1 Scope
NOTE This standard covers the selection, distribution, mounting, identification, installation, and ongoing inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers and the cabinets and brackets that house them in buildings. (1.1)
NOTE Portable fire extinguishers are the first line of manual fire suppression in nearly every occupancy, intended to be used by occupants or trained staff to control or extinguish an incipient fire before it grows beyond the capability of a hand-carried unit and before the fire department arrives; because they are the most numerous and most widely distributed fire-protection appliance in a building, errors in their selection, placement, or maintenance are common and consequential. (1.2)
NOTE The scope covers the extinguisher unit itself (cylinder, agent, valve, hose or nozzle, gauge, and bracket), the means by which it is mounted or stored (wall bracket, hanger, recessed cabinet, semi-recessed cabinet, or surface-mounted cabinet), the identification signage that directs occupants to the extinguisher, the requirements for the placement and distribution of units so that every point in the building is within the maximum travel distance permitted for the hazard present, and the placement of specialized extinguishers for specific hazards such as Class K wet-chemical units adjacent to commercial cooking appliances and Class D units adjacent to combustible-metal operations. (1.3)
1.4 Governing Codes and Standards
1.4.1NFPA 10 governs the technical requirements; IBC/IFC Section 906 governs where extinguishers are required and establishes that they shall be conspicuously located and immediately available along normal paths of travel.
1.4.2Portable fire extinguishers shall be selected, located, installed, inspected, maintained, and tested in accordance with NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, in the current edition adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
1.4.3Portable fire extinguishers shall comply with the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Building Code (IBC) Section 906 as adopted locally.
1.4.4Where a local amendment modifies either document, the local amendment shall govern unless it is less stringent than the base standard, in which case the base standard shall govern.
1.5 Project-Specific Quantities and Locations
NOTE The selection and distribution of portable fire extinguishers is determined by the hazard present in each area of the building, which varies by occupancy and use. (1.5.1)
1.5.2This standard establishes the requirements each unit and cabinet shall meet; the drawings establish how many are provided and where.
2 Referenced Standards
2.1Selection, construction, installation, and maintenance shall comply with the current adopted editions of the following standards.
| Standard |
Title |
| NFPA 10 |
Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers |
| NFPA 96 |
Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations |
| IBC |
International Building Code, Section 906 (Portable Fire Extinguishers) |
| IFC |
International Fire Code, Section 906 (Portable Fire Extinguishers) |
| ANSI/UL 711 |
Rating and Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishers |
| ANSI/UL 299 |
Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers |
| ANSI/UL 154 |
Carbon-Dioxide Fire Extinguishers |
| ANSI/UL 2129 |
Halocarbon Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers |
| ANSI/UL 8 |
Water-Based Agent Fire Extinguishers |
| ANSI/UL 626 |
Water Fire Extinguishers (with antifreeze) |
| UL 1093 |
Halogenated Agent Fire Extinguishers |
| ICC A117.1 |
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities |
| ADA |
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards |
| ASTM E814 (UL 1479) |
Fire Tests of Penetration Firestop Systems (for fire-rated cabinets in rated walls) |
| 49 CFR 180 |
DOT requirements for hydrostatic testing of compressed-gas cylinders |
2.2Where standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless directed otherwise by the Engineer of Record in writing.
