| Want you to know |
| Fire Extinguishers and the Law |
| OSHA (NC Department of Labor) and the North Carolina Fire Codes address the placement and use of Portable Fire Extinguishers. These laws are specific and fire extinguisher violations remain as one of the most often cited items during OSHA and fire inspections conducted by your local authorities. Compliance is relatively simple and inexpensive compared to the potential fines, but more importantly the damage to your facility and a loss of income due to a fire. An employee using a fire extinguisher extinguishes 94% of reported industrial fires. Professional Fire Extinguishers want to assist you with compliance requirements and provides you with this summary to assist you in understanding your obligations. |
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REGARDING TRAINING YOU EMPLOYEES IN THE SAFE AND PROPER USE OF EXTINGUISHERS |
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CFR (Code of Federal Regulations)
Title 29, Part 1910 (OSHA)
Section 157, Paragraphs g.1 & 2
(North Carolina Fire Codes reference OSHA and NFPA 10) |
"Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting." |
"The employer shall provide the education required... upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter." |
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REGARDING THE INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING OF YOUR EXTINGUISHERS |
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Type |
What |
Who |
Frequency |
Inspection |
A 'quick check' that a portable is available and will operate |
Employer or Service Provider |
Monthly
(Sign-off documentation) |
Maintenance |
A thorough examination of the three basic elements of the unit |
Service Provider |
Annually
(SP tagging required) |
6 Year Rebuild |
An extinguisher is required to be torn down and thoroughly inspected with the pressure seals and powder replaced |
Service Provider |
Every 6 Years
(SP tagging, collar required) |
Hydrostatic Testing |
A pressure test to determine its safety |
Service Provider |
Varies
(Test markings, SP tagging, collar required) |
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REGARDING HYDROSTATIC TESTING OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER PRESSURE CYLINDERS |
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Extinguisher Type |
Testing Interval |
Stored Pressure Water, Loaded Stream, and/or Antifreeze fire extinguishers |
5 Years |
Wetting Agent fire extinguishers |
5 Years |
AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) fire extinguishers |
5 Years |
FFFP (Film Forming Fluoroprotein Foam) fire extinguishers |
5 Years |
Dry Chemical With Stainless Steel Shells fire extinguishers |
5 Years |
Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers |
5 Years |
Dry Chemical, Stored Pressure, with mild steel shells, brazed grass shells, or aluminum shell fire extinguishers |
12 Years |
Dry Chemical, Cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shell fire extinguishers |
12 Years |
Halogenated Agent fire extinguishers |
12 Years |
FE-36 fire extinguishers |
12 Years |
Dry Powder, Stored Pressure, Cartridge or Cylinder-Operated, with mild steel shell fire extinguishers |
12 Years |
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NOTE: During a 6 year rebuild and a hydrostatic test, the fire extinguisher is required to be broken down completely and inspected thoroughly by a trained service provider. During this time the seals and O-rings will be replaced as well as other parts if required. When hydrostatic tested the cylinder will be tested to insure it will hold pressure during normal storage conditions. When rebuilt a dated circular collar is placed around the neck of the cylinder before the valve is reinstalled to show compliance with rebuilding requirements. When hydrostatic testing is completed the cylinder will be stamped or marked by the tester. |
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