1910.157(d): Choosing and Placing Fire Extinguishers
Employers must select and distribute portable fire extinguishers based on the classes of expected fires and the hazards. Travel distance must be 75 feet or less for Class A, 50 feet or less for Class B, and 75 feet or less for Class D. Class C follows the Class A or B pattern. Standpipes or hose stations may replace Class A extinguishers under the conditions the rule sets.
Key takeaways
- 1910.157(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 19 inspections, with $42,718 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PR (3), NV (2), DE (1).
- Related part: 1910.157(d)(1) (7 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1910.157(d) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.157(d) ("Selection and distribution") is one requirement inside 1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart L). It includes 6 sub-paragraphs. 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) Selection and distribution. 19 citations
(1) Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided for employee use and selected and distributed based on the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard which would affect their use. Open (d)(1) 7 citations
(2) The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class A fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 m) or less. 6 citations
(3) The employer may use uniformly spaced standpipe systems or hose stations connected to a sprinkler system installed for emergency use by employees instead of Class A portable fire extinguishers, provided that such systems meet the respective requirements of § 1910.158 or § 1910.159, that they provide total coverage of the area to be protected, and that employees are trained at least annually in their use. Open (d)(3)
(4) The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class B fires so that the travel distance from the Class B hazard area to any extinguisher is 50 feet (15.2 m) or less. 5 citations
(5) The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers used for Class C hazards on the basis of the appropriate pattern for the existing Class A or Class B hazards.
(6) The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers or other containers of Class D extinguishing agent for use by employees so that the travel distance from the combustible metal working area to any extinguishing agent is 75 feet (22.9 m) or less. Portable fire extinguishers for Class D hazards are required in those combustible metal working areas where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, or similarly sized products are generated at least once every two weeks. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.157.
Export the list: 19 inspections cited 1910.157(d) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: PR (3), NV (2), DE (1), SD (1), TX (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GXO WAREHOUSE COMPANY, INC. | NEW CASTLE, DE | $12,929 |
| NATIONAL FURNITURE LIQUIDATORS | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $9,562 |
| DE ESCUELA S.U ENRIQUE DE JES?S BORR?S | ARECIBO, PR | $5,000 |
| CITY OF RAHWAY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | RAHWAY, NJ | $4,900 |
| MATTRESS LIQUIDATORS | EL PASO, TX | $3,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.157(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.157(d).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.157(d)(1) 7 citations
- 1910.157(d)(3)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How far can workers travel to a Class A extinguisher?
75 feet or less.
What about Class B hazards?
The travel distance from the Class B hazard area to any extinguisher must be 50 feet or less.
When are Class D extinguishers required?
In combustible metal working areas where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings or similar products are generated at least once every two weeks, within 75 feet travel distance.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.157 (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.