Frequently Asked Questions

Fire Extinguisher Inspection Tags

• Can we use a label to record our inspections?

• What do we need to inspect, during our monthly inspections?

• What are the rules regarding the materials used for fire extinguisher tags?

• What are the trends in Fire Extinguisher Tagging?

• How long do I have to keep our periodic inspection records?

• What needs to be included for the yearly agency fire extinguisher maintenance records?

Fire Extinguisher Location Signs

• What are the rules regarding Fire Extinguisher training?

• Do we have to use signs that jut out from the wall to identify the fire extinguisher locations?

• What are the rules regarding the materials used for fire extinguisher signs?

• Do fire extinguisher signs need to be photoluminescent, or "glow-in-the-dark"?

• How many fire extinguisher signs do we need?

Can we use a label to record our inspections?

Labels are common, yet they must be taken off after the year's inspection period for proper record-keeping. Hence, tags are much more common. They can be more easily removed and stored.

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What do we need to inspect, during our monthly inspections?

First, note that the monthly interval may be adjusted, "... extinguishers shall be manually inspected at a minimum of 30-day intervals or electronically monitored. Fire extinguishers shall be inspected at more frequent intervals when circumstances require." [NFPA 10]

The particular inspection information is often the following: [NFPA 10]

(1) Location in designated place

(2) No obstruction to access or visibility

(3) Pressure gauge reading or indicator in the operable range or position.

(4) Fullness determined by weighing or hefting for self-expelling type extinguishers, cartridge operated extinguishers and pump tanks.

(5) For wheeled extinguishers, the condition of tires, wheels, carriage, hose and nozzle shall also be checked.

(6) For non-rechargeable extinguishers using push-to-test pressure indicators, test the indicator.

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What are the rules regarding the materials used for fire extinguisher tags?

There are no rules that govern tag materials – although it is important that any tag or label withstand the environment. In practice, tags need to withstand humidity and "accidental" removal. In addition, the tag should be large enough to encourage legible inspection hand-writing. Plastic and metal tags certainly outlast most cardstock fire extinguisher inspection tags.

Although many tags are fastened with self-locking ties most are fastened with wires. When the period checks are completed, either can be easily cut off and your tag preserved for the year.

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What are the trends in Fire Extinguisher Tagging?

Certainly, live electronic monitoring of fire extinguishers is the most important trend in the industry. "24/7" supervision of a fire extinguisher's contents, pressure, location and accessibility has been a goal for many. The latest edition of NFPA 10 is now recognizing some of these electronic maintenance methods.

Similarly, RF tagging and bar-code labels are taking some of the manual labor away from the aggravation of periodic checks. On the other hand, the simplicity and obvious paper trail for the traditional fire extinguisher hang tags remain as popular as ever.

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How long do I have to keep our periodic inspection records?

There has been some controversy around this subject. In general, your monthly inspection records should be kept for a year. Keep the monthly inspection tag on file, even after a yearly maintenance has been performed. Most organizations save a tag for this time. In some cases, companies are using a paperless system that electronically stores this information. Make sure to consult the latest NFPA regulations and explanatory Annex yourself. See NFPA 10-2002 is published in Volume 1 of the 2004/2005 National Fire Codes:

"Records shall be kept on a tag or label attached to the fire extinguisher, on an inspection checklist maintained on file, or in an electronic system (e.g., bar coding) that provides a permanent record of the last twelve monthly inspections."

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What needs to be included for the yearly agency fire extinguisher maintenance records?

The maintenance recordkeeping should indicate more than just the service technician's name. See NFPA 10: "Each fire extinguisher shall have a tag or label securely attached that indicates the month and year the maintenance was performed, and that identifies the person performing the work, and identifies the name of the agency performing the work."

Our custom fire extinguisher service tags also ask you to define a permit number.

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What are the rules regarding Fire Extinguisher training?

See, OSHA 1910.157, which is excerpted here: "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."

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Do we have to use signs that jut out from the wall to identify the fire extinguisher locations?

In fact, the NFPA rules are often misinterpreted here. Some building inspectors have required that fire extinguisher signs be mounted perpendicular to their cabinet or when the fire extinguisher is mounted on a wall bracket.

An NFPA interpretation (November, 99), however, mentions that this is not a requirement. The rules only require that "extinguishers mounted in cabinets or wall recesses...be marked conspicuously."

In practice, however, the perpendicular signs remain our most popular – and for good reason. While "a conspicuous sign, including those mounted parallel to the wall, meet the intent of [the NFPA rules]", the advantages of a sign that can be seen as you approach it from an angle are obvious. Most locations are approached from an angle. Sign visibility suffers. Moreover, many fire extinguishers are kept in recessed cavities and are even harder to locate.

In an emergency, seconds may count. A sign that can be seen from as many different angles (and as many different light conditions) is certainly an advantage. View our line of projecting signs to find the best sign for your installation.

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What are the rules regarding the materials used for fire extinguisher signs?

The signs need, merely, to be "conspicuous". Signs that fade quickly or are too small are not conspicuous. Our GlowSmart™ signs are some of the most conspicuous in the market.

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Do fire extinguisher signs need to be photoluminescent, or "glow-in-the-dark"?

Again, there are no common rules here that mandate this treatment. On the other hand, fires often cause blackouts. A photoluminescent or reflective sign only increases the chances that vital fire protection equipment, shut-off's, etc. will be found quickly. Photoluminescent signs glow in the dark after the lights are off. Reflective signs take the light from a flashlight or backup light and return the light in a way that makes the sign evident. Give your emergency crews and other fire fighting teams all the help that they deserve.

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How many fire extinguisher signs do we need?

We recommend that you consult with the regulations above. For a quick overview, of how many are needed, see the excerpt below (from the OSHA standard 1926) regarding Portable Firefighting Equipment, Fire Extinguishers and Small Hose Lines:

• A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of the protected building area, or major fraction thereof. Travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet.

• One 55-gallon open drum of water with two fire pails may be substituted for a fire extinguisher having a 2A rating.

• A ½-inch diameter garden-type hose line, not to exceed 100 feet in length and equipped with a nozzle, may be substituted for a 2A-rated fire extinguisher, providing it is capable of discharging a minimum of 5 gallons per minute with a minimum hose stream range of 30 feet horizontally. The garden-type hose lines shall be mounted on conventional racks or reels. The number and location of hose racks or reels shall be such that at least one hose stream can be applied to all points in the area.

• One or more fire extinguishers, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided on each floor. In multistory buildings, at least one fire extinguisher shall be located adjacent to stairway.

• Extinguishers and water drums, subject to freezing, shall be protected from freezing.

• A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, shall be provided within 50 feet of wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the jobsite. This requirement does not apply to the integral fuel tanks of motor vehicles.

• Carbon tetrachloride and other toxic vaporizing liquid fire extinguishers are prohibited.

• Portable fire extinguishers shall be inspected periodically and maintained in accordance with Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers, NFPA No. 10A-1970. Fire extinguishers which have been listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, shall be used to meet the requirements of this subpart.

• Table F-1 in §1926.150(c)(1)(x) may be used as a guide for selecting the appropriate portable fire extinguishers.

In practice, though, you may also want to consider other factors, such as the training and mobility of the workers or others in the building, the type of construction, the existence of other fire protection systems, evacuation plans, etc.

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