Why Fire Extinguishers Are Required

Excerpt from NC State Fire Codes 2002 Edition

906.2 General requirements.

Fire extinguishers shall be selected, installed and maintained in accordance with this section and NFPA 10.   .

Fire Prevention Code - 2002 Edition

906.1 Where required.

Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in the following locations.

1.     In Group A, B, E, F, H, I , M, R-1, R-2, R-4 and S occupancies.
2.     Within 30 feet (9144 mm) of commercial cooking equipment.
3.     In areas where flammable or combustible liquids are stored, used or dispensed.
4.    On each floor of structures under construction, except Group R-3 occupancies,
5.     Special-hazard areas, including but not limited to laboratories, computer rooms, and generator rooms where required by the code official.
6. Adult day care facilities in Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies shall have  at least one    2-A:10-B:C  fire extinguisher provided per floor with a maximum  of 40 feet travel distance to the extinguisher

904.11.5 Commercial cooking equipment.

Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided within a 30-foot (9144 mm) travel distance of commercial-type cooking equipment. Cooking equipment involving vegetable or animal oils and fats shall be protected by a Class K rated portable extinguisher. Top of Form

Conspicuous location.

Extinguishers shall be located in conspicuous locations where they will be readily accessible and immediately available for use. These locations shall be along normal paths of travel, unless the code official determines that the hazard presented indicates the need for placement away from normal paths of travel.

906.6 Unobstructed and unobscured.

Fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed

906.7 Hangers and brackets.

Hand-held portable fire extinguishers, not housed in cabinets, shall be installed on the hangers or brackets supplied. Hangers or brackets shall be securely anchored to the mounting surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions

906.9 Height above floor.

Portable fire extinguishers having a gross weight not exceeding 40 pounds (18 kg) shall be installed so that its top is not more than 5 feet (1524 mm) above the floor. Hand-held portable fire extinguishers having a gross weight exceeding 40 pounds (18 kg) shall be installed so that its top is not more than 3.5 feet (1067 mm) above the floor. The clearance between the floor and the bottom of installed hand-held extinguishers shall not be less than 4 inches (102 mm).

These are merely excerpts.