Do Fire Extinguishers Need To Have An Identifying Sign?
Does my fire extinguisher need a sign? If you own a building or business you might have Googled this question before. Maybe that is even how you ended up here. The reason being is because OSHA and The National Fire Protection Association don’t exactly give an upfront yes or no. Keep reading and we’ll break it down for you.
OSHA Fire Extinguisher Sign Requirements
While OSHA regulation 1910 goes in-depth regarding placement, use, maintenance, and training of fire extinguishers, signage is hardly mentioned. This makes is confusing for some business owners to decipher whether or not they will need fire extinguisher signage.
The Federal OSHA regulation 1910.157(c) states, “the employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.”
First glance might have you thinking you don’t need a fire extinguisher sign. However, the word identify in the sentence suggests otherwise. A perfect example is if the fire extinguisher is mounted to the wall and not visible up close or is blocked by shelving or machinery. Our take on that is to go ahead and get a sign (or two) and make sure the fire extinguisher can be easily found and identified.
NFPA Fire Extinguisher Sign Requirements
The National Fire Protection Association touches on the subject of extinguisher signs in a similar fashion. According to their standards, fire extinguishers that are inside cabinets must be “marked conspicuously”.
The document also goes on to say that if visual obstructions exist then “means shall be provided to indicate the extinguisher location.”
NFPA goes on to discuss what type of fire extinguisher sign is required. Signs that are used to indicate fire extinguisher locations need to be within close proximity to the extinguisher and be visible from the normal path of travel.
Local building codes tend to follow NFPA Standards. Besides the traditional fire extinguisher sign with an arrow, consider fire extinguisher floor decal signage. Both options are a great way to identify where the fire extinguisher is.
How High do Signs Need to be Mounted?
After you get your sign you might be asking where exactly it needs to be placed. The main goal is to ensure that the extinguisher can be easily identified from a distance. Meaning if shelving, machinery, or pallets are in the way you can still easily find the location of it.
Depending on your building or job site the height of your sign will vary. In certain circumstances, you might need to place your sign near the ceiling, and other times you can get away with putting it just 1-2 feet above.
The Bottom Line
Fire extinguisher signs are a must in buildings and businesses. OSHA inspectors will expect to be able to easily spot them and so will local building inspectors (who generally follow the NFPA regulations). Luckily fire extinguisher signs are fairly inexpensive and can quickly be put up.
Make sure you have good fire safety practice with fire extinguisher signs. Contact our experts to learn more about the various fire extinguisher and fire safety sign options available.
