, fire hose, fire resistive assembly or any other fire safety assembly, device, material or equipment installed and retained in service in any building or structure subject to these regulations shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with these regulations and with their intended use.
Q: Do my employees need to know about fire extinguishers?
A: Employee training is required; it must cover the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with beginning stage fire fighting. Training should include reporting fires, evaluating fire size, using the provided extinguishers, and maintaining an exit route. This training should be provided when first employed, when assigned to an emergency response team, and at least annually thereafter. Training records should be documented per OSHA standards.
Q: How many and what type of extinguishers do I need?
A: Employers must evaluate the fire hazards and sizes that might occur in their workplace and choose which type and capacity fire extinguishers to provide:
Class A fires include wood, paper and textiles
Class B fires include flammable liquids
Class C fires include electrical equipment
Class D fires include metal powders and shavings
Class K fire extinguishers are required for commercial and restaurant kitchens
Cal OSHA mandates different distribution requirements within the building for each extinguisher class. Class A and D fire extinguishers must be supplied every 75 feet or less; Class B extinguishers every 50 feet or less; Class K extinguishers are required every 30 feet. Class C extinguishers should be distributed based on the pattern for existing Class A or Class B hazards. Fire extinguishers should be securely mounted on the wall or inside a cabinet. They must be accessible at all times. Furniture and storage materials should not block access. Employees require training on building fire extinguisher locations; evacuation maps can be marked with the locations.
Q: Where can I find more information on these laws and regulations?
A: You can visit the Office of the State Fire Marshall website directly at: http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/strucfireengineer/pdf/fe/FeStudyGuide.pdf Please refer to pages 40, 41 Section 575.1 and Section 575.2 for maintenance guidelines. Per California Civil Code, please see Nation Fire Protection Association standards on frequency of portable fire extinguisher service in reference # 7.3.1.1.1
Or for information from the National Fire Protection Association please see:
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/CodesStandards/TIAErrataFI/FI10.pdf