For OSHA construction safety, the rule on fire extinguishers at a job site is 29 CFR 1926.150, Fire protection, in Subpart F of the construction standards. This explainer reads that section as it stands in the eCFR. It does not describe a rule change, and it does not cover general industry workplaces (those fall under Part 1910).
Who is responsible for fire protection on the site?
The employer. 1926.150(a)(1) states: "The employer shall be responsible for the development of a fire protection program to be followed throughout all phases of the construction and demolition work, and he shall provide for the firefighting equipment as specified in this subpart." The same paragraph adds: "As fire hazards occur, there shall be no delay in providing the necessary equipment."
Paragraph (a) also sets three basic duties for the equipment itself:
- "Access to all available firefighting equipment shall be maintained at all times."
- "All firefighting equipment, provided by the employer, shall be conspicuously located."
- "All firefighting equipment shall be periodically inspected and maintained in operating condition. Defective equipment shall be immediately replaced."
How many fire extinguishers are required?
The count is based on floor area. 1926.150(c)(1)(i) states: "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." The same paragraph limits the distance: "Travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet."
Floors are covered separately. Under (c)(1)(iv), "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."
What about fuel and flammable gas on the job?
A second kind of extinguisher is required near flammable materials. 1926.150(c)(1)(vi) states: "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." The same paragraph sets one limit on its scope: "This requirement does not apply to the integral fuel tanks of motor vehicles."
Can something else take the place of an extinguisher?
The section allows a few substitutes for a 2A extinguisher, each with conditions:
- A drum of water: "One 55-gallon open drum of water with two fire pails may be substituted for a fire extinguisher having a 2A rating" (c)(1)(ii).
- A garden-type hose: a 1/2-inch hose line "not to exceed 100 feet in length and equipped with a nozzle" may be substituted, "providing it is capable of discharging a minimum of 5 gallons per minute with a minimum hose stream range of 30 feet horizontally" (c)(1)(iii). The hose lines "shall be mounted on conventional racks or reels," and their number and location must be "such that at least one hose stream can be applied to all points in the area."
- A fire hose: "One hundred feet, or less, of 1 1/2-inch hose, with a nozzle capable of discharging water at 25 gallons or more per minute, may be substituted for a fire extinguisher rated not more than 2A in the designated area provided that the hose line can reach all points in the area" (c)(2)(i).
Are any extinguishers not allowed?
Yes. Under (c)(1)(vii), "Carbon tetrachloride and other toxic vaporizing liquid fire extinguishers are prohibited." The extinguishers used must be listed or approved: (c)(1)(ix) states that "Fire extinguishers which have been listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, shall be used to meet the requirements of this subpart."
Do extinguishers need inspection and protection from the cold?
The section requires both. Paragraph (c)(1)(viii) states: "Portable fire extinguishers shall be inspected periodically and maintained in accordance with Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers, NFPA No. 10A-1970." Paragraph (c)(1)(v) adds: "Extinguishers and water drums, subject to freezing, shall be protected from freezing." For choosing the right type, (c)(1)(x) says "Table F-1 may be used as a guide for selecting the appropriate portable fire extinguishers."
What else does 1926.150 cover?
Beyond portable equipment, the section also covers water supply, sprinklers, standpipes, alarms and fire cutoffs. Two examples: under (e)(1), "An alarm system, e.g., telephone system, siren, etc., shall be established by the employer whereby employees on the site and the local fire department can be alerted for an emergency," and under (b)(1), a water supply able to run the firefighting equipment "shall be made available as soon as combustible materials accumulate."
Where to study this
The construction general safety rules, including the employer's fire protection and prevention duty in 1926.24, are in our OSHA construction general safety study guide, with a practice test. The general industry rules for portable fire extinguishers are a separate standard; see the OSHA general industry fire protection study guide.