Where Should Fire Extinguishers Be Located
Having the right fire extinguisher is only effective if it can be reached quickly during an emergency. In workplaces covered by OSHA requirements for employee-use portable extinguishers, units must be mounted, located, and identified so they are readily accessible without exposing employees to possible injury. The ideal location for your facilities fire extinguishers depend on the facility, the fire hazards present, and how employees move through the space. Here are some general guidelines:
Offices & Commerical Buildings
In offices, retail spaces, schools, and similar buildings, fire extinguishers should be easy to see, labeled, and accessible along normal routes of travel. Hallways and other accessible common areas can provide convenient locations. Extinguishers should not be hidden behind furniture, doors, merchandise, or other obstructions that could prevent them from being reached or located during an emergency. For Class A hazards involving ordinary combustible materials, OSHA requires extinguishers to be distributed so the travel distance to anextinguisheris no more than 75 feet.
Warehouses & Distribution Centers
Large warehouses require careful extinguisher placement because shelving, storage racks, equipment, and inventory can create long orobstructed travel paths. Extinguishers should be clearly identified and accessible from working areas, with the facility's specific layout being considered when determining ideal placement. Extinguishers should never be blocked by pallets, boxes, equipment, or stored goods.OSHA requires workplace extinguishers to remain readily accessible and in their designated locations except when in use.
Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities
Factories, workshops, and maintenance facilities may contain several different fire hazards, so extinguishers should be selected anddistributed according to the types of anticipated fires. OSHA bases extinguisher selection and distribution on Class A, B, C and D hazards,with specific travel-distance requirements for certain classes. Refer to OSHA guidelines for more information on this.
Additional attention may be needed around areas involving flammable liquids, electrical equipment, combustible metals, or other specialized hazards. As in all other situations extinguishers should be easily locatable, labeled, and accessible without obstructions.
Garages & Vehicle Maintenance Areas
Repair shops and service garages can contain fuels, oils, solvents, electrical equipment, and other potential ignition sources. Fire extinguishers should be placed where workers can quickly reach them without having to move toward or through a fire. For Class B hazards involving flammable liquids, OSHA requires appropriate extinguishers within a travel distance of 50 feet or less.
Kitchens & Food Service Areas
Commercial kitchens present unique fire hazards due to cooking oils and fats. These environments may require Class K fire extinguishers designed specifically for commercial cooking hazards. Placement should make the extinguisher readily accessible while allowing workersto reach it withoutputting themselves in unnecessary or additional danger.
Regardless of the facility, fire extinguishers should be visible, clearly identified, unobstructed, properly mounted, and appropriate for the potentialhazards in the surrounding area. OSHA also requires extinguishers to be maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated locations except during use. Because fire codes and extinguisher requirements can vary depending on occupancy, hazards, and local requirements, facilities should evaluate their specific needs when determining final placement.