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The Fire District has
developed a fire protection plan that includes public and private
responsibility. The District has established a "normal fire
control capability" by building a fire suppression force,
providing firefighting equipment, and by developing support
services necessary to cope with an anticipated fire risk. Above
that anticipated level of fire risk, built in protection will be
provided by the private sector.
Portable fire extinguishers are an important part of the total
fire protection plan for a building and should be installed in
addition to other fire protection features. Extinguishers are a
quick response device designed to control fires in their beginning
stages. When properly used by trained persons the correct type of
extinguisher is capable of handling a variety of types of fires.
The effectiveness of extinguishers also depends on the proper
spacing and placement of them in relation to the hazard they are
protecting. The following policy is designed to outline the
minimum requirements of the Vacaville Fire District for the use of
portable fire extinguishers.
AUTHORITY
California Fire Code Article 10, Section 1002.1 states
that portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in occupancies
and locations as set forth in this code and as required by the
Chief.
California Fire Code Article 10, Section 1001.9 states that the
Chief is authorized to require additional safeguards where special
hazards exist.
The California Fire Code, Title 19 CCR, CFC Standards 10 1 and
NFC 10 may be utilized by the Chief.
LOCATION AND SPACING REQUIREMENTS
The number of fire extinguishers needed to protect a
property shall be a minimum of one 2 A:10 BC per every 1500 square
feet in all occupancies. Warehouse occupancies may use one 4 A:60
BC extinguisher per every 3000 square feet. In addition, travel
distances from any point in a building to an extinguisher should
be considered. As a general rule this maximum travel distance
should not exceed 75 feet. When the protected hazard involves
flammable liquids, the distance may be reduced to 50 or 30 feet,
depending on the capacity of the extinguisher.
Special hazard situations, location and spacing requirements
for special hazard situations shall be determined by the Chief.
Newly constructed apartment buildings that have upstairs units
with a common landing shall have at least one 2 A:10 BC
extinguisher for each floor level. Multiple occupancies served by
a common corridor such as a doctor's office complex having access
to a "community fire extinguisher" need not have an extinguisher
in each office as long as square footage and travel distance
requirements are met.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
All extinguishers shall be U.L. listed and approved by the
California State Fire Marshal. All extinguishers shall be
inspected annually by a concern licensed by the State Fire
Marshal. Extinguishers shall be conspicuously located, readily
available, and plainly marked. The extinguisher should be mounted
in a bracket with the top not higher than 5 feet from the floor.
When approved by the inspector, extinguishers need not be readily
visible provided adequate visible directional signs are installed
indicating the location of the extinguisher, (i.e., inside a
closet, with a sign on the door stating "FIRE EXTINGUISHER").
Revised Fire Captain Tim Walton, June 12, 2001 |
