1926.150(c)(1): Fire Extinguishers and Small Hose Lines
Employers must provide a fire extinguisher rated at least 2A for each 3,000 square feet of building area, with no more than 100 feet of travel to one, and at least one per floor. Water drums or approved garden hose lines may substitute for 2A units, a 10B unit is required within 50 feet of larger flammable liquid or gas use, and toxic vaporizing liquid extinguishers are prohibited.
Key takeaways
- 1926.150(c)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart F).
- OSHA cited it 369 times in the last 3 years, in 364 inspections, with $246,470 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IN (85), NC (67), VA (39).
- Related part: 1926.150(c) Portable firefighting equipment (369 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1) ("Fire extinguishers and small hose lines") is one requirement inside 1926.150 Fire protection, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart F). It includes 10 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
(1) Fire extinguishers and small hose lines. 369 citations
(i) A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of the protected building area, or major fraction thereof. Travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet. Open (c)(1)(i) 128 citations
(ii) One 55-gallon open drum of water with two fire pails may be substituted for a fire extinguisher having a 2A rating.
(iii) A 1⁄2-inch diameter garden-type hose line, not to exceed 100 feet in length and equipped with a nozzle, may be substituted for a 2A-rated fire extinguisher, providing it is capable of discharging a minimum of 5 gallons per minute with a minimum hose stream range of 30 feet horizontally. The garden-type hose lines shall be mounted on conventional racks or reels. The number and location of hose racks or reels shall be such that at least one hose stream can be applied to all points in the area.
(iv) One or more fire extinguishers, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided on each floor. In multistory buildings, at least one fire extinguisher shall be located adjacent to stairway. Open (c)(1)(iv) 82 citations
(v) Extinguishers and water drums, subject to freezing, shall be protected from freezing.
(vi) A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, shall be provided within 50 feet of wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the jobsite. This requirement does not apply to the integral fuel tanks of motor vehicles. Open (c)(1)(vi) 40 citations
(vii) Carbon tetrachloride and other toxic vaporizing liquid fire extinguishers are prohibited.
(viii) Portable fire extinguishers shall be inspected periodically and maintained in accordance with Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers, NFPA No. 10A-1970. Open (c)(1)(viii) 119 citations
(ix) Fire extinguishers which have been listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, shall be used to meet the requirements of this subpart. Open (c)(1)(ix)
(x) Table F-1 may be used as a guide for selecting the appropriate portable fire extinguishers. Open (c)(1)(x)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.150.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 108 |
| 2025 | 144 |
| 2026 | 103 |
Top states: IN (85), NC (67), VA (39), OR (21), SC (17)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MIGUEL NUNEZ | DOVER, DE | $35,488 |
| ROAD CONTRACTOR CORP | MIDDLETOWN, DE | $12,676 |
| CORRALES CONTRACTORS, LLC | DOVER, DE | $8,297 |
| TOLL SOUTH RENO LLC | RENO, NV | $7,035 |
| EARL GRAY AND SONS INC | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.150(c)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Soda acid and inverted foam extinguishers are not approved portable refighting equipment. (2000-07-12)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.150(c) Portable firefighting equipment 369 citations
- 1926.150(c)(1)(i) 128 citations
- 1926.150(c)(1)(viii) 119 citations
- 1926.150(c)(1)(iv) 82 citations
- 1926.150(c)(1)(vi) 40 citations
- 1926.150(c)(1)(ix)
- 1926.150(c)(1)(x)
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
What can substitute for a 2A extinguisher?
One 55-gallon open drum of water with two fire pails, or a 1/2-inch garden-type hose line not over 100 feet long that can discharge at least 5 gallons per minute with a 30-foot stream.
Are carbon tetrachloride extinguishers allowed?
No. Carbon tetrachloride and other toxic vaporizing liquid fire extinguishers are prohibited.
How must extinguishers be maintained?
They must be inspected periodically and maintained according to NFPA No. 10A-1970.
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.