How many fire extinguishers do i need

If you have questions, talk with a professional fire protection agency. Koorsen Fire and Security has been in the fire protection service for over 70 years. Their experts can walk through your property and advise you on both code and ideal safety, and guide you through the number, type, and placement of your extinguishers. Topics: Fire Extinguisher. Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only.

It does not constitute professional advice. Making sure that you always have quick access to a fire extinguisher while you are cooking keeps fire damage to a minimum. In addition to the kitchen, front and rear home exits are great places for fire extinguishers. Get close to the exit, and then fight the flames as much as possible while keeping your escape assured.

Placing one in the main hallway of the home helps ensure a safe exit as well. Always keep fire safety equipment for home use on each level of your home so you can spray your way out if need be. Most fire extinguishers do not have a specified date that tells how long they can be used. The lifespan of an extinguisher depends on how well it has been cared for over the years. But with that in mind, even the best maintained fire extinguishers do not last forever.

If you are unsure how old the device is, check the manufacture date found either on the label or the bottom of the extinguisher. There should be a minimum of 2 extinguishers per floor unless the upper floor area is very small, i. This may be reduced by risk assessment in a sprinklered building or where automatic suppression has been fitted. Where it is desirable to have smaller, lighter extinguishers, foam or water with additives can be used to reduce weight whilst maintaining firefighting capability.

Specialised extinguishers should also be provided to cover Classes B such as petrol, diesel, oils, turpentine, paraffin, paint, ethanol, methanol, etc.

However, the UK fire extinguisher regulations BS update recommends a minimum of two Class A fire extinguishers on every floor of a building are needed unless the premises are very small, in which case one may be acceptable. Three- or six-litre foam, or nine-litre water, are the most frequently found types, although others are likely to be needed as well, most commonly CO2 extinguishers for electrical fires.

Fire extinguisher regulations state that extinguishers must be serviced annually i. There are several factors that dictate the required number of fire extinguishers for a given building including size of the building, placement and location of fire extinguishers, and fire hazard level.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA standards and building codes apply these factors and conditions when determining the fire extinguisher requirements for a building. The NFPA takes fire extinguisher safety a step further by determining the specific types of fire extinguishers required for each building. By working with a fire and life safety service provider, building owners and managers can ensure regulatory compliance and most importantly confidently secure the safety of their facility and employees.

The square footage of a building and the specific blueprint of the room are key factors in determining the necessary number of fire extinguishers for a given building. According to OSHA standards , portable fire extinguishers are required to be situated with a travel distance of 75 feet or less.

Regulatory requirements and the square footage contained in a building will contribute to the final number of fire extinguishers needed. In order to fully comprehend the different fire hazard levels, building owners should first be familiar with the five main classes of fire they could encounter.

Fires are classified as:. A fire hazard level refers to the amount of fire risk that exists in a given building. Commercial and industrial buildings are evaluated and assigned a fire hazard level based on business scope and what the building contains.

The assigned fire hazard level is used to determine the right type of fire extinguishers required for a given building. Fire hazard level also determines how closely fire extinguishers of a certain size should be positioned in a workspace.