1926.150(a)(4): Inspect and Maintain Firefighting Equipment
All firefighting equipment on construction sites must be periodically inspected and kept in operating condition. Defective equipment must be immediately replaced.
Key takeaways
- 1926.150(a)(4) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart F).
- OSHA cited it 37 times in the last 3 years, in 37 inspections, with $17,538 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (14), SC (7), MD (3).
- Related part: 1926.150(a) General requirements (78 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.150(a)(4) is one requirement inside 1926.150 Fire protection, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart F). 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
(4) All firefighting equipment shall be periodically inspected and maintained in operating condition. Defective equipment shall be immediately replaced. 37 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.150.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: VA (14), SC (7), MD (3), AK (2), NC (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY - GARDEN STATE PARKWAY | HOLMDEL, NJ | $4,900 |
| KANDK CONSTRUCTION LLC. | ALLENTOWN, PA | $4,839 |
| SOLID WALLS, LLC | LEWES, DE | $4,729 |
| ALLIANCE RIGGERS & CONSTRUCTORS LTD | EL PASO, TX | $1,000 |
| EXPRESS ELECTRIC COMPANY | BEAVERDAM, VA | $780 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.150(a)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.150(a)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.150(a) General requirements 78 citations
- 1926.150(a)(1) 17 citations
- 1926.150(a)(3) 16 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 firefighting equipment be inspected?
Periodically, as the rule states; it does not set a specific interval in this paragraph.
What happens to defective equipment?
It shall be immediately replaced.
Does this cover all firefighting equipment?
Yes. All firefighting equipment.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.150 (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.