How Many Fire Extinguishers Should a Business Have?

September 22, 2022

Fire extinguishers are required in nearly all buildings, ensuring the people inside can halt a blaze before it spreads. However, determining how many devices your property will need can be challenging. In fact, the amount will depend on particular aspects of your place of business. Here's what you should know.

3 Factors that Determine How Many Fire Extinguishers You Need

1. Size and Layout

Generally, larger buildings will need more fire extinguishers than smaller ones. That's because the required amount heavily depends on the size and layout. These devices must be accessible to everyone in the building, but there doesn't always need to be one in every room. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, portable extinguishers must be within 75 feet or less of all spaces in the building.

2. Fire Hazard Level

Depending on your industry, your building will have a particular fire hazard level. Schools, offices, and hotels have light fire hazard levels because of the low amount of flammable materials.

The risk of incidents is higher for establishments like assembly plants and commercial kitchens, as they work with combustibles, flammable liquids and gas, electrical equipment, and cooking oils or grease. If this applies to your business, the property will need more extinguishers.

A man checking fire extinguishers — Anchorage, AK — Accel Fire Systems, Inc.

3. Location and Placement

Different types of fire extinguishers are available. For instance, Class A varieties are for blazes caused by ordinary combustible materials like paper or wood, while Class C devices are for flames started by electrical equipment.

Placing the right kinds of extinguishers in the areas where they're needed most will help ensure safety. Their locations will also help you and a fire safety provider assess how many devices are necessary to keep the building OSHA-compliant.

Before ordering extinguishers for your business, determine the exact amount needed with help from Accel Fire Systems in Anchorage, AK. This fire and life safety company has over 20 years of experience designing and installing life-saving products. Whether you need fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, or other protection services, their team will ensure a safe place of business. Call (907) 349-1490 to speak with a team member, or visit them online to learn more about their services.