Which NFPA standard outlines the ratings and placement of portable extinguishers?

Which NFPA standard outlines the ratings and placement of portable extinguishers?

• A. NFPA 70
• B. NFPA 1
• C. NFPA 13
• D. NFPA 10

Answer: (D)

NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, is the standard that defines how extinguishers are rated and how they should be placed for effective use. The ratings shown on extinguishers indicate the kinds of fires they are designed to fight (such as ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, or energized electrical equipment) and roughly how effective they are. NFPA 10 also provides placement guidelines to ensure extinguishers are readily accessible, not blocked, and located so that the travel distance to reach one is within the limits for the hazard present. This combination helps ensure an extinguisher found in a space will be appropriate for the hazards and quickly reachable in an emergency. Other NFPA standards address different topics—NFPA 70 covers electrical installations, NFPA 1 is a general Fire Code, and NFPA 13 deals with sprinkler systems—so they don’t specifically govern portable extinguisher ratings and placement like NFPA 10 does.

NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, is the standard that defines how extinguishers are rated and how they should be placed for effective use. The ratings shown on extinguishers indicate the kinds of fires they are designed to fight (such as ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, or energized electrical equipment) and roughly how effective they are. NFPA 10 also provides placement guidelines to ensure extinguishers are readily accessible, not blocked, and located so that the travel distance to reach one is within the limits for the hazard present. This combination helps ensure an extinguisher found in a space will be appropriate for the hazards and quickly reachable in an emergency. Other NFPA standards address different topics—NFPA 70 covers electrical installations, NFPA 1 is a general Fire Code, and NFPA 13 deals with sprinkler systems—so they don’t specifically govern portable extinguisher ratings and placement like NFPA 10 does.