The portable fire extinguisher industry is regulated by NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers ¹, which is adopted by states for the selection, installation, and servicing of extinguishers. Brooks serves on the technical committee and has been participating in the most recent revision over the past two years. Although there are no major changes, there are many clarifications and changes of interest that will have an impact on your operations in the coming years. Here is the information on the changes that we think are most important to you in the 2022 edition of NFPA 10.

Search Option

You can purchase a paperback version of NFPA 10 from Brooks or directly from NFPA. But if you want to do more than just read the standard, you will need to pay a fee to access the National Fire Code Subscription Service(NFCSS)². With the NFCSS, you will have online access to all NFPA codes and standards, including NFPA 10. This will allow you to not only view NFPA 10, but you will be able to search for key words and use the copy-and-paste function to share excerpts with colleagues and the AHJ.

Although NFPA offers Free Access to NFPA Codes and Standards³, you can only read the standard. There are no other options beyond reading with the “Free-Access” option. NFPA previously issued pdf versions of their documents, but they no longer offer that format for their most recent editions. That means there is no pdf version of NFPA 10, 2022.

Definitions

There are no substantive changes made to the definitions in Chapter 3 of NFPA 10, 2022. The definition of Hydrostatic Testing was updated to include “certain hose assemblies”, which correlates with hose testing requirements in Hydrostatic Testing Chapter 8. A new definition was added for Pump Tank Fire Extinguisher. The last two explanatory sentences of the definition of Halogenated Closed Recovery System were moved to the annex. The definition of Class B Fires in Chapter 4 was updated to move the examples to
the annex.

Older Class K and Water Mist Extinguishers

The exception that water-based extinguishers, manufactured prior to 2002, need not adhere to electrical conductivity criteria was deleted (4.1.4.3). Therefore, Water Mist and Class K extinguishers, manufactured prior to August 15, 2002, must be reviewed for compliance. Any Class K extinguisher, which is labeled for Class C, will not be in compliance, since wet chemical is conductive. Also, any Class C-rated Water Mist extinguisher, with a label that does not reference a nonconductive extinguishing agent, is also not in compliance. Replacement will be necessary, unless the extinguisher manufacturer can provide a labeling solution to their extinguishers in conflict with this new criterion.

Selection of Extinguishers

The requirements of Chapter 5 were rearranged, editorially updated, and renumbered. Although the requirements look quite different when comparing 2018 and 2022 editions, there are no substantive changes to the minimum requirements. The resulting revision of Chapter 5 is much clearer and is a marked improvement over previous editions.

Extinguisher Signage

New requirements for extinguisher signage were added to Chapter 6 for multiple extinguishers that are co-located to protect multiple hazards. A sign or placard will be required for each extinguisher in the grouping, including those installed in cabinets.

Signs will be required for extinguishers installed in cabinets, where the extinguisher is not visible. So, if you cannot see the extinguisher, the cabinet needs to be provided with an extinguisher sign.

Any extinguisher sign installed to indicate location will need to be installed in close proximity to the extinguisher. Those signs (or additional signs) also must be visible from the normal path of travel.

Strap-Type Brackets for Extinguishers

The requirement for strap-type brackets (6.1.3.6, 2018) was broken into two separate requirements. One paragraph mandates strap-type brackets for extinguishers in or on vehicles, and the other paragraph mandates them for any extinguisher that is subject to dislodgement. Therefore, any extinguisher that could be bumped and dislodged cannot be installed on a hanger and must be installed in a strap-type bracket. This obviously would not apply to an extinguisher installed in an extinguisher cabinet.

Cabinets with Breakfront Panels

A clarification was added that breakfront panel cabinets need a breaker bar or hammer as a means of access to the extinguisher (Chapter 6). Missing breaker bars/hammers and broken, damaged, or missing breakfront panels on fire extinguisher cabinets will be required to be replaced (Chapter 7).

Replacement of Extinguishers Removed for Servicing

There is a new requirement that says to notify the owner or owner’s agent when an extinguisher is replaced during a service call. Here is the annex explanation for the requirement:

“The replacement extinguisher should be suitable for the type of hazard being protected and be of at least equal rating. The owner or owner’s agent should be provided with documentation regarding the type, make, and model of both the extinguisher being removed and the replacement extinguisher. The installer should verify that the hanger, bracket, or extinguisher cabinet is the proper one for the replacement extinguisher.

“Removal or replacement of fire extinguishers during service should be done with the owner’s knowledge and permission. This ensures that any replaced equipment meets with the owner’s expectations and has been documented to address the applicable fire extinguisher record-keeping requirements.”

Inspection and Maintenance

A clarification was added to Chapter 7 that inspection checks and external examination are conducted at the time of annual maintenance. Although both are required to be performed during annual maintenance, only one tag is needed. The service will only be required to be recorded on the annual maintenance tag.

Foam Extinguishers

The replacement of AFFF will only be required at the time of the 5-year hydrostatic test (rather than every 3 years, as previously required). The 3-year replacement was always confusing and is now deemed unnecessary.

Using the Updated NFPA 10, 2022

You should always consider using the provisions of the latest edition of NFPA 10, even before it is adopted by your jurisdiction. You will not be in violation of any law or regulation. That is because the currently adopted edition of NFPA 10 contains minimums, and using the most recent edition, most often, exceeds those minimums.

Conclusion

The new 2022 NFPA 10 contains the most up-to-date thinking, clarifications of concepts, and some new provisions that improve safety. It should be weighed against the currently adopted edition that might be outdated, less safe, or not as clear. With an understanding of the recent updates to NFPA 10, you can now confidently work with your customers and the AHJ to achieve the highest level of safety for extinguishers installed in your community.