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
3.1.1The Contractor shall submit the following for the Engineer of Record's review and the AHJ's approval prior to procurement and installation:
- Product data for each extinguisher type, including the agent, nominal agent weight or capacity, the UL listing standard, the UL fire-test rating (e.g., 4-A:80-B:C), the cylinder hydrostatic-test rating, and the operating-temperature range
- Product data for each cabinet type, including the mounting style (recessed, semi-recessed, or surface-mounted), the rough-opening dimensions, the door style and material, the trim projection beyond the finished wall, and the fire-resistance listing where the cabinet is installed in a fire-rated wall
- Product data for each bracket or hanger type for bracket-mounted (non-cabinet) extinguishers, including the listed extinguisher weight range the bracket is rated to support
- Extinguisher location and distribution plan demonstrating that every point in each protected area is within the maximum travel distance for the applicable fire class and hazard level per NFPA 10, with the hazard classification of each area identified
- Identification and signage schedule showing the type, size, and mounting height of each extinguisher location sign
- For Class K extinguishers, the required placard text confirming that the fixed kitchen suppression system is to be actuated prior to using the extinguisher, with text approved by the AHJ
☐ Extinguisher product data with UL rating and listing standard
☐ Cabinet product data with projection and fire rating
☐ Bracket / hanger product data with rated weight range
☐ Extinguisher distribution plan with hazard classification and travel distances
☐ Identification and signage schedule
☐ Class K placard text approved by AHJ (where applicable)
NOTE Submittal review confirms extinguisher selection, distribution, and cabinet type against the life-safety plan; deficiencies caught here are far less expensive than units replaced after installation because the wrong agent, rating, or cabinet projection was furnished. (3.1.2)
3.2 Closeout Submittals
3.2.1The following shall be submitted at substantial completion before the extinguisher installation is accepted:
- Operation and maintenance manual including the type, rating, and location of every extinguisher, the NFPA 10 inspection and maintenance schedule, and the manufacturer's service instructions for each unit
- Initial installation inspection record confirming that each extinguisher is fully charged, correctly located, correctly mounted, and tagged with the date placed in service
- As-built extinguisher location plan reflecting field changes from the reviewed distribution plan
- Warranty documentation for all extinguishers and cabinets carrying a manufacturer warranty
☐ Operation and maintenance manual
☐ Initial installation inspection record with service tags
☐ As-built extinguisher location plan
☐ Manufacturer warranty documentation
4 Quality Assurance
4.1 Product Listing
4.1.1Every extinguisher shall bear a UL fire-test rating and shall be listed to the construction standard applicable to its agent type.
4.1.2Every portable fire extinguisher shall be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and shall bear a UL fire-test rating established under ANSI/UL 711.
4.1.3The extinguisher shall additionally be listed under the agent-specific construction standard applicable to its type: ANSI/UL 299 for dry-chemical and dry-powder units, ANSI/UL 154 for carbon-dioxide units, ANSI/UL 2129 for halocarbon clean-agent units, and ANSI/UL 8 or UL 626 for water-based units.
4.1.4An extinguisher that bears a rating but is not listed to its construction standard, or that bears no UL fire-test rating at all, shall not be accepted.
4.2 Installer Qualifications
NOTE In most jurisdictions, the servicing of portable fire extinguishers is a licensed activity. (4.2.1)
4.2.2Initial placement-in-service inspection, recharging, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers shall be performed by persons certified or licensed as required by the state and local jurisdiction.
4.2.3The technician affixing the service tag shall hold the applicable state certification.
4.2.4The Contractor shall confirm the local licensing requirement before assigning the work.
4.3 Coordination with the Life-Safety Plan
4.3.1The hazard classification of each area, the fire classes present, and the resulting extinguisher selection and distribution shall be confirmed against the architectural life-safety plan and the Engineer of Record's hazard analysis before procurement.
4.3.2The Contractor shall not assume that a single extinguisher type satisfies the entire building.
NOTE A common and serious error is to furnish a uniform building-wide extinguisher selection (typically multipurpose ABC dry chemical) without separately addressing areas with special hazards — commercial kitchens requiring Class K units, electrical and electronics rooms where a clean agent or CO2 is preferred to avoid residue, and combustible-metal operations requiring Class D units. (4.3.3)
5 Fire Classification and Hazard Analysis
5.1 Fire Classes Present
NOTE Portable fire extinguishers are selected to match the class of fire anticipated in the area they protect. (5.1.1)
NOTE The fire classes are defined by the combustible material involved, and an extinguisher is rated for the classes its agent can safely and effectively extinguish. (5.1.2)
- Class A — ordinary combustibles: wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many plastics.
- Class B — flammable and combustible liquids and gases: gasoline, oil, solvents, and grease (excluding cooking media).
- Class C — fires involving energized electrical equipment, where the non-conductivity of the agent is essential.
- Class D — combustible metals: magnesium, sodium, titanium, lithium, and similar.
- Class K — cooking media (vegetable and animal oils and fats) in commercial cooking appliances.
☐ Class A — ordinary combustibles
☐ Class B — flammable / combustible liquids and gases
☐ Class C — energized electrical equipment
☐ Class D — combustible metals
☐ Class K — commercial cooking media
5.1.3The fire classes present in each area shall be identified during the hazard analysis.
