Fire Extinguishers & Protection

Fire Extinguishers

• Fire extinguisher requirement may change with occupancy / hazard classification.
• A 5-pound minimum 2A-20BC rating is required. As a general rule, there should be 1 fire extinguisher for every 1,500 square feet of floor. In most occupancy, fire extinguishers should be placed so that the user should have to travel no more than 50 feet of travel to any unit. This distance may be increased to 75 feet if the building is protected by a fire sprinkler system.
• All fire extinguishers are to be mounted in a visible and accessible location that is located in the path of egress when possible.
• Fire extinguishers are to be mounted no closer than 4 inches to the finished floor and no higher than 5 feet above the finished floor to the top of the unit.
• All fire extinguishers are required to have a current inspection tag in place showing who performed the inspection and when the inspection was performed. Inspections are to be performed by a licensed company whose tag clearly indicates their State FL number.

Kitchen Fire Extinguishing Systems
Any extinguishing system designed to provide protection for a cooking area is reviewed by the Building Inspection Department. Systems shall be designed in accordance with the appropriate National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standard, the 2003 International Building, Fire Codes and any applicable ordinances.

System inspections and tests should be scheduled through the Fire Marshal’s Office. Please allow 48 hours notice before testing. Upon completion of the system, the Fire Marshal’s Office is to be provided with a signed, legible copy of the installation / inspection certificate.

Exhaust Ducts
Exhaust ducts are to be protected by a 2-hour fire rated enclosure. Fire-rated wraps are not allowed as a stand-alone means of protection.

• Exhaust ducts with angles greater than 70 degrees are required to have a clean-out access door.
• All exhaust ducts are required to be seamless (crimped edges, screws, spot welding, etc. are not permitted).

Kitchen Hoods
Kitchen hood fire extinguishing systems must meet the current state guidelines for fire protection (currently UL300) during any of the following:

• Any change of a cooking appliance (unless replacement is an exact duplication)
• Any modification to an existing fire extinguishing system
• Following any incident on the property where a fire occurred
• New construction
• Remodel construction that involves the kitchen area

Acceptance Test
An acceptance test is required upon completion and before a final Certificate of Occupancy is issued. The system will be tested for, but not limited to:

• A blow-down test of the extinguisher agent nozzles
• All power appliances (gas, electrical, etc.) is to automatically shut down during system activation
• Automatic activation of system upon separation of fusible links
• Proper ventilation and damper control

Protection Equipment

• All fire protection systems shall meet the applicable National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standard referenced in the International Codes.
• A permit is required prior to the construction / installation of any and all fire protection equipment.
• Plans are to be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office for approval prior to the issue of any permit for fire protection equipment.
• A copy of both the designer and installer’s license shall be on file in the Fire Marshal’s Office prior to the issue of an installation permit.
• An acceptance test is required on all fire protection equipment prior to the issue of a Certificate of Occupancy for the building.
• All fire protection equipment shall have a current inspector’s tag at all times.