How far apart should fire extinguishers be placed in an industrial building?

In industrial buildings, fire extinguishers must be readily accessible to employees without exposing them to potential injury LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="5" cited_text_snippet\="The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.".

Here are key requirements for spacing and placement:

• Travel Distance: For Class A fires, extinguishers should be placed so that the travel distance for employees is 75 feet or less LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="5" cited_text_snippet\="The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class A fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 75 feet (22\.9 m) or less.". For Class B fires, the travel distance from the hazard area to an extinguisher should be 50 feet or less LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="5" cited_text_snippet\="The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class B fires so that the travel distance from the Class B hazard area to any extinguisher is 50 feet (15\.2 m) or less.". For Class D fires, the travel distance from a combustible metal working area to any extinguishing agent should be 75 feet or less LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="5" cited_text_snippet\="The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers or other containers of Class D extinguishing agent for use by employees so that the travel distance from the combustible metal working area to any extinguishing agent is 75 feet (22\.9 m) or less.".
• Floor Area Coverage: In construction, one fire extinguisher with a rating of not less than 2A should be provided for each 3,000 square feet of floor area. If the floor area is less than 3,000 square feet, at least one extinguisher must be provided LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="6" cited_text_snippet\="A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of the floor area, or fraction thereof. Where the floor area is less than 3,000 square feet at least one extinguisher shall be provided.".
• Flammable Liquids: A fire extinguisher with a rating of not less than 10B should be located within 50 feet of where more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the job site LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="3" cited_text_snippet\="A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, shall be provided within 50 feet of wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the jobsite.". For flammable liquid storage areas, at least one portable fire extinguisher with a rating of not less than 12-B units must be located outside, but not more than 10 feet from, the door opening into any room used for storage LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="2" cited_text_snippet\="At least one portable fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 12-B units shall be located outside of, but not more than 10 feet from, the door opening into any room used for storage.". Additionally, at least one extinguisher with a rating of not less than 12-B units must be located not less than 10 feet, nor more than 25 feet, from any Category 1, 2, or 3 flammable liquid storage area located outside of a storage room but inside a building LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="2" cited_text_snippet\="At least one portable fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 12-B units must be located not less than 10 feet, nor more than 25 feet, from any Category 1, 2, or 3 flammable liquid storage area located outside of a storage room but inside a building.".
• Class K Extinguishers: A Class K extinguisher should be maintained within 30 feet of hazards involving combustible vegetable or animal oils and fats LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="5" cited_text_snippet\="A class \\"K\\" extinguisher shall be maintained within 30 feet, 9\.15 meters from the hazards.".
• Height: For extinguishers weighing not more than 40 pounds, the top should be no more than 5 feet above the floor. For extinguishers weighing more than 40 pounds (excluding wheeled types), the top should be no more than 3 1/2 feet above the floor. All extinguishers (excluding wheeled types) should have their bottom at least 4 inches from the floor LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="5" cited_text_snippet\="An extinguisher having a gross weight of not more than 40 pounds shall be installed so that the top is not more than 5 feet above the floor. An extinguisher having a gross weight of more than 40 pounds, except a wheeled type or cart mounted extinguisher, shall be installed so that the top is not more than 3 1/2 feet above the floor. An extinguisher, except a wheeled type or cart mounted extinguisher, shall be installed so that the bottom is not less than 4 inches from the floor.".
• Location Indication: In locations where visual obstructions are unavoidable, signs or color symbols should be used to indicate the extinguisher's location LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="5" cited_text_snippet\="In a location where a visual obstruction cannot be avoided, a sign, color symbol, or other means shall be used to indicate the extinguisher's location.". If the extinguisher is mounted in a cabinet or on a shelf, a means should be used to indicate its location, and the operating instructions should face outward LLMCitation: source_document_reference_number\="5" cited_text_snippet\="A means shall be used to indicate the location of an extinguisher mounted in a cabinet or on a shelf. The extinguisher shall be placed so that the operating instructions face outward.".

*Extinguishers and water containers subject to freezing shall be protected from freezing.