National Fire Protection Association
NFPA 10
NFPA 10 covers the portable fire extinguisher — which type and rating goes where, how far someone should have to travel to reach one, and how it is mounted and kept serviceable. The monthly visual is an in-house check anyone can document; the annual service and internal work belong to the licensed extinguisher company.
Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
What it covers
- Extinguisher type and rating matched to the hazard in each area
- Placement and maximum travel distance to reach a unit
- Mounting height and secure bracket or cabinet installation
- Monthly visual inspection — pressure, seal, access and signage
- Annual service, hydrostatic test and recharge by the licensed company
What the evidence looks like
- Photograph each unit in place with its rating tag legible, so type-to-hazard can be judged against the room it serves.
- Travel distance walked and documented from the far corner, not assumed from a floor plan.
- Mounting height and bracket captured, and any unit left on the floor flagged as a finding.
- Monthly visual recorded with the gauge in the green and the pull-pin seal intact shown in frame.
- Annual service tag photographed for its date; an expired or missing tag is documented for the licensed company to clear.
Checklists that verify work against NFPA 10
2 free checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Portable fire extinguisher QuarterlyPortable fire extinguisher quarterly maintenance checklistExtinguisher present, unobstructed, charged and sealed, recorded on the quarterly round6 items8 photosPortable fire extinguisher AnnualPortable fire extinguisher annual maintenance checklistFull annual maintenance done by the licensed service company, observed and recorded on site4 items6 photos
Common questions
- What is NFPA 10?
- Portable fire extinguishers: type and rating, placement and travel distance, mounting and service. It is published by the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 10 covers the portable fire extinguisher — which type and rating goes where, how far someone should have to travel to reach one, and how it is mounted and kept serviceable. The monthly visual is an in-house check anyone can document; the annual service and internal work belong to the licensed extinguisher company.
- What does NFPA 10 cover?
- Extinguisher type and rating matched to the hazard in each area; Placement and maximum travel distance to reach a unit; Mounting height and secure bracket or cabinet installation; Monthly visual inspection — pressure, seal, access and signage; Annual service, hydrostatic test and recharge by the licensed company.
- What does a field inspection against NFPA 10 look at?
- Photograph each unit in place with its rating tag legible, so type-to-hazard can be judged against the room it serves. Travel distance walked and documented from the far corner, not assumed from a floor plan. Mounting height and bracket captured, and any unit left on the floor flagged as a finding. Monthly visual recorded with the gauge in the green and the pull-pin seal intact shown in frame. Annual service tag photographed for its date; an expired or missing tag is documented for the licensed company to clear.
- Which edition of NFPA 10 applies to my project?
- Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Which checklists verify work against NFPA 10?
- 2 free checklists in the RTI library reference this family. Each is listed on this page with the photo evidence every item needs before it can be submitted.
A standard is only met if the evidence exists
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.