How Many Fire Extinguishers Do I Need?

This is a common question we are asked by customers who are looking to purchase fire extinguishers for their home or their business. Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple cookie cutter answer for this question. Local laws, NFPA and OSHA have different requirements that you’ll need to research and evaluate before making a decision. But we can help and give you a list of things to consider when doing your calculations.

- How big is the building?
  - Generally speaking, you need to have at least 1 fire extinguisher for every 3500 square feet of building.
- Are there multiple levels?
  - On multi story buildings, you should have at least 1 fire extinguisher per level.
- Where are the egresses?
  - You should have a fire extinguisher at fire exits so that in the event of a fire, anyone trying to get out can use the fire extinguisher to clear a path for a safe exit.
  - If there are multiple emergency exits, be sure to have fire extinguishers available for each.
- What level of fire hazard is present in the building?
  - Different building materials, building contents and other situations can lead to varying different levels of fire danger. The types and quantities of fire extinguishers needed can vary greatly.
- Are there flammable chemicals present?
  - If there are 5 or more gallons of flammables, you need a fire extinguisher within a maximum of 50’ from those chemicals.
  - Make sure the appropriate type of fire extinguishers are present for the chemicals present in your facility.
- How accessible are the fire extinguishers?
  - While you may have access within 75’ to a fire extinguisher, do you have to run through cubicles and down a hallway to reach it? If so, you may need additional fire extinguishers. Layout of a building or a room needs to be considered for quantity and placement of fire extinguishers.
- Are there other means of fire protection systems in place?
  - Fire ratings on walls, doors, and other factors can increase or decrease the need for fire extinguishers in certain areas.
  - Building fire suppression systems such as sprinkler systems may be present and considered while evaluating how many fire extinguishers you need.

Individual situations vary greatly. When you ask “How many fire extinguishers do I need?” we suggest getting a consultation by a professional who is familiar with building codes, NFPA and OSHA standards, and most importantly has experience identifying and evaluating spaces for fire hazards.