One part is ensuring you have the correct number of commercial fire extinguishers within your building.
As a building owner, it’s your responsibility to provide a secure work environment for your tenants, clients, or employees. One part is ensuring you have the correct number of commercial fire extinguishers within your building. They must also be in the right spot. So, let’s check out what the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says about where to place your fire extinguisher.
Depending on Your Business Type
Depending on your business industry, you must have a certain number of fire extinguishers within your commercial property. Also, the amount of fire extinguishers depends on your building’s square footage and fire risk classification. Some businesses, like restaurants, have cooking appliances and might need more fire extinguishers nearby than a retail clothing business. This is because the clothing store has fewer fire hazards within its four walls.
Determining the Number of Fire Extinguishers Your Property Needs
When determining how many commercial fire extinguishers your commercial building needs and the placement of these necessities, you should know the maximum travel distance between your location and a fire extinguisher within the building. Remember, you must only walk a distance significant to the maximum distance to arrive at a fire extinguisher in the building. Here are the distance requirements according to the NFPA guidelines:
- Class A – Ordinary Combustibles are 75 feet in maximum travel distance
- B – Flammable liquids are between 30 feet and 50 feet
- C – Electrical equipment – follow Class A or B requirements depending on the type
- D – Combustible metals are 75 feet
- K– Cooking media is 30 feet
Furthermore, Class A and B’s travel distances might change due to the anticipated hazard type and the extinguisher’s numerical rating.
Various Extinguisher Types
You are required to place commercial fire extinguishers in typical travel paths. In addition, these fire safety products must be located where they’re visible. When installing fire extinguishers on your property, they must be more than 4 inches off the ground and no more than 5 feet. If the fire extinguishers are more than 40 pounds, they can’t be more than 3 feet, 6 inches off the ground.
Judd Fire Protection can help ensure your business has the appropriate commercial fire extinguishers in the proper locations!
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480