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Home / Code Guides / Fire Extinguisher Placement

Fire Extinguisher Placement Rules — IFC 906

Portable extinguishers are a fire code item, not a residential building code item: the IFC requires them in most commercial and multi-family occupancies, and then sets how many you need and how far anyone should have to walk to reach one. The mounting height rules come from NFPA 10, which the IFC adopts by reference.

RequirementModel Code StandardSection
Where extinguishers are requiredNew and existing Groups A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4 and S; within 30 ft of commercial cooking equipment; where flammable or combustible liquids are stored, used or dispensed; on every floor of a building under construction (except Group R-3); and in special-hazard areas such as labs, computer rooms and generator rooms where the fire code official requires themIFC 906.1
Equipment standardExtinguishers must be listed and labeled and selected, installed and maintained to NFPA 10IFC 906.2
Class A (ordinary combustibles) sizingMinimum 2-A rating for light and ordinary hazards, 4-A for extra hazard; each unit of A rating covers up to 3,000 sq ft (light), 1,500 sq ft (ordinary) or 1,000 sq ft (extra), with a cap of 11,250 sq ft per extinguisherIFC 906.3, Table 906.3(1)
Class A travel distanceNo point in the area may be more than 75 ft of travel from an extinguisherIFC 906.3, Table 906.3(1)
Class B (flammable liquids) travel distanceFor shallow liquid hazards, a 5-B extinguisher must be within 30 ft and a 10-B within 50 ft; deeper liquid hazards follow NFPA 10IFC 906.3, Table 906.3(2)
LocationConspicuous, readily accessible, along normal paths of travel, and not blocked or hidden by equipment or storageIFC 906.5, 906.6
Mounting heightTop of the extinguisher no higher than 5 ft above the floor if it weighs 40 lb or less, 3.5 ft if heavier; bottom at least 4 in. above the floorNFPA 10, 6.1.3.8 (referenced by IFC 906.2)
InspectionMonthly visual check, annual maintenance by a qualified person, with a tag recording itIFC 901.6, NFPA 10 Ch. 7

Worth knowing

  • One-and-two-family dwellings (Group R-3) are not on the IFC 906.1 list, and the IRC has no extinguisher requirement. Landlords and local fire departments often require them anyway, so check before assuming a rental or a home business is exempt.
  • A common multipurpose 2-A:10-B:C extinguisher satisfies most light and ordinary hazard rooms, but kitchens with commercial cooking appliances using vegetable or animal oils need the type NFPA 10 specifies for that hazard (a wet-chemical Class K unit), not an all-purpose dry chemical.
  • The 75 ft figure is a travel distance, not a straight line. Walls, equipment and one-way aisles lengthen the path you must measure.
  • Local amendments are common: many fire districts set their own spacing, signage or cabinet rules. The fire code official can also require extinguishers where the hazard calls for them even if no table does.
  • This page is about portable extinguishers. Sprinkler and standpipe requirements are separate parts of IFC Chapter 9.

Common questions

What does the code say about where extinguishers are required for Fire Extinguisher Placement?

New and existing Groups A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4 and S; within 30 ft of commercial cooking equipment; where flammable or combustible liquids are stored, used or dispensed; on every floor of a building under construction (except Group R-3); and in special-hazard areas such as labs, computer rooms and generator rooms where the fire code official requires them. (IFC 906.1)

What does the code say about equipment standard for Fire Extinguisher Placement?

Extinguishers must be listed and labeled and selected, installed and maintained to NFPA 10. (IFC 906.2)

What does the code say about class A (ordinary combustibles) sizing for Fire Extinguisher Placement?

Minimum 2-A rating for light and ordinary hazards, 4-A for extra hazard; each unit of A rating covers up to 3,000 sq ft (light), 1,500 sq ft (ordinary) or 1,000 sq ft (extra), with a cap of 11,250 sq ft per extinguisher. (IFC 906.3, Table 906.3(1))

Adopted edition by state

Base-code year from BuildSpec’s adoption records. States often amend the base code, and your city or county may differ, so confirm with your building department. Fire codes are usually adopted by the state fire marshal or the local fire district; BuildSpec holds an IFC edition on record for only the states listed here.

This guide is BuildSpec’s own summary, not code text. It cites the International Fire Code (IFC) as a model standard, and NFPA 10 where a rule is cited to it; BuildSpec publishes no NFPA text, which is at nfpa.org. The IFC itself is available from the ICC. Neither is an adoption record: your state may be on a different edition with amendments — check your jurisdiction page or get an Address Report.
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