In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about portable fire extinguishers.
Q: Are fire extinguishers required to be placed in mechanical rooms in our hospital? I’ve searched NFPA 10 and the Life Safety Code (LSC) and haven’t found anything concrete. The mechanical rooms in our facility are strictly boiler rooms, electrical control panel rooms and so on. They are considered restricted areas and are always kept locked, with access granted to just the facilities staff and the security staff.
A: Yes, according to sections 19.3.5.6 and 9.7.4.1 of the 2000 LSC, you must be in full compliance with NFPA 10 (1998 edition) for maximum travel distance to the location of a portable fire extinguisher in all areas of your facility. Each classification of extinguishers has its own requirements.
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