1910.156(d): Fire Brigade Equipment Inspections
Employers must maintain fire fighting equipment and inspect it at least annually to make sure it works safely. Portable fire extinguishers and respirators must be inspected at least monthly, and damaged or unserviceable equipment must be removed from service and replaced.
Key takeaways
- 1910.156(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 57 times in the last 3 years, in 57 inspections, with $6,412 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (48), NY (4), CT (2).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.156(d) ("Fire fighting equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.156 Fire brigades, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart L). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(d) Fire fighting equipment. The employer shall maintain and inspect, at least annually, fire fighting equipment to assure the safe operational condition of the equipment. Portable fire extinguishers and respirators shall be inspected at least monthly. Fire fighting equipment that is in damaged or unserviceable condition shall be removed from service and replaced. 57 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.156.
Export the list: 57 inspections cited 1910.156(d) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: IL (48), NY (4), CT (2), VA (2), MN (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VILLAGE OF MAYWOOD - FIRE DEPARTMENT | MAYWOOD, IL | $4,000 |
| LEE HY PAVING, LLC | ROCKVILLE, VA | $780 |
| 109595 - FREEWAY TRANSFER INC | BURNSVILLE, MN | $750 |
| CITY OF NEW HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEW HAVEN, CT | $432 |
| LANARK FPD | LANARK, IL | $300 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.156(d).
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Frequently asked questions
How often must fire fighting equipment be inspected?
At least annually.
How often are portable extinguishers and respirators inspected?
At least monthly.
What happens to damaged fire fighting equipment?
It must be removed from service and replaced.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.156 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.