Page 32 - OHS, April 2022

FIRE SAFETY
IFC (2018) TABLE 906.3(1)
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR CLASS A FIRE HAZARDS
IFC (2018) TABLE 906.3(2)
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS WITH DEPTHS OF LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 0.25 INCHa
LIGHT (Low) HAZARD OCCUPANCY
ORDINARY (Moderate) HAZARD OCCUPANCY
EXTRA (High) HAZARD OCCUPANCY
Minimum-rated single extinguisher
2-Ac
2-A
4-Aa
Maximum floor area per unit of A
3,000 square feet
1,500 square feet
1,000 square feet
Maximum floor area for extinguisherb
11,250 square feet
11,250 square feet
11,250 square feet
Maximum distance of travel to extinguisher
75 feet
75 feet
75 feet
TYPE OF HAZARD
BASIC MINIMUM EXTINGUISHER RATING
MAXIMUM DISTANCE OF TRAVEL TO EXTINGUISHERS
Light (Low)
5-B
30 feet
10-B
50 feet
Ordinary (Moderate)
10-B
30 feet
20-B
50 fee
Extra (High)
40-B
30 feet
80-B
50 fee
Inspections
Portable fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly and annually in accordance with NFPA 10 (NFPA, 2022). The inspection should ensure that:
■ Fire extinguishers are in their assigned place.
■ Fire extinguishers are visible and are not blocked or hidden. ■ Fire extinguishers are mounted correctly and easily
accessed.
■ Pressure gauges show adequate pressure in the operating
range.
■ Fullness – check by weighing or heftiness.
■ Pin and seals are in place.
■ Fire extinguishers show no visual sign of damage or abuse.
■ Non-rechargeable extinguishers are maintained occurring
to manufacture requirements.
Maintenance, inspection and testing of an extinguisher are the
responsibility of the owner or designee. Those individuals who are performing maintenance are required to have a certification to maintain fire extinguishers with the correct certification proof. Maintenance for internal inspection is based on the type of extinguisher that should be done at least annually or more often if conditions warrant. The employer shall record the annual maintenance date and keep these records for one year after the recorded date or the life of the shell of the extinguisher.
Hydrostatic testing of portable fire extinguishers is done to pro- tect against unexpected in-service failure. This can be caused by internal corrosion, external corrosion and damage from abuse, etc. Hydrostatic testing must be performed by trained personnel with proper test equipment and facilities. OSHA requires hydrostatic test- ing according to the schedule listed in 29 CFR 1910.157 Table L-1.6 In addition to the code and regulation requirements extinguishers also have to be maintained by manufacturer requirements as well.
Fire extinguishers are a tool that can often be very effective in stopping or slowing a fire until the fire department arrives. It
is important to remember that combustible products are very harmful and super-heated gases can cause ill effects on the human body. Extinguishers should only be used if you are comfortable in using them as well as being trained in using them properly. Using a fire extinguisher improperly will only cause the fire to become more dangerous and cause injury to the user.
Tom Maloney is the fire marshal and deputy chief for Marysville Fire District in Washington. He is a faculty member at Columbia Southern University’s College of Safety and Emergency Services. He is a graduate of the University of Phoenix and the National Fire Academy EFO. Maloney also holds the designations of chief fire officer and fire marshal from Center of Public Safety Excellence.
This article, written by Carl A. McMillan originally appeared in the August 2004 edition of Occupational Health & Safety. The article is one of the most popular on the OH&S website, www.ohsonline.com, and was graciously updated by Tom Maloney in February 2021.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/ standardnumber/1910/1910.157
2. https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IFC2018P6/chapter-9-fire-protection- and-life-safety-systems#IFC2018P6_Ch09_Sec906
3. https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/ list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=10
4. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/ standardnumber/1910/1910.158
5. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/ standardnumber/1910/1910.159
6. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/ standardnumber/1910/1910.157
28 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL 2022
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