Why Do We Use Fire Extinguishers?
Fire extinguishers are products designed to help control and prevent fires in your home or office. Fire extinguishers come in different types, sizes, and shapes; however, they all serve the same purpose: to protect you from fire damage or injury.
Moreover, a wide range of factors influences when you should use a fire extinguisher, such as its size, fueling, and how much time is available to you.
However, in general, when there are flames present in your home or business that are small in size (less than 3 feet high). Then this indicates that you should use a small fire extinguisher.
What Are the Laws for Fire Extinguisher Signs?
While fire extinguishers are a vital fire safety tool, they can do more harm than good if not handled correctly. In the US alone, fire extinguishers cause over 800 injuries and 50 deaths every year.
In addition, improperly used fire extinguishers can also damage property. By following fire signage laws for your fire extinguisher, you help protect yourself against these harmful effects.
Fire signage laws vary from state to state; however, most states require fire signage information on fire extinguishers placed in business establishments.
This helps prevent fires by increasing awareness of fire safety practices among those who misuse fire extinguishers and those who don’t know where their nearest fire extinguisher is. The type of sign you require will depend on where your fire extinguisher is.
What’s the Best place for a Fire Extinguisher Sign?
Fire extinguisher signage is present in areas where fire extinguishers are present. These locations usually contain fire hazards and fire risks, including:
- Your fire extinguisher should also include fire safety messaging (such as the fire escape plan and other important fire information).
- Placing your fire signage next to fire exit signs will allow you to direct those fleeing a burning building towards their nearest fire exits.
- Fire sign placement near stairwells allows those evacuating a building during an emergency to find their way quickly and efficiently to fire escapes.
- Any fire signage placed on the fire extinguisher itself should be at least 20 inches from the handle and no more than 4 inches from the handle.
Also Read: Where to put fire extinguisher
What Do Fire Signs Look Like?
The fire signage requirements for your fire extinguisher depend on your business type, location, and state laws. In general, fire signage must include:
- A statement that advises users of any potential hazards they may face if they use the fire extinguisher improperly
- A warning about not using a fire extinguisher without first learning how to use it correctly * The fire extinguisher’s fire rating (such as “A-B”)
- A description of what fire types you can use the fire extinguisher on.
What Is the fire extinguisher signage height?
Sign height for fire extinguisher should be large enough to fulfil your fire safety requirements. This means that the sign must contain all necessary information for users of fire extinguishers.
Moreover, it needs to be visible to fire safety workers and building occupants. It cannot interfere with the fire extinguisher or obstruct any valves or other parts on its surface.
Depending on your fire extinguisher, you may need wall-mounted drop fire signs or freestanding post-mounted fire signs.
These types of fire safety signs will vary in size depending upon their location. Other factors that can affect these sizes are the type of fire damage used against them and the local laws governing any given area.
What Should Be the Quantity for the Fire Extinguisher Sign?
The quantity of fire extinguishers required in an area depends on the size of said area. Therefore, you should measure your amount based upon how much floor space is available and the likelihood of a fire breaking out.
For example, suppose your business has 200 square feet of floor space and two exits. In that case, you’ll need at least one extinguisher with a 20-foot reach for protecting this area against any potential fires or emergencies.
Further, you may also need to consider installing additional extinguishers in areas such as stairwells, restrooms, and kitchens if they’re present near exit doors.
What Is the Best Design for a Fire Extinguisher Sign?
Fire extinguisher fire signage should easily catch the eye of any person. They should provide all necessary information so that people unfamiliar with your particular fire extinguishers can still use them correctly and safely.
This fire extinguisher signage requirements provides all relevant information about the type of fire safety equipment:
- The proper way to hold the handle
- How to aim the nozzle
- The types of fires you can use the unit on
The goal with fire extinguisher signs is to provide people with all the information needed to use your fire safety equipment effectively.
Do Fire Extinguishers Require a Sign?
A fire extinguisher does not require an additional sign due to the following reasons:
- Fire extinguishers are self-contained units, so they do not require any other equipment to function.
- The information on the sign is moulded into its surface itself, making it unnecessary to put stickers or signs onto them to convey that same information.
Although many local fire codes recommend placing either wall-mounted or freestanding post-mounted signs near your fire extinguisher, it’s not in the law.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, a fire extinguisher does not require a separate sign. However, specific building sizes and local laws may require you to place additional signage around your fire safety equipment. Other than that, the information on your fire extinguisher is self-explanatory and is printed directly onto its surface.
