Fire safety is a issue that must be taken seriously if you own or intend to own a commercial business. Fire extinguishers are required in every commercially owned building for fire protection. They are a fail-safe to help contain and eliminate the risk of fire spreading. There are different classes of extinguishers for different situations. Requirements are in place to help keep fire extinguishers conveniently and safely operable during the untimely crisis of a fire.
Class A Extinguishers
Class A fire extinguishers are for use in such areas as small offices, school classrooms and assembly halls. For this class, a fire extinguisher must be installed within 75 feet of any employee.
Read More: DOT Requirements for Fire Extinguishers
Class B Extinguishers
Class B fire extinguishers are used by businesses such as auto-repair shops, factories, warehouses or research facilities. At these locations, there must be an extinguisher in place within 50 feet of any employee.
Class C Extinguishers
Class C fire extinguishers are for businesses that are using any form of energized electrical equipment such as small appliances or power tools. This special extinguisher is used to prevent against possible electrical shock from a fire started from an electrical source. Class C extinguishers must be within 50 to 75 feet of all employees. The exact spacing requirement depends on the type of business.
Class D Extinguishers
This class of fire extinguisher is designed to combat fires that contain combustible metals such as magnesium or titanium. These extinguishers must be placed within 75 feet of any area containing regular creation by-product of combustible metals.
Class K Extinguishers
This class of extinguisher is meant to combat kitchen-related fires that are caused by products such as vegetable oil, cooking fats or grease by-product. Any commercial business that has an operational kitchen must have an extinguisher installed within 30 feet of the kitchen area.
Installation
All extinguishers should be mounted to the wall via brackets or specially made wall cabinets. The extinguisher's carrying handle should be 3 1/2 feet to 5 feet from the floor. Any large extinguishers should have the handle accessible no higher than 3 feet from the floor.