Fire extinguishers should be visually inspected monthly by the employer (or an employee assigned to complete this task) to confirm:

• Adequate pressure (gauge in the green zone).
• The pin is in place.
• Extinguisher is stored off the floor in a marked location.

Initial and date the monthly inspection of each extinguisher on an attached tag – OR-OSHA will check for records of monthly inspections during enforcement visits. 

Fire extinguishers should be serviced yearly (or more often as needed) to keep them usable and fully charged. The individual servicing should be qualified to do hydrostatic testing. 

Employers must ensure that fire extinguishers are fully charged, operable, and in their designated place at all times and must provide equivalent protection when extinguishers are removed for maintenance or recharging. 

Qualified and trained persons with suitable testing equipment and facilities should conduct hydrostatic testing, and remove extinguishers that fail this testing.

Original labels must remain on extinguishers and be attached and legible. 

If an extinguisher has been used, never return it to its original location until it has been refilled and pressurized, or replaced with a new extinguisher.

You must have appropriate fire extinguishers in work areas:

Class A: For ordinary combustible materials

Class B: For flammable liquid, gas, or grease fires

Class C: For energized-electrical-equipment fires

Mount fire extinguishers on hangers, rackets, in cabinets, or on shelves. The maximum height of the top of the extinguisher above the floor is:

Do not obstruct fire extinguishers. They must be in plain sight or clearly mark their location. Paths to and space in front of fire extinguishers must be clear and free from obstruction.

Employers must provide training to new employees, and at least annually for employees whose employers either REQUIRE or ALLOW the use of fire extinguishers. If employees are allowed to access and use fire extinguishers, training is required. 

A training program must familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use, fire hazards, and the use of appropriate equipment.

Post signs reading “No Smoking or Open Flame” in all areas:

• For fueling
• For servicing fuel systems
• For receiving or dispensing flammable liquids
• For use or storage of flammable liquids
• Where there may be flammable or explosive gases, vapors, mists, dust, or fibers

Note: Signs reading “Flammable – Keep Fire Away” are also in compliance with the rule. 

If your workplace has 11 or more year-round employees, you must have a written fire-prevention plan. If you have 10 or fewer year-round employees, you may have a verbal plan. 

If you are required to have a written plan, the plan must be kept in the workplace and available to employees. 

The fire prevention plan must include at least these parts:

• Procedures to control accumulations of flammable or combustible waste materials.
• Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat producing equipment to prevent accidental ignition of combustible materials.
• Locations of fire extinguishers and maintenance schedule. 
• Types of fire protection equipment and systems available. 
• Procedures for reporting possible fire producing situations and actual fires. 
• How often your fire alarm system is tested (if applicable; if your workplace has an alarm system, testing is required annually).

The employer must:

• Inform employees of the fire hazards in their work areas.
• Review the fire protection plan with each new employee.
• Train employees how to use fire extinguishers if they are required and/or allowed to use extinguishers. 

See fire protection plan templates in Additional Resources below.