Applicable Regulations

There is no official standard in the United States for the color of fire extinguishers, though they are typically red, except for class D extinguishers which are usually yellow, water and Class K wet chemical extinguishers which are usually silver, and water-mist extinguishers which are usually white. Extinguishers are marked with pictograms depicting the types of fires that the extinguisher is approved to fight. In the past, extinguishers were marked with colored geometric symbols, and some extinguishers still use both symbols.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157 discusses regulations for when the employer provides fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace and states the employer must also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire-fighting.

In Subpart L of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.155, education is defined as the process of imparting knowledge or skill through systematic instruction. It does not require formal classroom instruction. OSHA does not require employers across all industries to provide employees with hands-on training in the use of portable fire extinguishers.

Employers should provide hands-on training when they specifically designate employees to use fire-fighting equipment, such as a portable fire extinguisher. OSHA 1910.252 addresses this need for hands-on training within specific industries, such as those involving hot work like welding, cutting, and brazing where there is a requirement for a trained fire-watch to be stationed nearby. In these instances, an employer must provide employees who are designated to use fire-fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan with training in the use of the appropriate equipment.

OSHA defines training as instruction through hands-on practice in the operation of equipment, making it necessary in addition to general instruction. Hands-on practice is required for all employees who have been designated to use portable fire extinguishers.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 discusses emergency action plans and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.39 discusses fire prevention plans. Both will be addressed in more detail later in this course.

National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Life Safety Code

Companies that comply with the exit route provisions of NFPA 101-2000, also known as the Life Safety Code, are also in compliance with the requirements described in OSHA CFR 29 1910.34, 1910.36, and 1910.37. The Life Safety Code addresses the following topics:

• Coverage and definitions
• Design and construction requirements for exit routes
• Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes

To learn more about Fire Extinguishers visit our Portable Fire Extinguishers Online Training web page.