Portable Fire Extinguishers: Installation, Requirements, and Compliance

​When it comes to fire safety within a building, fire extinguishers are not typically the first protection method that comes to mind. Fire sprinklers, fire alarm systems, smoke detectors – all are much more commonly considered when evaluating the fire safety of a building or space. However, portable fire extinguishers do play a role in the overall protection strategy of a building and are still required by the International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) in most buildings. This post will explore the specific requirements, installation guidelines, and considerations for architects, designers, and building safety professionals.

All code references in this post are to the 2021 IBC and IFC or the 2022 Edition of NFPA 10, the Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.

What is a Portable Fire Extinguisher

According to NFPA 10, a portable fire extinguisher is “A portable device, carried or on wheels and operated by hand, containing an extinguishing agent that can be expelled under pressure for the purpose of suppressing or extinguishing fire.”

Portable fire extinguishers come in a variety of sizes, including wheeled units!

Classifying Fire Hazards and Selecting the Right Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are categorized based on the type of fire hazard they are designed to address.

Selection of portable fire extinguishers is based on the type of fire hazard.

​Let's break down the classifications of fire hazard types:
​

1. Class A Fires (Ordinary Combustibles) - Materials: Wood, paper, cloth, trash.
2. Class B Fires (Flammable Liquids) - Materials: Gasoline, oils, paint.
3. Class C Fires (Electrical) - Materials: Energized electrical equipment (e.g., wiring, circuit boards).
4. Class D Fires (Combustible Metals) - Materials: Magnesium, sodium, potassium.
5. Class K Fires (Cooking Oils and Fats) - Materials: Grease, oil, fat used in cooking.

In addition to the fire hazard classification, the IBC and IFC also consider the severity of the fire hazard, including light/low hazard, ordinary/moderate hazard and extra/high hazard. The required type of fire extinguisher is based on the classification of the fire hazard while the required size of fire extinguishers is primarily based on the severity of the hazard. We’ll cover this in more detail later in this post.

Where Are Fire Extinguishers Required

​Portable fire extinguishers must be installed in multiple locations depending on the type of occupancy and the specific hazards present in a building. These requirements are found in IBC 906.1:

1. General Occupancies Fire extinguishers are required in Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4, and S occupancies, which encompass a wide variety of buildings:

• Group A (Assembly): Assembly occupancies such as theaters, stadiums, and auditoriums.
• Group B (Business): Offices and places of work.
• Group E (Educational): K-12 schools
• Group F (Factory): Manufacturing facilities.
• Group H (Hazardous): Facilities dealing with dangerous chemicals or materials.
• Group I (Institutional): Hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities.
• Group M (Mercantile): Retail spaces.
• Group R (Residential): Includes hotels, dormitories, and multi-family residences.

​​Exceptions to the Occupancy Requirements:

• Group R-2 (Residential): Extinguishers are only required in locations specified in items 2 through 6 of this list if each dwelling unit is provided with an extinguisher with a minimum rating of 1-A:10-B:C.
• Group E (Schools): Extinguishers are only required in locations specified in items 2 through 6 of this list if each classroom is provided with an extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2-A:20-B:C.
• Group S (Storage): For areas where forklift operators or powered industrial truck operators are the primary occupants, extinguishers can be mounted on the vehicle instead of fixed locations if approved by the fire code official. 

2. Cooking Equipment: Fire extinguishers are required within 30 feet of commercial cooking equipment. Additionally, in Group I-1, I-2 Condition 1 and R-2 college dormitories, fire extinguishers are required within 30 feet of domestic cooking equipment.

3. Flammable or Combustible Liquids: Fire extinguishers are required where flammable or combustible liquids are stored, used or dispensed.

4. During Construction: Fire extinguishers are required on every floor of structures under construction with the exception of Group R-3 occupancies. See IFC 3315.1 for additional information.

5. Other Locations: Fire extinguishers are required in certain special situations by the IFC. Refer to IBC Table 906.1 which provides a list of these situations.

​6. Special Hazard Areas: Fire extinguishers are required in special hazard areas including laboratories, computer rooms and generator rooms where required by the fire code official.

Extinguisher Size, Distribution, and Rating

The IBC requires fire extinguishers to be sized and distributed based on a variety of factors including fire classification, hazard type, and floor area.

Class A Fire Hazards

Fire extinguishers for Class A fire hazards must comply with the following per IBC 906.3.1:

Hazard Type	Minimum Extinguisher Rating	Max Area Covered Per Unit of A (sq. ft.)
Light (Low)	2-A (or two 1-A extinguishers)	3,000
Ordinary (Moderate)	2-A	1,500
Extra (High)	4-A (or two 2.5 gallon water-type extinguishers)	1,000

Class B Fire Hazards

​Fire extinguishers in locations with flammable or combustible liquids with depths less than or equal to ¼-inch must comply with the following per IBC 906.3.2:

Hazard Type	Minimum Extinguisher Rating	Max Travel Distance to an Extinguisher (feet)
Light (Low)	5-B 10-B	30 50
Ordinary (Moderate)	5-B 10-B	30 50
Extra (High)	5-B 10-B	30 50

​Fire extinguishers in locations with flammable or combustible liquids with depths greater than ¼-inch must comply with the requirements found in NFPA 10.

Class C Fire Hazards

Fire extinguishers for Class C fire hazards must be selected and placed based on the anticipated Class A or B hazard.

Class D Fire Hazards

​Fire extinguishers in locations with combustible metals must comply with requirements found in NFPA 10.

Cooking Equipment Fires

Fire extinguishers in locations with cooking equipment must be approved and compatible with the automatic fire extinguishing system used for the cooking equipment. If the cooking equipment involves solid fuels, vegetable/animal oils or fats, a Class K fire extinguishers is required. Refer to Section 906 of the IFC for additional information.

Installation Requirements and Guidelines

Correct installation is as crucial as the right selection of fire extinguishers. Section [F] 906.9 outlines specific requirements for installation:

1. Installation Height

• Extinguishers weighing 40 pounds or less: The top of the extinguisher should not be more than 5 feet above the floor. This ensures ease of access in case of an emergency.
• Extinguishers weighing more than 40 pounds: These must be installed so that the top is no more than 3.5 feet from the floor to ensure accessibility.
  

2. Floor Clearance

• All fire extinguishers must have at least 4 inches of clearance from the floor to prevent them from being obstructed by debris or other objects.

3. Conspicuous and Unobstructed Location

• Fire extinguishers must be placed in conspicuous locations where they are easily visible and accessible. They should not be blocked or obscured by furniture, storage, or any other objects.

​4. Cabinet Requirements

• Cabinets used to house extinguishers should not be locked unless specific exceptions apply, such as for Group I-3 (detention facilities) or in cases where malicious damage could occur. In these instances, staff should have access to keys.

Conclusion

​Portable fire extinguishers are required in most buildings and occupancies. Selection and placement of portable fire extinguishers varies based on the type of hazards present and and the type of extinguisher being provided.