1910.157(e)(2): Monthly fire extinguisher inspections
Portable fire extinguishers, and hose used in place of them under paragraph (d)(3), must be visually inspected every month.
Key takeaways
- 1910.157(e)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 1,418 times in the last 3 years, in 1,418 inspections, with $346,788 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CT (222), TN (185), MD (122).
- Related part: 1910.157(e) Inspection, maintenance and testing (2,729 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers, 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
(2) Portable extinguishers or hose used in lieu thereof under paragraph (d)(3) of this section shall be visually inspected monthly. 1,418 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.157.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 108 |
| 2024 | 540 |
| 2025 | 458 |
| 2026 | 312 |
Top states: CT (222), TN (185), MD (122), NC (120), VA (118)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MODWASH, LLC | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $10,125 |
| NATIONAL FURNITURE LIQUIDATORS | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $9,562 |
| SV LABS PRESCOTT CORPORATION | PRESCOTT, WI | $8,512 |
| CIRCLE K STORES INC | AUSTIN, TX | $8,322 |
| KENT NUTRITION GROUP, INC. | MILFORD, NH | $8,067 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.157(e)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether inspections for portable fire extinguishers can be reduced from monthly to quarterly intervals. (2006-11-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.157(e) Inspection, maintenance and testing 2,729 citations
- 1910.157(e)(3) 1,178 citations
- 1910.157(e)(1) 117 citations
- 1910.157(e)(4) 12 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How often must extinguishers be checked?
They must be visually inspected monthly, plus an annual maintenance check under (e)(3).
Does the monthly check need a technician?
The rule requires a monthly visual inspection; it does not say who must do it.
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 2026-10-20
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.