1910.160(b)(6): Annual Inspection of Fixed Extinguishing Systems
Employers must make sure fixed extinguishing systems are inspected annually by a person knowledgeable in the design and function of the system, to keep the system in good operating condition.
Key takeaways
- 1910.160(b)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 31 times in the last 3 years, in 31 inspections, with $160,927 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PR (14), HI (5), CT (3).
- Related part: 1910.160(b) General requirements (34 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.160(b)(6) is one requirement inside 1910.160 Fixed extinguishing systems, general, 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
(6) The employer shall assure that fixed systems are inspected annually by a person knowledgeable in the design and function of the system to assure that the system is maintained in good operating condition. 31 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.160.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: PR (14), HI (5), CT (3), MD (2), VI (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DE | CATANO, PR | $47,285 |
| DE ESCUELA LINO PADR?N RIVERA | VEGA BAJA, PR | $25,000 |
| DE | NARANJITO, PR | $20,000 |
| DE | TOA BAJA, PR | $20,000 |
| DE-ESCUELA EUGENIO MAR�A DE HOSTOS | ARECIBO, PR | $14,187 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.160(b)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.160(b)(6).
Related parts of this rule
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Frequently asked questions
How often must fixed extinguishing systems be inspected?
Annually.
Who can inspect them?
A person knowledgeable in the design and function of the system.
What is the goal of the inspection?
To assure the system is maintained in good operating condition.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.160 (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 2026-10-22
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.