Portable Extinguisher Cabinets: The Importance of Replacing Missing Covers and Panels
By Mark Conroy
Portable fire extinguisher cabinets are installed for many reasons, including preventing malicious use. Where cabinets are locked, they need to be provided with a means for emergency access. That typically means providing a cabinet that has
a pull-front cover or a break-front panel with striker. As an extinguisher technician, your job is to maintain the original intent of the cabinet while assuring the extinguisher is easily accessible during an emergency. Knowing where the
requirements are located in the code is essential to convince the property owner that the installation is code compliant. Here’s what you need to know to ensure cabinets are secure and protecting their contents.
NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, allows fire extinguisher cabinets to be locked:
6.1.3.10.1 Cabinets housing fire extinguishers shall not be locked, except where fire extinguishers are subject to malicious use and cabinets include a means of emergency access.
Cabinets designed to be locked, while providing easy access to the extinguishers, come with pull-front covers or break-front panels. Cabinets should never be left without their covers or panels (that would defeat their intended purpose of
guarding against malicious use). Ensuring that their covers and panels are in place, during monthly inspections and annual maintenance, also ensures the extinguishers remain protected against misuse, accidental removal, or impacts.
Cabinets complying with this requirement include Brooks’ Mark Series, and FireTech™ molded polymer cabinets, as well as FireTech™, Classic, Economyline, and Decorline metal cabinets. All of these cabinets are designed for compliance
with NFPA 10 and can be locked but have a means of emergency access. If the cover or panel is missing, the extinguisher cannot be locked and secured and is subject to malicious use.
During an inspection or annual maintenance, these extinguisher cabinets need to be examined to ensure the covers and panels are provided and installed correctly. If the cabinet has a break-front panel, there must also be a striker
bar or striker hammer, which allows emergency access to the extinguisher. Missing strikers must be replaced to allow for emergency access.
Replacement Covers
| Clear Covers |
Red Covers |
Fit Cabinets |
| M1C6 |
M1CR6 |
M1 |
| MJC6 |
MJCR6 |
MJ |
| M2C6 |
M2CR6 |
M2 |
| M2JC6 |
M2JCR6 |
M2J |
Break-Front Panels (clear and scored)
| Break Panels |
Fits the Following Cabinets |
| SAC818 |
BE916, FT916, 818 Series |
| SAC924 |
BE926, FT926, 924 Series |
| SAC1028 |
BE936, FT936, 1028 Series |
| FT55 |
FT5PR, FT5PW |
| FT10 |
FT10PR, FT10PW |
| FT20 |
FT20PR, FT20PW |
Break-Front Strikers
| Strikers |
Style |
| BR13 |
Bar |
| BGH6 |
Hammer |
| FT100R |
Red Hammer |
| FT100W |
White Hammer |
Extinguisher cabinets need to be maintained in their original condition, with their covers or panels installed, to prevent unwanted removal or dislodgment of the extinguisher from the cabinet. Installing quality, matching replacement parts
will help prevent malicious use of extinguishers while ensuring they remain readily available in the event of a fire emergency.
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Mark Conroy is an engineer in our Boston, MA office and a member of the NFPA 10 Technical Committee. © 2017, Brooks Equipment Company, LLC.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the above Tech Series article are the author’s only and provide limited information. Although the information is believed to be reliable, Brooks Equipment Company, LLC expressly disclaims any warranty with respect to the information and any liability for errors or omissions. The user of this article or the product(s) is responsible for verifying the information’s accuracy from all available sources, including the product manufacturer. The authority having jurisdiction should be contacted for code interpretations.