N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 906: Section FC 906: Portable Fire Extinguishers

906.1 Where required.

Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in the following locations.

1. In all Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2 adult homes and enriched housing, and S occupancies.

2. Within 30 feet (9144 mm) of commercial cooking equipment.

3. In areas where flammable or combustible liquids are manufactured, stored, handled and used, including dispensing, in quantities requiring a permit pursuant to FC 105.6.

4. On each floor of structures under construction, alteration or demolition, except detached Group R-3 occupancies, in accordance with FC 3315.1.

5. Where required by the sections indicated in FC Table 906.1.

6. Special-hazard areas, including but not limited to laboratories, computer rooms and generator rooms, where required by the commissioner.

7. Where required by other provisions of this code or the rules.

FC Table 906.1 Additional Required Portable Fire Extinguishers

Section

Subject

303.5

Tar kettles and asphalt melters

307.4

Open fires

307.5.4

Portable outdoor barbecues

308.5.3.2

Flaming food and beverage preparation in Group A occupancies and public gathering places

308.6.4

Alcohol fueled decorative open-flame device

309.4 and 309.7*

Powered industrial trucks and storage areas

310.7.3.4

Non-tobacco hookah establishment

315.3.6

Outdoor storage of combustible material

317.5.2

Automotive salvage and wrecking facilities

603.3.1

Fuel oil-burning equipment

609.9

Commercial kitchen

2005.2

Aircraft towing vehicles

2005.3

Aircraft welding apparatus

2005.4

Aircraft-fueling vehicles

2005.5

Aircraft hydrant-fueling vehicles

2005.6

Aircraft fuel-dispensing stations

2007.7

Heliports and helistops

2010.6.2

Helicopter lift operations

2108.4

Dry cleaning facilities

2305.5

Automotive liquid motor fuel-dispensing facilities

2308.7.4.2

CNG motor fuel-dispensing facilities

2310.6.4

Marine liquid motor fuel-dispensing facilities

2311.7 and 2311.8.7

Repair garages

2404.4.10

Spraying spaces

2404.5.5

Limited spraying areas

2405.5.3

Dip-tank rooms and spaces

2406.4.6

Powder coating rooms and spaces

2410.1.2

Floor finishing operations

2808.8

Storage of wood chips and other wood waste materials

2809.5

Exterior lumber storage

2903.5

Organic-coating areas

3006.3

Industrial furnaces

3104.12

Tents and other membrane structures

3206.10

High-piled storage

3315.1

Buildings, structures, premises and facilities under construction, alteration or demolition

3317.3

Roofing operations

3408.2

Tire rebuilding/storage

3504.2.6

Welding and other hot work

3605.2.3

Marina fire protection systems and equipment

3703.6 and 3706.6.4

Combustible fibers

4006.14

Distilleries

5007.9.3

Transportation of flammable and combustible liquids in cargo tanks

5306.7

Medical gas storage

5606.8

Powder-actuated tool loads at a construction site

5609.6.1

Special effects

5703.2.1

Flammable and combustible liquids, general

5704.3.3.1

Indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids

5704.3.7.5.2

Liquid storage rooms for flammable and combustible liquids

5705.4.9

Solvent distillation units

5706.2.7

Construction sites – flammable and combustible liquids storage

5706.2.8

Construction sites – dispensing from cargo tanks

5706.4.10.1

Bulk plants and terminals for flammable and combustible liquids

5706.8.1(20)

Vapor recovery and processing equipment at bulk plants and terminals

5707.8

Fleet fueling operations

5806.5

Sterilizers using flammable gas containing ethylene oxide

6108.2

LPG

906.2 General requirements.

Portable fire extinguishers shall be selected, installed and maintained in accordance with this section and NFPA 10.

Exceptions:

1. The travel distance to reach a portable fire extinguisher shall not apply to the spectator seating portions of Group A-5 occupancies.