NOTE Most general occupancies (offices, classrooms, retail, corridors) present Class A and Class B hazards together with energized electrical equipment, and are protected by a single multipurpose unit rated for A, B, and C; special-hazard areas require a separately selected unit for the class of fire present. (5.1.4)
5.2 Occupancy Hazard Classification
NOTE NFPA 10 classifies the hazard of an area as light (low), ordinary (moderate), or extra (high), based on the amount and combustibility of the Class A material and the amount of flammable Class B liquids present. (5.2.1)
5.2.2The hazard classification determines the minimum extinguisher rating, the maximum floor area a single extinguisher may protect, and (together with the rating) the maximum travel distance.
Light (low) hazard
Ordinary (moderate) hazard
Extra (high) hazard
NOTE Light-hazard occupancies include offices, classrooms, churches, and assembly areas where the quantity of combustibles is low; ordinary-hazard occupancies include mercantile, light manufacturing, parking garages, and warehouses with moderate combustible loading; extra-hazard occupancies include woodworking, vehicle repair, aircraft hangars, and areas with significant flammable-liquid handling or storage. (5.2.3)
5.2.4The hazard classification shall be determined area-by-area, not building-wide.
5.2.5The Designer shall classify each area on the life-safety plan.
NOTE A single building commonly contains light-hazard offices, an ordinary-hazard parking level, and an extra-hazard maintenance shop, each requiring a different extinguisher rating and distribution. (5.2.6)
6 Extinguisher Selection
6.1 Agent Type
6.1.1The extinguishing agent shall be selected to match the fire classes present and the sensitivity of the protected contents to agent residue and corrosion.
NOTE Multipurpose (ABC) dry chemical, based on monoammonium phosphate, is the dominant general-purpose agent because a single unit covers Class A, B, and C fires and is inexpensive and effective. (6.1.2)
NOTE Its disadvantage is that the discharged powder is mildly corrosive and leaves a residue that is damaging to electronics and difficult to clean, which is why clean-agent and CO2 units are preferred in data centers, electrical rooms, laboratories, and similar sensitive spaces. (6.1.3)
NOTE Carbon-dioxide (CO2) agent is rated for Class B and Class C fires, leaves no residue, and is non-conductive, making it well suited to energized electrical equipment and laboratories. (6.1.4)
NOTE CO2 has no Class A rating of consequence and a limited discharge range, so it is not a general-purpose agent. (6.1.5)
NOTE Halocarbon clean agent (a non-ozone-depleting halocarbon listed to UL 2129) is rated for Class A, B, and C fires, leaves no residue, and is the preferred agent where the protected contents are both combustible (Class A) and residue-sensitive — server rooms, telecommunications spaces, and museum or archive areas. (6.1.6)
NOTE Wet chemical, listed for Class K, is the required agent for commercial cooking media; it cools and saponifies hot oil and is the only agent suited to deep-fat fryers and griddles. (6.1.7)
6.1.8Water and water-mist units protect Class A hazards only; water-mist units are additionally rated for Class C because the fine, non-conductive mist does not bridge an electrical path, and are used where water damage must be minimized.
NOTE Dry-powder agent (distinct from dry chemical) is the only agent for Class D combustible-metal fires and is specific to the metal being protected. (6.1.9)
Multipurpose dry chemical (ABC) — monoammonium phosphate
Carbon dioxide (CO2) — Class B and C
Halocarbon clean agent — Class A, B, and C, residue-free
Wet chemical — Class K commercial cooking media
Water (air-pressurized) — Class A only
Water mist — Class A and C, low residue
Dry powder — Class D combustible metals
6.2 UL Fire-Test Rating
6.2.1Each extinguisher shall bear a UL fire-test rating established under ANSI/UL 711, expressed as a numeral-and-letter classification such as 4-A:80-B:C.
