How Many Fire Extinguishers Do You Need?
By Terence O’Reilly, Jr. and Sean O’Reilly, Sr.
Many factors play a role in calculating the number, size, location and class of fire extinguishers you’ll need to keep your building, employees and customers safe while staying up to code.
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and local municipalities provide requirements for the specific number of fire extinguishers that must be present in buildings.
Simply put, the components that determine the requirements include details about your building or space, the size and layout, what it contains and its primary function. A basic NFPA rule dictates that a person should walk no more than 75 feet to reach a fire extinguisher. However, if you’re operating a commercial kitchen, a fire extinguisher should be within 30 feet of the stove so it can be accessed quickly in an emergency. Since every building scenario is different, you should really speak to a professional fire protection company.
The certified technicians at Universal Fire Protection, a TERMAC Company, can evaluate your property, advise on both code and safety, and guide you on the number, type and placement of your extinguishers. In addition, the Universal Fire Protection safety team can inspect, install and maintain your fire extinguishers as well as provide training to you and your staff.
For all of fire safety and protection questions including suppression systems, exit and emergency lighting and service, contact Universal Fire Protection at 800-601-4663 • UNIVERSALFIREPROTECTION.COM. Serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia.
Termac Corporation is a family-owned business serving the hospitality industry for more than 57 years with its cleaning and sanitation products. To meet the needs of this evolving market, it established a system of service and developed The Filter Man, GTO Grease Trap Services, Universal Fire Protection and AllPro Stainless Steel and Metal Fabrication.