2. In Group I-3, portable fire extinguishers may be provided at staff locations.

906.2.1 Maintenance.

Portable fire extinguishers shall be maintained in accordance with FC 901.6 and this section.

906.2.1.1 Monthly inspection.

An inspection to verify that the portable fire extinguishers are readily available and in good working order shall be conducted at least once a month. The person conducting such inspections shall keep records of all portable fire extinguishers inspected, including the date the inspection was performed, the person performing the inspection, and those portable fire extinguishers found to require corrective action. Such recordkeeping shall be either kept on a tag or label securely attached to the portable fire extinguisher, on an inspection checklist maintained on file or by an approved electronic method that provides a permanent record.

Exception: An inspection to verify that the portable fire extinguishers are readily available and in good working order shall be conducted at least once every 3 years for dry-chemical or halogenated agent portable fire extinguishers that are monitored by a listed and approved electronic monitoring device complying with all of the following requirements:

1. The electronic monitoring device shall continuously confirm the proper location and charge of each portable fire extinguisher so monitored.

2. Loss of power to the electronic monitoring device or other interruption of the proper functioning of such device shall initiate a trouble signal at an approved location on the premises at which the portable fire extinguisher being monitored is installed.

3. The portable fire extinguisher being monitored shall be located indoors or in cabinets outdoors. The portable fire extinguisher being monitored shall not be in a corrosive environment.

4. The periodic inspection of the portable fire extinguisher shall include inspection and testing of the electronic monitoring device.

5. An electronic record that the electronic monitoring of the portable fire extinguisher is being maintained, and that the portable fire extinguisher is properly located and charged, shall be maintained in accordance with FC 107.7.

906.2.1.2 Servicing.

Annual servicing and recharging shall be conducted in accordance with NFPA 10 by an approved portable fire extinguisher servicing company and a technician meeting the requirements of FC 901.6.3.1.

906.2.1.3 Hydrostatic testing.

Periodic hydrostatic testing of portable fire extinguishers shall be done in accordance with NFPA 10.

906.2.1.4 Proof of compliance.

A portable fire extinguisher servicing company holding a company certificate shall document its servicing of a portable fire extinguisher by affixing to the portable fire extinguisher the proof of compliance approved for such purposes and in such other manner as may be required by the rules.

906.3 Size and distribution.

The size and distribution of portable fire extinguishers shall be in accordance with FC 906.3.1 through 906.3.4.

906.3.1 Class A fire hazards.

The minimum size, number and placement of portable fire extinguishers in occupancies in which there is a Class A fire hazard risk (ordinary combustible materials) shall be in accordance with FC Table 906.3.1.

906.3.1.1 Sprinklered areas.

In buildings classified as Group A-3 occupancy houses of worship and Group B occupancy office buildings that are protected throughout by a sprinkler system, the maximum floor area per unit of A required by FC Table 906.3.1 may be doubled.

906.3.2 Class B fire hazards.

The minimum size, number and placement of portable fire extinguishers in occupancies in which there is a Class B fire hazard risk (flammable or combustible liquids with depths of less than or equal to 0.25-inch (6.35 mm)) shall be in accordance with FC Table 906.3.2. The minimum size, number and placement of portable fire extinguishers in occupancies in which there is a Class B fire hazard risk (flammable or combustible liquids with depths greater than 0.25-inch (6.35 mm)) shall be in accordance with NFPA 10.

906.3.3 Class C fire hazards.

The minimum size, number and placement of portable fire extinguishers in which there is a Class C fire hazard risk (energized electrical equipment) shall be in accordance with NFPA 10.

906.3.4 Class D fire hazards.

The minimum size, number and placement of portable fire extinguishers in occupancies in which there is a Class D fire hazard risk (combustible metals) shall be in accordance with NFPA 10.