NOTE The numeral preceding "A" indicates the Class A extinguishing capacity (the relative quantity of Class A fire the unit will extinguish; a numeral of 1 corresponds to approximately 1.25 gallons of water equivalent). (6.2.2)
NOTE The numeral preceding "B" indicates the approximate area, in square feet, of a flammable-liquid fire the unit will extinguish in the hands of a trained operator. (6.2.3)
NOTE The letter "C" carries no numeral and indicates only that the agent is non-conductive and safe for use on energized electrical equipment. (6.2.4)
2-A:10-B:C (light hazard, general)
3-A:40-B:C
4-A:60-B:C
4-A:80-B:C (common ordinary-hazard standard)
6-A:80-B:C
10-B:C (Class B/C only, e.g., CO2)
Higher rating as required by hazard analysis
6.2.5The selected rating shall meet or exceed the minimum required for the area's hazard classification.
6.3 Minimum Class A Rating by Hazard
6.3.1The minimum Class A rating shall comply with NFPA 10 for the area's hazard classification.
6.3.2The minimum rating for any Class A extinguisher shall be 2-A regardless of hazard.
6.3.3Light-hazard areas shall have a minimum 2-A rating.
6.3.4Ordinary-hazard areas shall have a minimum 2-A rating with closer spacing and reduced maximum floor area per unit.
NOTE Higher ratings allow a single unit to protect a larger floor area and may reduce the total number of units required, subject always to the maximum travel-distance limit. (6.3.6)
6.4 Extinguisher Size and Agent Capacity
6.4.1The nominal agent capacity shall be selected so that the unit achieves the required rating while remaining light enough for the intended user to carry and operate.
NOTE For multipurpose dry chemical, a nominal 5 lb unit is typical for light-hazard office and corridor use, a 10 lb unit (commonly rated 4-A:80-B:C) is the workhorse for ordinary-hazard areas, and 20 lb units are used in extra-hazard areas. (6.4.2)
2.5 lb
5 lb
10 lb
20 lb
Wheeled unit (30 lb or larger)
○ No — hand-carried units throughout
○ Yes — wheeled units at extra-hazard locations
NOTE Units heavier than these standard capacities shall be mounted lower and may be impractical for general occupant use. (6.4.3)
6.4.4Wheeled units shall be provided where the required agent quantity exceeds what can be hand-carried.
6.5 Class K Extinguishers for Commercial Cooking
NOTE The Class K extinguisher is secondary protection; the primary protection is the fixed automatic hood-suppression system, and the portable unit is intended for use only after that system has discharged. (6.5.1)
○ Not applicable — no commercial cooking media present
○ Required — Class K wet-chemical unit with AHJ-approved placard
6.5.2Where commercial cooking equipment involving vegetable or animal oils and fats is present, a Class K wet-chemical extinguisher shall be provided as required by IBC/IFC Section 906 and NFPA 96.
6.5.3A placard shall be conspicuously placed near each Class K extinguisher stating that the fixed system is to be actuated prior to using the extinguisher, with text approved by the AHJ.
6.5.4Class K units shall be located within a travel distance not exceeding 30 ft from the cooking appliance.
6.6.1The agent and the application rate differ by metal, and an agent listed for one combustible metal may be ineffective or dangerous on another.
○ Not applicable — no combustible-metal hazard present
○ Required — Class D dry-powder unit matched to the specific metal
6.6.2Where combustible-metal operations are present, a Class D dry-powder extinguisher selected for the specific metal hazard shall be provided.
6.6.3Class D units shall be located within a travel distance not exceeding 75 ft of the hazard.
6.6.4The agent selection shall be confirmed against the specific metal handled.
7 Distribution and Travel Distance
7.1 Class A Travel Distance
7.1.1The 75 ft limit is independent of the extinguisher rating; a higher-rated unit increases the floor area it may protect but never extends the travel distance beyond 75 ft.
7.1.2Extinguishers protecting Class A hazards shall be distributed so that the maximum travel distance from any point in the protected area to the nearest suitable extinguisher does not exceed 75 ft, measured along the actual path of travel that an occupant would walk — around walls, partitions, and fixed obstructions, and through doorways — not in a straight line.
NOTE Verifying travel distance along the real path of egress, rather than as a radius on the plan, is one of the most frequent NFPA 10 compliance issues at inspection. (7.1.3)
7.2 Class B Travel Distance
NOTE Because Class B fires spread rapidly, the permitted travel distance is shorter than for Class A. (7.2.1)
7.2.2Extinguishers protecting Class B (flammable-liquid) hazards shall be distributed so that the maximum travel distance does not exceed the limit set by NFPA 10 for the extinguisher's Class B rating and the hazard level: generally 30 ft for lower-rated units in higher hazards and up to 50 ft for higher-rated units.
