Occupational Safety and Health Administration

USA Department of Labor

OSHA OUTREACH SAFETY TRAINING

Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

Selection and Distribution of Fire Extinguishers

Introduction:
• Unlike some products, extinguishers have to be installed in public
premises, and a standard form of assessment is required to determine
how many extinguishers and what type are needed to protect a given
risk.
• The size and type of portable fire extinguisher is based on the total
amount of Class A combustible materials, the total amount of Class B
flammables, or, for some occupancies, a combination of both.
• For many areas, the extinguishing agent also must be compatible with
energized electrical equipment.

Classification of Hazards:
NFPA 10 provides the following criteria for determining the classification of
hazards:
1. Light (Low) Hazard:
• Are locations in which the total amount of Class A combustible
materials, including furnishings, decorations, and contents, is minor.
• These occupancies may include buildings or rooms occupied as
offices, classrooms, assembly halls, the guest rooms of hotels or
motels, and so on.

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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
USA Department of Labor
OSHA OUTREACH SAFETY TRAINING

Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

• This classification anticipates that most of the contents of the

occupancy are either noncompustible or that they have been arranged
in such a manner that a fire is not likely to spread rapidly among
them.
• Small amount of Class B flammables used in duplicating machines,
art departments, and the like are included, provided they are kept in
closed containers and are stored safely.

2. Ordinary (Moderate) Hazard

• Are locations in which the total amount of Class A and Class B are
present in greater amounts than may be expected in light hazard
occupancies.
• These occupancies may consist of dining areas, mercantile shops and
their allied storage, light manufacturing facilities, research operations,
auto show rooms, parking garages, the workshop or support service
areas of light hazard occupancies, and warehouses containing Class I
or Class II commodities.

3. Extra (High) Hazards

• Are locations in which the total amount of Class A and Class B
present in storage, in production, or as finished products is over that
expected in ordinary hazard occupancies.
• These occupancies may consist of woodworking shops, vehicle repair
areas, aircraft and boat servicing facilities, cooking areas, product
showrooms, convection center displays, painting, dipping and coating
areas, also included is warehousing or in-process storage of
commodities other than Class I and II commodities.

Distributing Extinguishers
• After the hazard classification of an occupancy has been determined,
the portable extinguishers can be distributed.
• Extinguishers should be placed in locations that are readily available,
provide easy access and are readily free from temporary blockage.

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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
USA Department of Labor
OSHA OUTREACH SAFETY TRAINING

Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

• Near normal paths of travel, near exits and entrances, and are free
from the potential of physical damage.
• Mounted on walls, the operating instructions must face outwards, and
can be removed easily.
• Ext. with gross weight of no more than 40 pounds (18 kgs) should be
installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 feet
above the floor.
• Ext. more than 40 pounds (except wheeled types) should be installed
so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 3.5 feet from the
floor.
• In no case should the clearance between the bottom of the
extinguisher and the floor be less than 4 inches.

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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
USA Department of Labor
OSHA OUTREACH SAFETY TRAINING

Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

Minimum number and rating for Class A fires

Light (low) Ordinary Extra (High)
hazard (Mod.) Hazard Hazard
occupancy
Min. Rated Single Ext.
2-A 2-A 4-A
Maximum floor area per
unit of A 3000 sq. ft. 1500 sq. ft. 1000 sq. ft.
Max. floor area for ext. 11250 sq. ft. 11250 sq. ft. 11250 sq. ft.
Max. travel dist. to Ext 75 ft. 75 ft. 75 ft.

Maximum Area Ext. Can Protect:

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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
USA Department of Labor
OSHA OUTREACH SAFETY TRAINING

Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

Distribution of Class A Fire Extinguishers

.Max. Area to be Protected Per Ext. sq. ft Max. Travel Class A
Distance Rating
Extra Ord. Hazard Light
Hazard Hazard
----- ----- ----- ‫ قدم‬75 1A
----- 3000 6000 ‫ قدم‬75 A2
----- 4500 9000 ‫ قدم‬75 A3
4000 6000 11250 ‫ قدم‬75 A4
6000 9000 11250 ‫ قدم‬75 A6
10000 11250 11250 ‫ قدم‬75 A 10
11250 11250 11250 ‫ قدم‬75 A 20
11250 11250 11250 ‫ قدم‬75 A 30
11250 11250 11250 ‫ قدم‬75 A 40

Example:
A single story building with the dimension of 450 ft. And 150 ft, we need to
distribute Class A fire extinguishers for this building:

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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
USA Department of Labor
OSHA OUTREACH SAFETY TRAINING

Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

Area = 450X150 = 67500 Ft²

• From the table:
• 67500 / 11250 = 6 fire ext.
• 6 x 4A light hazard
• 6 x 10A ordinary hazard
• 6 x 20A extra hazard
• The travel distance rule (75ft) has been violated.

• 67500 / 6000 = 12 fire extinguishers

• 12 x 2A light hazard
• 12 x 4A ordinary hazard
• 12 x 6A extra hazard
• In this case both distribution and travel distance rules are fulfilled.

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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
USA Department of Labor
OSHA OUTREACH SAFETY TRAINING

Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

Distribution of Class B Fire Extinguishers:

‫أقصى مسافة بين موقع الخطر‬ ‫الحد األدنى لمعدل أداء الجهاز‬ ‫نوع المخاطر‬
‫وموقع الجهاز‬ Minimum Ext. Rating Type of Hazards
Max. Travel Distance

‫ قدم‬30 B5 ‫مخاطر خفيفة‬

‫ قدم‬50 B 10 Light Hazards

‫ قدم‬30 B 10 ‫مخاطر عادية‬

‫ قدم‬50 B 20 Ordinary Hazards

‫ قدم‬30 40B ‫مخاطر جسيمة‬

‫ قدم‬50 80B Extra Hazards

• In areas in which flammable liquids are not expected to reach an

appreciable depth, extinguishers shoud be provided according to the
above table, the basic maximum travel distance to Class B fire
extinguishers is 50 feet. With lower – rated extinguishers the travel
distance drops to 30 feet.
• Where flammable liquids are likely to reach an appreciable depth,
Class B-rated fire extinguisher must be provided on the basis of at
least two numerical units of Class B extinguishing potential per square
foot of flammable liquid surface of the largest tank hazard in the area.

Distribution for CLASS C

• Installed where there is live electrical equipment.
• Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical, and Halons
• Power has cut off the fire becomes Class A or Class B.

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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
USA Department of Labor
OSHA OUTREACH SAFETY TRAINING

Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

Distribution for Class D:

• The amount of agent needed normally is figured according to the
surface area of the metal plus the shape and form of the metal which
can contribute to the severity of the fire.
• Travel distance 75 ft.

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