FC Table 906.3.1 Portable Fire Extinguishers for Class a Fire Hazards

Light (Low) Hazard Occupancy

d

Ordinary (Moderate) Hazard Occupancy

d

Extra (High) Hazard Occupancy

d

Minimum Rated Single Extinguisher

2-A

c

2-A

4-A

a

Maximum Floor Area Per Unit of A

3,000 square feet

e

1,500 square feet

1,000 square feet

Maximum Travel Distance to Extinguisher

75 feet

75 feet

75 feet

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.

a. Two 2 1/2-gallon water-type extinguishers shall be deemed the equivalent of one 4-A rated extinguisher.

b. Reserved.

c. Two water-type extinguishers each with a 1-A rating shall be deemed the equivalent of one 2-A rated extinguisher for Light (Low) Hazard Occupancies.

d. For the purposes of FC Table 906.3.1, the terms "Light (Low) Hazard", "Ordinary (Moderate) Hazard" and "Extra (High) Hazard" shall be as defined in NFPA 10.

e. In occupancies classified as Groups A-3, B, or E which are protected throughout by a sprinkler system, the maximum floor area per unit of A may be doubled.

FC Table 906.3.2 Flammable or Combustible Liquids with Depths of less than or Equal to 0.25-inch

a

Type of Hazard

Basic Minimum Portable Fire Extinguisher Rating

Maximum Travel Distance to Portable Fire Extinguishers (feet)

Light (Low)

5-B 10-B

30 50

Ordinary (Moderate)

10-B 20-B

30 50

Extra (High)

40-B 80-B

30 50

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

a. For requirements on water-soluble flammable liquids and alternative sizing criteria, see NFPA 10.

906.4 Cooking grease fires.

Portable fire extinguishers provided for the protection of cooking grease fires shall be of an approved type compatible with the fire extinguishing system agent and in accordance with FC 609.9.

906.5 Conspicuous location.

Portable fire extinguishers shall be located in conspicuous locations where they will be readily accessible and immediately available for use. These locations shall be along normal paths of travel, unless the commissioner determines that the hazard posed indicates the need for placement away from normal paths of travel.

Exceptions:

1. Portable fire extinguishers subject to theft, malicious use or damage may be located in locations approved by the commissioner.

2. In rooming houses and single room occupancies, as defined in the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law, with over 15 sleeping rooms, a 2-A rated portable fire extinguisher may be kept in the apartment of the manager or the building superintendent.

906.6 Unobstructed and unobscured.

Portable fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view. In rooms or areas in which visual obstruction cannot be completely avoided, signs or other markings shall be provided to indicate the locations of portable fire extinguishers.

906.7 Hangers and brackets.

Hand-held portable fire extinguishers, not housed in cabinets, shall be installed on the hangers or brackets supplied. Hangers or brackets shall be securely anchored to the mounting surface in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

906.8 Cabinets.

Cabinets used to house portable fire extinguishers shall be readily identifiable and shall not be locked.

Exceptions:

1. Portable fire extinguishers subject to theft, malicious use or damage, if provided with an approved means of ready access.

2. Portable fire extinguishers in Group I-3 occupancies and in mental health areas in Group I-2 occupancies may be locked or located in staff locations, provided the staff of the institution has ready access to the cabinet or other storage location.

906.9 Extinguisher installation.

The installation of portable fire extinguishers shall be in accordance with FC 906.9.1 through 906.9.3.

906.9.1 Extinguishers weighing 40 pounds or less.

Portable fire extinguishers having a gross weight not exceeding 40 pounds (18 kg) shall be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 feet (1524 mm) above the floor.

906.9.2 Extinguishers weighing more than 40 pounds.

Hand-held portable fire extinguishers having a gross weight exceeding 40 pounds (18 kg) shall be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 3.5 feet (1067 mm) above the floor.

906.9.3 Floor clearance.

The clearance between the floor and the bottom of installed hand-held portable fire extinguishers shall not be less than 4 inches (102 mm).

906.10 Wheeled units.

Wheeled portable fire extinguishers shall be kept in a designated location that is readily accessible.