7.2.3Where a multipurpose unit carries both A and B ratings, the more restrictive Class B travel distance shall govern the spacing in any area where a Class B hazard is present.
7.3 Maximum Floor Area per Extinguisher
7.3.1The maximum floor area a single Class A extinguisher may protect is limited by NFPA 10 according to the unit's Class A rating and the area's hazard classification.
300011250
3000600011250
Default: 11250 ft²
7.3.2The travel-distance limit and the maximum-floor-area limit shall be applied together; the more restrictive of the two governs the number and spacing of units.
7.3.3The Designer shall confirm both limits for each area and shall add units wherever either limit would otherwise be exceeded.
7.4 Number and Location of Units
NOTE The number, type, and exact location of every extinguisher and cabinet are project-specific. (7.4.1)
☐ Along normal paths of travel and in corridors
☐ Near exits and exit-access doors
☐ Adjacent to specific hazards (electrical, mechanical, kitchen, shop)
☐ At each level of stairwells where required by the AHJ
☐ Additional units to satisfy travel-distance and floor-area limits
7.4.3Extinguishers shall, at a minimum, be located along normal paths of travel, near exits and exit-access doors where occupants naturally move toward during evacuation, and adjacent to specific hazards (electrical rooms, mechanical rooms, kitchens, shops) that require a dedicated unit.
8 Mounting and Cabinets
8.1 Mounting Method
NOTE Bracket mounting is the least expensive method and is appropriate in back-of-house, industrial, and mechanical areas where appearance is not a concern and the unit is not exposed to physical damage. (8.1.1)
NOTE Cabinet mounting protects the unit from dust, weather, tampering, and impact, and provides a finished appearance in public and occupied spaces; it is the standard method in lobbies, corridors, and tenant areas. (8.1.2)
○ Semi-recessed cabinet
○ Recessed cabinet
○ Surface-mounted cabinet
○ Wall bracket / hanger (no cabinet)
8.1.3Each extinguisher shall be installed on a listed wall bracket or hanger, or housed in a listed cabinet, so that it is securely supported and readily accessible.
8.1.4Extinguishers shall never be set on the floor unmounted, both because an unmounted unit is easily displaced or knocked over and because NFPA 10 requires positive support.
8.2 Cabinet Type
NOTE A recessed cabinet sits entirely within the wall cavity with only the door and trim at or near the finished wall surface; it presents the cleanest appearance and the least projection but requires a wall deep enough to accept the full cabinet box. (8.2.1)
NOTE A semi-recessed cabinet projects partially into the wall and partially out, and is the most widely used type because it accommodates shallow stud walls while keeping the projection within the limit permitted for an accessible path of travel. (8.2.2)
NOTE A surface-mounted cabinet attaches entirely to the wall face, requires no wall cavity, and is used where the wall cannot be penetrated (masonry, concrete, fire-rated assemblies that cannot be cut). (8.2.3)
Full acrylic / glazed door with pull handle
Full acrylic / glazed door with break-glass latch
Solid door with vision panel
Solid door, no vision panel
Flush trim (trimless / drywall bead)
Rolled-edge / square trim
Recessed (zero projection) trim
8.2.4The cabinet type shall be selected to balance appearance, the available wall depth, and the projection limit into the path of travel.
8.2.5Because a surface-mounted cabinet's full projection typically exceeds the 4 in. accessible-route limit, it shall not be placed within a required accessible path of travel.
NOTE The semi-recessed cabinet is the default because it suits the typical interior stud wall and satisfies the accessibility projection limit. (8.2.6)
8.2.7The cabinet door style, material, and finish shall be coordinated with the architectural finishes.
8.3 Cabinet Projection into Path of Travel
NOTE This is among the most common accessibility violations in extinguisher installations and is readily avoided by confirming the cabinet projection during submittal review. (8.3.1)
8.3.2Where a surface-mounted or semi-recessed cabinet is located within a corridor, aisle, or other accessible route, its projection from the wall shall comply with the accessible-route requirements of ICC A117.1 and the ADA.
8.3.3An object mounted on a wall with its leading edge between 27 in. and 80 in. above the finished floor shall not project more than 4 in. into the path of travel.
