Portable Fire Extinguishers – California

Fire is the most common type of emergency that businesses must plan for. Using portable fire extinguishers is one method that employees, or fire brigade members, can use to fight a fire in the workplace. However, because there are three options given to employers regarding employee evacuations, the application of the requirements will depend on established policies and procedures.

Scope

Similar to the federal standard, Cal/OSHA states that the employer must provide portable fire extinguishers and must mount, locate, and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.

If the employer provides portable extinguishers for use by employees, then all requirements under Section 6151 apply.

If the employer has established and implemented a written fire safety policy, which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal and includes an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan, and when extinguishers are not available in the workplace, the requirements of Section 6151 do not apply, unless a specific Section in Title 8 requires that a portable fire extinguisher be provided.

If the employer has an emergency action plan that designates certain employees to use the available portable fire extinguishers and requires all other employees in the fire area to immediately evacuate the affected work area upon the sounding of the fire alarm, the employer is exempt from the distribution requirements in Section 6151(d). Click the following links to view applicable requirements.

Fire extinguishers

Emergency action plan - California

Fire prevention plan - California

Citations

California: Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, Group 27, Article 157, Section 6151. Portable Fire Extinguishers

California: Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, Group 1, Article 2, Section 3220. Emergency Action Plan

California: Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, Group 1, Article 2, Section 3221. Fire Prevention Plan

Federal: 29 CFR 1910.156

Federal: 29 CFR 1910.157

A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• The portable fire extinguisher standard requires employers to:
  • Select and distribute fire extinguishers based on the potential type and size of fire that can occur.
  • Mount fire extinguishers so they are easily accessible to employees.
  • Inspect, maintain, and test fire extinguishers per the manufacturer’s written instructions.
  • Educate employees on the principles and practices of using a fire extinguisher and the hazards associated with fighting small or developing fires, if fire extinguishers are available for employee use.