How much distance must be maintained around a fire extinguisher?

OSHA nor NFPA define or specify a clearance distance for fire extinguishers but simply wants employers to make them readily accessible. At 1910.157(c)(1), OSHA states only that employers shall “mount, locate and identify (fire extinguishers) so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.” NFPA 10, “Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers,” states at 1-6.3 “Fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located where they will be readily accessible and immediately available...” and at 1-6.6 “Fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed...”

Best practice: An industry rule of thumb for fire extinguishers keeping the area in front of the units clear and easily accessible is to keep three feet in front of the unit as well as a 30 inch width clear. This is adopted from electrical panel clearance from 1910.303.

If an employer can quickly go to and easily retrieve an extinguisher without stepping over or moving materials, OSHA should be satisfied. However, whether or not there is a “blockage” or “accessibility” issue would be carefully scrutinized by an OSHA inspector. Most employers keep the floor beneath the fire extinguisher clear, and will mark that area with tape or floor markings so that nothing is inadvertently placed there.

The Authorities having Jurisdiction (AHJ) such as your local fire marshal may have more defined requirements.