8.3.4Because a fully-stocked surface-mounted cabinet commonly projects 6 in. or more, surface-mounted cabinets shall not be used within a required accessible route; a recessed or semi-recessed cabinet shall be used instead, with its projection confirmed against the 4 in. limit.
8.4 Fire-Rated Cabinets
NOTE A standard cabinet recessed into a rated wall reduces the wall to the thickness of the cabinet's sheet-metal box at the opening and destroys the wall's rating unless a fire-rated cabinet (listed with the rated wall assembly per ASTM E814 / UL 1479) is used. (8.4.1)
○ No — cabinet not located in a fire-rated wall
○ Yes — recessed/semi-recessed cabinet in a fire-rated wall
8.4.2Where a recessed or semi-recessed cabinet is installed in a wall that is required to have a fire-resistance rating — such as a corridor wall, stair enclosure, occupancy-separation wall, or shaft wall — the cabinet shall be a listed fire-rated cabinet, and the installation shall maintain the fire-resistance rating of the penetrated assembly.
8.4.3The Contractor shall confirm the fire rating of each wall before selecting the cabinet and shall not recess a non-rated cabinet into a rated wall.
8.5 Mounting Height
NOTE The default mounting height of 48 in. to the top of the unit satisfies both the NFPA 10 maximum and the accessible reach range for typical hand-carried units. (8.5.1)
3660
42485460
Default: 48 in.
8.5.2Extinguishers with a gross weight not exceeding 40 lb shall be installed so that the top of the unit is not more than 5 ft (60 in.) above the finished floor.
8.5.3Extinguishers with a gross weight greater than 40 lb shall be installed so that the top of the unit is not more than 3.5 ft (42 in.) above the finished floor.
8.5.4In all cases the clearance between the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor shall be at least 4 in.
8.5.5Where the extinguisher or its cabinet is located on an accessible route, the operable parts (the carrying handle and the cabinet latch) shall additionally fall within the accessible reach range, which commonly results in a handle height of about 48 in. above the floor.
9 Identification and Signage
9.1 Conspicuous Location
NOTE The intent is that an occupant who needs an extinguisher can find one quickly without searching; an extinguisher that cannot be located in an emergency provides no protection. (9.1.1)
9.1.2Each extinguisher shall be conspicuously located and visible from the normal path of travel, in accordance with NFPA 10 and IBC/IFC Section 906.
9.1.3Where an extinguisher or cabinet cannot be made directly visible — for example, where it is set back in an alcove or recessed flush into a wall finish that camouflages it — a sign or other approved means shall be provided to indicate its location.
9.2 Location Signs
NOTE For visibility down a corridor, projecting (flag-mounted) signs perpendicular to the wall are commonly used. (9.2.1)
Wall-flush identification sign at each location
Projecting (flag) sign perpendicular to wall for corridor visibility
Both flush and projecting signs
Cabinet face lettering only (where cabinet is conspicuous)
9.2.2An identification sign shall be provided at each extinguisher location to direct occupants to the unit.
9.2.3Signs shall be located close to the extinguisher and shall be visible from the normal path of travel.
9.2.4Sign mounting height shall place the sign within the typical sightline, commonly between 60 in. and 80 in. above the finished floor.
9.3 Cabinet Identification
NOTE A cabinet that blends into the wall finish without identification defeats the purpose of conspicuous location. (9.3.1)
○ "FIRE EXTINGUISHER" lettering on cabinet door
○ Identification decal on glazing
○ Adjacent identification sign
9.3.2Where an extinguisher is housed in a cabinet, the cabinet shall be marked conspicuously to identify its contents, in accordance with NFPA 10.
9.3.3Cabinet marking may be by lettering applied to the cabinet door, a decal, or an adjacent sign.
9.4 Class K Placard
NOTE This placard is required by IBC/IFC Section 906 and reflects the rule that the portable Class K unit is a backup to, not a replacement for, the hood-suppression system. (9.4.1)
9.4.2Where a Class K extinguisher is provided at commercial cooking equipment, a placard shall be conspicuously posted adjacent to the extinguisher stating that the fixed automatic fire-extinguishing system shall be actuated prior to using the portable extinguisher.
9.4.3The placard text shall be approved by the AHJ.
