Fire Extinguisher Questions

What are Utah's requirements for fire extinguishers in commercial buildings?

Utah adopts NFPA 10 (2018 edition) through Admin Code R710-1. Every commercial building must have fire extinguishers of the appropriate type and rating, placed so that no point in the building is more than 75 feet travel distance from an extinguisher. Commercial kitchens also require a Class K extinguisher within 30 feet of cooking equipment.

All extinguishers must receive a professional annual inspection by a Utah-certified technician, a 6-year internal examination, and a 12-year hydrostatic test. Only companies and individuals licensed by the State Fire Marshal may perform this work.

Source: Utah Fire Marshal Fire Extinguishers

How often do fire extinguishers need to be inspected in Utah?

Four inspection intervals, each required by NFPA 10:

• Monthly: Visual check by the building owner or a designated employee. Verify the extinguisher is in its spot, accessible, tamper seal intact, pressure gauge in the green. No license required.
• Annually: Professional inspection by a Utah-certified technician. Internal components checked, pull pin freed, seals replaced, new service tag applied.
• Every 6 years: Internal examination. Stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers are emptied, internally examined, and maintained. Licensed concern only.
• Every 12 years: Hydrostatic test. Pressure test of the cylinder to verify structural integrity. Licensed concern only.

Source: R710-1 Fire Extinguishers (PDF), NFPA 10 Sections 7.2-7.4, 8.3

What is the difference between annual inspection, 6-year maintenance, and 12-year hydrostatic test?

The annual inspection is a thorough external and internal check: the technician verifies all components, replaces the tamper seal, and applies a new annual service tag. This is the baseline professional inspection.

The 6-year maintenance goes deeper. Stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers must be emptied, the valve assembly removed, the interior examined for corrosion or damage, and the extinguisher recharged and reassembled. This catches internal problems that an annual inspection cannot.

The 12-year hydrostatic test pressure-tests the cylinder itself. The extinguisher is emptied, the cylinder is filled with water and pressurized to a specific test pressure to verify it can safely contain the agent. Cylinders that fail hydrostatic testing must be condemned and removed from service. Non-rechargeable extinguishers must be removed from service 12 years from the manufacture date.

How many fire extinguishers does my business need under Utah fire code?

The number depends on your building size, hazard level, and extinguisher rating. Under IFC Section 906.3 (adopted by Utah):

• Light hazard (offices, churches): one 2-A rated extinguisher per 3,000 sq ft, max 75 feet travel distance
• Ordinary hazard (restaurants, retail): one 2-A rated extinguisher per 1,500 sq ft, max 75 feet travel distance
• Extra hazard (woodworking, auto repair): one 4-A rated extinguisher per 1,000 sq ft, max 75 feet travel distance

A 6,000 square foot ordinary-hazard restaurant needs at minimum 4 extinguishers, plus at least one Class K within 30 feet of cooking equipment. We can assess your building and tell you exactly what you need.

What class of fire extinguisher is required for a commercial kitchen in Utah?

Commercial kitchens with deep-fat fryers, griddles, or any equipment that produces grease-laden vapors must have a Class K fire extinguisher within 30 feet of cooking equipment. Class K extinguishers contain a potassium acetate-based wet chemical agent designed specifically for cooking oil fires.

Class K is a supplement to, not a replacement for, the automatic hood fire suppression system. Both are required. You also need standard ABC extinguishers for general fire hazards (electrical, ordinary combustibles) in other areas of the building.

Source: NFPA: What is a Class K Fire Extinguisher

Can a business owner do their own monthly fire extinguisher checks in Utah?

Yes, for the monthly visual inspection only. NFPA 10 Section 7.2 allows the building owner or a designated employee to perform the monthly check. No license is needed. You verify the extinguisher is in its spot, not blocked, tamper seal intact, pressure gauge in the green range, and no visible damage.

What you cannot do: annual inspections, 6-year maintenance, 12-year hydrostatic tests, recharging, or applying service tags. Under R710-1, servicing a fire extinguisher without a Certificate of Registration from the State Fire Marshal is a violation.

Best practice: document your monthly checks on a tag or log attached to each extinguisher with the date and your initials.

Source: Utah Consumer Guide to Fire Extinguishers (PDF)

What does the tag on my fire extinguisher mean?

The tag shows who inspected the extinguisher, when, and what was done. A current tag means the extinguisher was professionally inspected within the last 12 months by a Utah-certified technician. The tag includes the technician's name, the company's concern license number, the date of service, and the type of service performed.

If your tag is missing, expired, or from an unlicensed company, the extinguisher is not in compliance. The fire marshal will cite missing or expired tags during an inspection.

How do I dispose of old fire extinguishers in Salt Lake City?

Do not put fire extinguishers in regular trash or recycling. The pressurized cylinder is a hazard. Contact your local fire department or a licensed fire extinguisher company. We can pick up expired or condemned extinguishers during a service call and handle proper disposal.

Salt Lake City residents can also drop off small household extinguishers at the Salt Lake Valley Landfill hazardous waste facility. Commercial quantities should be handled by a licensed concern.

What is the difference between ABC, BC, and K-class fire extinguishers?

ABC (multi-purpose dry chemical): Handles ordinary combustibles (A), flammable liquids (B), and electrical fires (C). The standard general-purpose extinguisher for offices, hallways, and non-kitchen areas.

BC (regular dry chemical): Handles flammable liquids and electrical fires only. Not effective on ordinary combustible fires (paper, wood, fabric). Less common in commercial settings.

Class K (wet chemical): Specifically designed for cooking oil and grease fires in commercial kitchens. The agent reacts with burning oil through saponification, creating a foam blanket that smothers the fire and cools the oil. Required within 30 feet of commercial cooking equipment.

Does Utah require fire extinguisher training for restaurant employees?

The IFC (adopted by Utah) requires that employees responsible for using fire extinguishers receive training. IFC Section 406.2 states that training must cover the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient fire fighting. This applies to employees designated as part of the emergency action plan.

While not every employee needs to be trained, having staff who know how to use the extinguisher closest to their work area is both a code expectation and a safety best practice. We offer hands-on extinguisher training during service visits.