Fire extinguisher related statutes

For a quick and simple collection of the most commonly applicable statutes check here, For a more in-depth amount of information scroll below.

  • Responsibility of getting the installation/inspection/maintenance/recharging of fire extinguishers is on the owner, designated agent, or occupant of the property. (10:7.1.1)

  • Installation/Inspection/Maintenance/Recharging of extinguishers have to be done by certified persons. (10:7.1.2.1-6)

  • Monthly inspections are required once every 31 days, and every calendar month. (10:7.2.1.2-.1)

  • Fixing of any deficiency is required immediately. (10:7.2.2.3)

  • Annual inspections are required. (10:7.4.1)

  • Rechargeable extinguisher 6 year inspections include internal and external physical examination. 12 year inspections include internal and external physical examinations and hydro-static testing. (10:7.3.6)

  • All rechargeable extinguishers need to be refilled/recharged after any use or indication during inspection/servicing. (10:7.7.1.1)

  • AFFF/FFFP Foam extinguisher maintenance inspections are every 3 years, and require replacement of liquid, hydro at 5 years. (10:7.3.3.1 & 10:8.3.1)

  • Pressurized water type extinguishers internal inspection intervals is every 5 years, hydro-static test at 10 years. (10:7.3.3.1 & 10:8.3.1)

  • Wet Chemical (K Class) internal inspection interval & hydro-static test every 5 years. (10:7.3.3.1 & 10:8.3.1)

  • ABC/Dry Powder internal inspection interval is every 6 years, hydro-static test at 12 years. (10:7.3.3.1 & 10:8.3.1)

  • Carbon dioxide internal inspection & hydro-static test intervals every 5 years. (10:8.3.1)

  • Pressurized water/water mist internal inspection & hydro-static test intervals every 5 years. (10:8.3.1)

  • All extinguishers have to be operable, and maintained and in their designated space at all times. (10:6.1.2)

  • Extinguishers shall be placed conspicuously placed where immediately available, and in normal egress paths or near exits. (10:6.1.3.1-2)

  • Non-wheeled extinguishers must be installed using a hanger, bracket, and/or cabinet. This includes in vehicles, and locations that could produce physical damage. (10:6.1.3.4, 10:6.1.3.6, 10:6.1.3.7)

  • Non-wheeled portable extinguishers less than 40 lbs have to be installed between 4-60 inches from floor (10:6.1.3.8.1)

  • Non-wheeled portable extinguishers more than 40 lbs have to be installed between 4-44 inches (10:6.1.3.8.2)

  • Maximum travel distance between A-type extinguishers is 75 feet (10:6.2.1.1)

  • Maximum travel distance between B-type extinguishers is 50 feet (10:6.3.1.1)

  • C-type extinguishers need to be installed where electrical hazards are encountered. (10:6.4.1)

    More in-depth, and extra material.

NFPA 10 (2013) Chapter 7 gives the statutes on inspection, maintenance, and recharging of fire extinguishers.

Within this chapter, it specifies that the responsibility of maintaining these requirements falls upon the owner, designated agent, or occupant of the property. (10:7.1.1)

In order to ensure that the proper requirements are followed, 10:7.1.2.1-6 includes the specifications that anyone performing these actions on extinguishers have to be certified, or under the supervision of a certified person when performing. That it requires the passing of a test concerning NFPA 10, they have been issued certificate, and that they can produce that certificate to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) when requested.

AHJs vary depending on the facility, and subject of determination. When other mentions of AHJ are within the NFPA, these can include, but are not limited to the Fire Marshall and their inspectors, building inspectors/engineers, and other inspection agencies. In this case, this can include you. This means you can ask for the identification prior to work being performed. (This certificate is usually an ID card issued by the state of Florida, and includes their picture, and the (if any) specific type of maintenance/inspections they are not allowed to perform.)

Whenever maintenance is being performed on extinguishers, a replacement of equal or greater rating for the required coverage needs to be left in it’s place. (10:7.1.3)

When an inspection has been performed during it’s initial placement into service, it must be in person. (10:7.2.1.1) This means that the installation of the extinguisher has to be performed/witnessed by the inspector certifying, and cannot be performed by, for example a construction worker who purchased it in bulk.

Monthly inspections in person, or by electronic monitoring is required once per calendar month (10:7.2.1.2.1), and not to exceed 31 days. (10:7.2.1.2) During these inspections, the procedure includes the following items:

  1. Location in designated place

  2. No obstruction to access or visibility

  3. Pressure gauge/indicator within operable range or position

  4. Fullness determined by weighing or hefting

  5. If wheeled extinguisher, condition of tires, wheels, carriage, hose & Nozzle

  6. Indicator for non-rechargeable extinguishers using push-to-test pressure indicators (10:7.2.2)

This includes visually inspecting if the location includes high frequency of past fires, severe hazards, locations susceptible to mechanical injury/physical damage, or exposure to abnormal temperatures/corrosive atmospheres. (10:7.2.2.1)

The visual inspection includes verifying the nameplate, usage instructions, tamper/safety seals, and obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzles. (10:7.2.2.2)

If any deficiencies are found on rechargeable fire extinguishers following 10:7.2.2.2, corrective action in required to be immediate. (10:7.2.2.3), Any deficiency other than location, or obstruction requires a maintenance of rechargeable extinguishers (10:7.2.3.1) and the replacement of nonchargeable extinguisher, and discharge & disposal of deficient extinguisher. (10:7.2.3.2)

Manual inspections are to be kept on tag, or labeled attached to extinguisher, an inspection checklist kept on file, or electronic method. (10:7.2.4.1.1) The inspection date, and initials of inspector are to be recorded. (10:7.2.4.1.2), at least 12 months of inspection records shall be maintained, including corrective action. (10:7.2.4.1.3-4)

Maintenance procedures include following manufacturers’ instruction, and a thorough inspection of the mechanical parts of an extinguisher, extinguishing agent, expelling means, and physical condition. (10:7.3.1)

The annual inspection includes an external visual inspection for obvious physical damage, corrosion, nozzle blockage, to check the label information is legible and facing forward, HMIS information is legible, or if 6-year/hydro-static maintenance is required. (10:7.3.2)

More will be added when time is available.

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