Fire Extinguisher Cabinet Specifications: The Definitive Guide
Demystifying Fire Extinguisher Cabinets
In addition to complying with applicable fire codes, there are many fire extinguisher manufacturers and suppliers that have very specific requirements for cabinet placement. Each of these must be coordinated with the project drawings, so that this can all fit into a project schedule and budget.
It is critical for fire and safety personnel and other employees to have clear access and sightlines of all fire extinguishers and cabinets at all times. As budget and project scope allow, cabinets should be placed in such a way so as to give fire and safety personnel easy access even in an emergency.
The fire extinguisher cabinet requirements in the Life Safety Code Section 4.3.1 address the overall purpose of the requirements, which are to keep equipment "so placed as to be readily accessible," and "without any impediment to their immediate use . " It goes on to state "Unless otherwise required by governing laws or local ordinances, extinguishers should be so placed that they are visible (particularly when approaching from doorways and stairways) and readily accessible."
In addition to fire safety officials that will need to be able to easily access the extinguisher for use, it is also important to make sure that these cabinets are not obstructed, even accidentally, by the people who will use them. (Racks with larger and smaller fire extinguishers at different heights can help with this; so that racks are not purposefully intermixed with cabinets and restricted areas and are still easily identified as cabinets.)
As is also stated in the Life Safety Code, "The provisions shall pertain only to applications for use of portable extinguishers." This means that these should not be placed in spaces where employees "accidentally" store things, or use as a trashcan or other miscellaneous storage cabinet.
Regulatory Requirements for Fire Extinguisher Cabinets
When it comes to the requirements for fire safety equipment in the workplace, costly oversights are generally as scandalous as they are avoidable. As such, it’s worth considering the legal background for fire extinguisher cabinets in general, and specifically the latest standards from the OSHA and NFPA.
OSHA Standards
The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers the availability of fire extinguishers of vital concern in workplaces. As such, the standards set out for the location and use of fire extinguishers requires that they be chosen on the basis of the type of fire hazard present, be readily accessible and visible, and mounted in halls and corridors to keep them away from areas blocked by doors or alarms. They must also be inspected monthly and tested annually on both an internal and external basis. With annual costs per extinguisher normally around $20, this translates into a rather significant investment.
According to OSHA, extinguishers with a gross weight of over 40 pounds must be put in a door frame such that the top is mounted 3 feet above the ground. They are usually not mounted on obstacles such as pipes or electrical outlets, and must be easily accessible without climbing or using any other obstacles. All extinguishers must be tagged appropriately.
According to the standards, extinguishers need to be located so that most of the workers in a building can easily reach them within 10 seconds. The exception is for upper floors, in which case (where workers cannot reach a fire extinguisher in 10 seconds), the two shortest possible routes to the nearest extinguisher must not require more than 30 seconds in each case. This refers to the distance needed to reach the fire extinguisher, rather than the time taken to pick it up and use it.
OSHA refers to standard NFPA 10 (NFPA = National Fire Protection Association) for its requirements on the location of a fire extinguisher cabinet in a building. These rules apply to all workplaces that are not a single family house, including permanent and temporary workplaces. This includes things like scaffolding and temporary or transient structures where fire safety equipment is required.
NFPA Standards
These guidelines specify the size and placement of extinguishers in general terms, advising that extinguishers must be hung high enough from the floor to be suitable for use by an average worker, and with most of the cabinet around 4 feet above the ground. The NFPA notes that "In general, stored-pressure extinguishers should be hung so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 ft. (1.5 m) above the floor." In addition, they recommend avoiding placing extinguishers over sources of heat, such as radiators, electrical outlets, or lights, and as far away as possible from hazardous areas.
Neverthless, NFPA guidelines recognize that the situation may demand different strategies. Where it would not be feasible or safe to place an extinguisher in the location specified, authorities may approve variations that are just as safe through the use of a variance request, which will place much more emphasis on the potential dangers involved in a particular setting.
Other Regulatory Standards
The most surprising element concerning the requirement for the placement of fire extinguisher cabinets is that in most cases, it is not governed by any kind of local law. While government agencies are obliged to follow OSHA and NFPA guidelines, the public regulations do not in fact make mention of the location of extinguisher cabinets at all. However as a principle of sound health and safety practice, it is assumed that businesses must take intelligent precaution regarding the placement of such cabinets, even if there is no formal legal obligation to do so.
Fire Extinguisher Cabinet Material & Design
Fire extinguisher cabinets are often manufactured from high-gauge (usually 18 or 16) steel that is powder-coated. They require a minimum 1" of red paint, but can also come in a wide range of colors to match the interior design or branding of a facility. All fire extinguisher cabinets should have a flanged bottom that raises the extinguisher approximately ½" above the floor to protect the unit from slight spills, cleaning fluids, or moisture that may get under the cabinet. If you use plastic cabinets, make sure the plastic is high-density polyethylene or polycarbonate.
Some codes state that cabinets must be painted red, while others, including NFPA 10, simply require them to be "readily identifiable." It all depends upon whether you’re in an older building where the subject of extinguishers mounted in red cabinets has never come up or if you’re in a newly constructed building where the extinguishers are placed in cabinets with the correct signage. Seeing how your new building is going to look before it’s built is important and that includes knowing what the cabinets are going to look like. This can save you a lot of money.
Fire code notwithstanding, common sense dictates the design of a fire extinguisher cabinet. The installer has to take into account the type of location (indoors, outdoors, or underground), what surrounding conditions may exist, and other conditions (including the location of prevailing traffic, stairs, doorways, and so on). For instance, for an exterior cabinet, drainage holes in the bottom of the cabinet are useful to keep the unit clear of snow and water. Unprotected cabinets, on the other hand, need to have waterproof doors, gutters, and the like to ensure that the fire extinguisher case isn’t damaged from moisture.
