Where to Place Fire Extinguishers for Maximum Safety

Having fire extinguishers properly positioned in the house or workplace is a crucial factor to consider in managing the safety from fires. But where do these emergency items belong so that they can easily be accessed whenever there is need? This article focuses on the most effective areas that the fire extinguishers should be placed in order to ensure that a house is well protected from fire.

Kitchen

Fire extinguisher is an important accessory that should be placed in the kitchen most of the time due to the presence of flames in the process of cooking. That is the area where the possibility of any cooking fire is most likely to occur. As per NFPA, cooking equipment is cited as the chief reason behind home structure fires as well as home fire injuries.

It is preferable to position the fire extinguisher next to the door of the kitchen, so that it will be seen and recovered throughout the time in case there is a fire that don’t let you escape. But do not forget to install smaller extinguishers below the sink and at the area where you cook food such as at the stove and oven since this is where fires are most likely to occur. Select those with Class K labeling because they are designed for use in fires involving cooking oils and fats.

Garage

The garage is another area in the house that is prone to fires and therefore should be kept clean. Some of the goods that are found in a garage include electrical equipment, gasoline, oil, chemicals, paints, and solvents which are highly flammable. Place an ABC dry chemical extinguisher in a conspicuous place near the exit so that in the event of a vehicle, chemical or electrical fire you just have to pick the extinguisher on your way out. They are specifically for use on multi-purpose types of fires and are also known as the ABC type extinguishers.

Workshop

When choosing a fire extinguisher that one needs at home in the workshop or hobby room, ensure that you include ABC dry chemical extinguisher since it is most appropriate for the type of fires likely to occur in that room due to the equipment, materials, and tools found in the room. Install them on the walls and post in various angles in the room such that they can easily be accessed from any part of the room.

Furnace Room

A dry chemical ABC extinguisher located near the furnace room exit of your home will help you safely a) extinguish electrical or oil fires which start from the furnace. Lastly, make sure the extinguisher bracket is installed at a safe distance from the heat source and the flames and the bracket should also be at a height that makes it easy to access.

Laundry Room 

Washing area fires begin frequently in clothes dryers where lint builds up. According to the NFPA, it is advisable to have fire extinguishers placed in laundry rooms so that you can help prevent the growth of fire. Select a right type of fire extinguisher for Class A fire which occurs in cloth, wood, and paper. Ensure that you mount the extinguisher on the wall across your dryer, so it is easy to notice and grab in case of a fire outbreak on your dryer.

Electrical Service Panels

Combustibles ignite from electrical sources and issues around fuse boxes and service panels. The best recommendation where one should install a small Class C dry chemical extinguisher meant for electrical fires is near the main breaker panel of ones’ house. This makes it easily accessible for addressing electrical emergencies because it is designed to contain all the necessary components to address electrical problems. Make sure that it is out of the reach of children particularly those who are under the age of three.

Entryways and Hallways

Walls with mounted primary home entryways, hallways, and stairwell landings are perfect places to put in easily accessible ABC dry chemical extinguishers. They can be accessed from many rooms in the house since they are not restricted to one specific area. Ensure you adhere to proper mounting standards so that there won’t be any hindrances in case of an emergency.

Bedrooms

Some has opinion that they should not place extinguishers in bedrooms while some have supported the idea of placing it in bedroom. Some people have believed that they created a threat to the lives of small children. However, it is inconvenient for an adult that has a physical disability to get out of the room to open the door to the other side where the centrally located extinguisher is. These are some essential aspects to consider, for instance, it must be accessible to people with certain physical limitations. If extinguishers are to be installed in rooms like the bedroom, it is recommended that childproof locks and restraints be used.

Upper and lower building levels are usually located on different structures, which are interconnected by stairs, elevators, and escalators.

In case of fire risks in multi-storied structures, fire safety codes demand the installation of fire extinguishers to be placed on the first floor and to the second and third stories and basements and attic if any. This means that there will be an extinguisher available for use for each floor in the building, not like someone has to go upstairs and downstairs to get one during an emergency.

Vehicles

It is advisable to have the vehicle’s fire extinguisher in all the family’s cars and even those of the company. Most car fires are due to mechanical or electrical malfunction and are capable of rapidly becoming an enclosed space and possibly fatal for the occupants. Attached to vehicle floor boards one can be swiftly and efficiently used to take care of under-hood or interior fires.

Outdoor Areas

ABC dry chemical extinguishers should also be put in outdoor fixed locations such as sheds, pole barns, tents and covers. Also place them close to non-mobile equipment that may pose hazards of fire such as generators and gas pumps outside. Choose the models of extinguishers for a specific weather and temperature and that are suitable for outdoor usage.

Adherence to appropriate protocols concerning the placement of fire extinguishers enables one to act efficiently during the early stages of a home or worksite fire outbreak. Proper location to their premises affords the occupants of the building dependable, quick entrance/exit during the critical time that counts most, affording occupants the much needed time to get out of harm’s way. Understanding fire codes and even taking simple initiative towards fire safety measures can save the most valuable thing on this planet – human lives.