Are fire extinguisher signs required?

At first glance, OSHA does not seem to say anything about posting signs in the standard. However, there is an OSHA directive to “identify” fire extinguishers. Identify seems to imply some type of a sign. According to NFPA 10’s standards, the location of fire extinguishers housed inside cabinets must be “marked conspicuously.”[1] Also, in large rooms and in places where visual obstructions exist, “means shall be provided to indicate the extinguisher location.”[2] Local building codes typically follow NFPA standards. The fire extinguisher can be identified with either a sign or a decal. The issue with a decal on the fire extinguisher is that in a large room, it may be difficult to locate the decal or fire extinguisher until you walk near it. A sign above the fire extinguisher is more readily identifiable.

However, according to 1910.144, red is the basic color for identification of fire protection equipment and apparatus. As such, fire extinguisher signage or other identifiers should be red. Also, employers must comply with state and local fire code which may dictate more specific requirements regarding markings and labels.