You’ll also find cabinets with vents or louvers. Vents allow the inside temperature to equalize with the outside temperature, while louvers prevent drafts from blowing into the cabinet. Vents are usually used for pre-plumbed cabinets, which are cabinets with extinguishers that have been pre-connected to a standpipe system.
When it comes to visibility, all cabinets have red inside drywall that helps enhance visibility. Some even have battery-operated alarm systems that will announce the presence of the extinguisher when doors are opened. The code allows employers to use illuminated or photoluminescent cabinet identification signs.
Installation Requirements and Standards
To comply with Chapter 5 of the NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, fire extinguisher cabinets must be installed so that they do not interfere with door operation, projections, or other obstructions. They must also be fixed to the floor or wall to prevent tipping.
The recommended installation heights for fire extinguisher cabinets are as follows:
While cabinets should comply with the above measurements and recommendations, other considerations also impact installation specifications, such as kinks, bends, etc. Some of these are as follows:
If a fire extinguisher cabinet is installed in an area located within a high dust environment – isides of a food service kitchen or warehouse – a plastic cover may be used to protect it. Covers, however, are not required for cabinets in parking structures, cisterns, or attics. Although covers are not necessary for other cabinets, they are permitted for protection from painting or other abrasive work.
In areas where temperature fluctuations are present – such as a freezer or steam room – cabinets are not to be used.
Cabinets must be installed to provide their contents with protection against mechanical and physical damage.
Accessibility & Visibility Factors
A fire extinguisher must be accessible and highly visible in the event of fire. To be effective, the fire extinguisher must be used quickly after the fire has started. An extinguishing agent becomes far less effective as the fire increases in size. Commonly used types of extinguishers are either pressurized water, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Where so ever they are located, fire extinguishers should be located near the exit door(s) to allow access after evacuation has been completed. Store outside the building in a conspicuous location a fire extinguisher, properly serviced and filled, and ready for use. Keep the extinguisher fully charged and inspect it frequently.
Fire extinguishers located inside, on the same floor where the hazard exists, should be located within a 75-foot (23 m) travel distance of the hazard . Fire extinguishers located on the inside should be located with a 75-foot (23 m) distance from the hazard on areas that are open to the public (i.e., lobbies). Fire extinguishers located inside, away from the hazard, should be located within a 25-foot (7.62 m) from the hazard. Fire extinguishers should be spaced to ensure that at least one is located within reach from any point in the room or the area with a 75-foot (23 m) travel distance if possible. Fire extinguishers should be visible. It’s important that fire extinguishers will be able to be seen at all times. Locate fire extinguishers in plain view so that they don’t blend in with the paint color or background.
Fire Extinguisher Cabinets – Inspection Protocols
Fire extinguisher cabinets, like the extinguishers themselves, require appropriate maintenance and inspection to ensure they remain a functional part of a fire safety plan. How often a cabinet requires maintenance will depend on what type of cabinet it is. For example, freestanding cabinets with no exterior wall contact should be inspected at the same time as the extinguisher(s) within, or at least once a year. Similarly, cabinets that are bolted into walls should be inspected once a year to ensure that they remain firmly secured to the wall. The exterior should be inspected for signs of corrosion, and the interior should be checked for any signs of damage or hazards, such as storage of combustibles.
Regular inspection of cabinets is imperative as it allows – and indeed requires – the owner to take corrective action to address any rust, corrosion, wear, or issue that may impede the function of the cabinet. For example, even if an inspection reveals that the cabinet does not require replacement, oxidation or rust can be remedied with the application of paint to protect the metal from continuing disintegration. Paint in general should only be applied to cabinets so long as the paint is approved by NFPA-10. Structural issues with these cabinets can include chipped edges, broken panes, insecure bolts, and other deficiencies that may require repair or replacement. At times, the cabinets may require replacement due to damage or defects. In nearly all cases, the cabinet will be replaced at the same time that the fire extinguisher is replaced.
The frequency with which fire extinguisher cabinets should be inspected or maintained is outlined in NFPA-10 Section 13.1. The inspection schedules outlined within this Standard are general requirements – facilities and managers should develop their own inspection and maintenance schedules based on the building layout, use, occupancy, number and location of fire cabinet, etc. All inspections should be documented and kept in a repository for review.
Common Pitfalls and Mistakes
The rules are written clearly, but businesses frequently misinterpret or overlook certain requirements pertaining to fire extinguisher cabinets. Here are some common pitfalls:
- Cabinet Upgrades. Replacing doors, frames, and hardware is a popular way to spruce up old cabinets. Business owners are less likely to think of the interior. However, many businesses overlook internal components when upgrading. While reusing the cabinet casing is generally acceptable, the interior components need to be upgraded to meet current requirements. Fire extinguishers require an unobstructed view with proper signage, and old cabinets often have shelves, latches, or braces which obstruct the view of the extinguisher. At a minimum, the old exit hardware must be replaced with new hardware if the cabinet is being reused.
- Cabinet Location. Positioning cabinets to be easily accessible may seem like a no brainer , but location errors are very common. The cabinets should not be blocked by other objects. They should be easily accessible during an emergency in accordance with NFPA 10, the guidance document for placement of fire extinguishers. The doors of hardware cabinets should not require special tools to open. Another common mistake is positioning cabinets too far away from a hazard.
- Cabling. Cables, ducts, or piping over cabinets is another example where a business may be tempted to overlook the requirement that fire extinguisher cabinets must be accessible. The fire extinguishers must be able to be removed from the cabinet without removing the obstruction to their access. If the cabinet is obstructed, it is a violation. In some cases, the obstruction may be too heavy to be easily removed in an emergency.