10 Installation
10.1 Mounting Security
NOTE An extinguisher that pulls out of the wall when lifted is both a hazard and a failed installation. (10.1.1)
10.1.2The Contractor shall install each bracket, hanger, and cabinet securely to the building structure, using anchors appropriate to the wall construction and rated to support the gross weight of the extinguisher with an appropriate factor of safety.
10.1.3Brackets on hollow stud walls shall be anchored to blocking or to a backing plate, not to unsupported gypsum board.
10.2 Charged and In-Service Condition
10.2.1Every extinguisher shall be delivered to its mounting location fully charged and shall be placed in service in the fully charged condition.
10.2.2Each unit shall bear a service tag indicating the date it was placed in service and the identity of the person performing the initial placement inspection.
10.2.3An extinguisher installed with a low or empty charge, or without an initial service tag, shall not be accepted.
10.3 Protection from Damage and Environment
○ Not applicable — no water-based units, or all in conditioned space
○ Listed low-temperature unit or antifreeze charge in freezing areas
10.3.1Extinguishers shall be located and installed so that they are protected from physical damage, and shall not be located where they will be subject to temperatures outside their listed operating range.
10.3.2Water-based extinguishers shall not be located in areas subject to freezing unless they are listed for low-temperature service or are protected with a listed antifreeze charge.
10.3.3Extinguishers in corrosive, wet, or outdoor environments shall be selected and located with appropriate corrosion-resistant construction or protective enclosures.
11 Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing
NOTE Failure to maintain the ongoing program is the most common reason extinguishers are found out of service at a fire-marshal inspection. (11.1)
11.2The Owner shall be advised in the operation and maintenance manual that portable fire extinguishers require an ongoing inspection, maintenance, and testing program under NFPA 10 to remain in service.
11.3The inspection, maintenance, and testing program is the responsibility of the Owner after acceptance, but the requirements shall be documented in the closeout package so the program can begin without interruption.
11.4 Inspection Frequency
Monthly (NFPA 10 minimum)
More frequent — high-traffic or high-risk environment
11.4.1A visual inspection shall be performed at least monthly to confirm that each extinguisher is in its designated location, is unobstructed and visible, is fully charged (gauge in the operable range), shows no visible damage or corrosion, and has an intact tamper seal.
11.4.2The monthly inspection may be performed by the Owner's staff and shall be recorded.
11.5 Annual Maintenance
11.5.1A thorough maintenance examination shall be performed at least annually by a certified technician, including a check of the mechanical parts, the agent quantity, and the pressurization, with a new maintenance tag affixed indicating the date and the technician.
11.6 Internal Examination and Recharge
11.6.1A partially discharged extinguisher offers unreliable protection and shall not be left in place.
11.6.2Stored-pressure dry-chemical extinguishers shall receive an internal examination at the 6-year interval, at which the unit is emptied, internally inspected, and recharged.
11.6.3Any extinguisher that has been discharged or partially discharged, for any reason, shall be recharged immediately and returned to service or replaced with a charged unit in the interim.
11.7 Hydrostatic Testing
NOTE Hydrostatic testing verifies the integrity of the pressure vessel. (11.7.1)
☐ 5-year — carbon dioxide units
☐ 5-year — wet chemical (Class K) units
☐ 5-year — water and water-mist units
☐ 12-year — stored-pressure dry chemical units
11.7.2Extinguisher cylinders shall be hydrostatically tested at the interval set by NFPA 10 for the agent type: every 5 years for carbon-dioxide, wet-chemical, and water-based units, and every 12 years for stored-pressure dry-chemical units.
11.7.3A cylinder that fails the test, or that has reached the end of its permitted service life, shall be removed from service.
11.7.4The hydrostatic-test interval shall be tracked from the cylinder's date of manufacture.
12 Warranty
12.1 Warranty Requirements
1 year from substantial completion (standard)
Manufacturer's standard warranty (verify period and conditions)
12.1.1The Contractor shall provide a warranty covering all extinguishers, cabinets, and brackets for a period of not less than 1 year from the date of substantial completion.
12.1.2The warranty shall cover material and workmanship defects, the charged and operable condition of each extinguisher at acceptance, and the security of all mounting hardware.
12.1.3Extinguishers found discharged, depressurized, or defective within the warranty period through no fault of use shall be recharged or replaced at no cost to the Owner.