PDFWAC 296-800-30010

Select and distribute portable fire extinguishers in your workplace.

Exemption:
• This does not apply to the portable fire extinguishers provided for employees to use outside of workplace buildings or structures.
• You are exempt from the distribution requirements of this rule if you have an emergency action plan (that meets requirements of WAC 296-24-567):
– Which designates certain employees to be the only employees authorized to use the available portable fire extinguishers; and
– Requires all other employees in the fire area to immediately evacuate the affected work area upon the sounding of the fire alarm.
You must provide the correct type of portable fire extinguishers and distribute them in your workplace, depending on the type, size, and severity of fire that could occur.
The type of portable fire extinguishers you must have in your workplace depends on the types of fire hazards that exist in your workplace.
Fire Extinguisher Distance Table
Type of fire hazard extinguisher
Maximum distance from the fire hazard to a fire extinguisher
Type of fire hazard Wood, cloth, paper, rubber (Class A fire hazards)
No more than 75 feet (22.9 m) Note: You may use uniformly spaced standpipe systems or hose stations instead of Class A portable fire extinguishers, if they meet the requirements of WAC 296-24-602 or 296-24-607.
Liquids, grease, gases (Class B fire hazards)
No more than 50 feet (15.2 m) Note: You may choose to use a smaller fire extinguisher in lieu of that required for the 50 foot distance. If you choose to have the smaller fire extinguisher, the travel distance must not be greater than 30 feet. See UFC Standard 10 Chapter 3 for the basic minimum extinguisher rating allowed.
Live electrical equipment and circuits (Class C fire hazards)
Distribute any Class C portable fire extinguishers the same pattern that you have for any Class A or Class B fire hazards. Note: If the electrical equipment is deenergized, you may use a Class A or Class B portable fire extinguisher.
Powder, flakes, and residue from combustible metals, like magnesium and titanium, that build up over a 2-week period (Class D fire hazards)
No more than 75 feet (22.9 m)
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 18-22-116, § 296-800-30010, filed 11/6/18, effective 12/7/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and [49.17].050. WSR 01-23-060, § 296-800-30010, filed 11/20/01, effective 12/1/01; WSR 01-11-038, § 296-800-30010, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]