Extintores

August 1996

SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Information Bulletin #9610 Fire Extinguishers
Requirements for Businesses
The type of fire extinguisher you need for your place of business is determinedby the type of business and the materials found in the building. These also determine where the extinguishers will be located. Retail stores, storage facilities, and parking garages must have a Class2A fire extinguisher for every 3,000 square feet. There must be at least one extinguisher on every floor. Fire extinguishers must be placed so that people do not have to travel more than 75 feet toreach one. Parking garages must have a Class 2A fire extinguisher at each pedestrian exit. Office buildings, residential buildings, such as apartments or condominiums, and public assemblies must have aClass 2A fire extinguisher for every 6,000 square feet. There must be at least one extinguisher on every floor. Fire extinguishers must be placed so that people do not have to travel more than 75 feetto reach one. Boiler Rooms with oil-fired boilers require a 10BC fire extinguisher within 30 feet of the room. Retail stores, storage facilities, and garages that have permits for the use/storage ofhazardous materials, or that have permits for hazardous processes, must have fire extinguishers with a minimum rating of 2A40BC. The fire extinguishers must be within 30 feet of each other. Apartments,motels or condominiums with open balconies, or with exits that lead directly to the outside, may have their extinguishers located in a manager’s room, laundry room, storage room, or in exterior
FirePrevention Division

break-glass cabinets. This may be done with the permission of the Seattle Fire Department Inspecting Officer. Restaurant kitchens must have a Class 40BC extinguisher in thekitchen area. The ingredients inside these types of extinguishers are either “wet chemicals” or “dry chemicals.” If you purchase a fire extinguisher for your kitchen that contains a dry chemical, make...