1926.150(c)(1)(viii): Fire Extinguisher Inspection and Maintenance
Construction employers must inspect portable fire extinguishers periodically and maintain them following NFPA No. 10A-1970, Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers.
Key takeaways
- 1926.150(c)(1)(viii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart F).
- OSHA cited it 119 times in the last 3 years, in 119 inspections, with $48,101 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (21), VA (17), HI (11).
- 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)(viii) 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
(viii) Portable fire extinguishers shall be inspected periodically and maintained in accordance with Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers, NFPA No. 10A-1970. 119 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 | 33 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 | 44 |
Top states: NC (21), VA (17), HI (11), SC (11), NV (8)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLATIRON/DRAGADOS, LLC | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $6,914 |
| HGR CONSTRUCTION, INC. | OCOEE, FL | $3,830 |
| THE VERDI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC | OSSINING, NY | $3,400 |
| RQ CONSTRUCTION, LLC | CORONADO, CA | $3,315 |
| MOUNTAIN WEST BUILDERS, LLC | SPANISH SPRINGS, NV | $3,310 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.150(c)(1)(viii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.150(c)(1)(viii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.150(c) Portable firefighting equipment 369 citations
- 1926.150(c)(1) Fire extinguishers and small hose lines 369 citations
- 1926.150(c)(1)(i) 128 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
How often must extinguishers be inspected in construction?
Periodically, under this rule.
What standard governs maintenance?
NFPA No. 10A-1970, Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers.
Does this apply to all portable extinguishers?
Yes. The rule covers portable fire extinguishers.
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 2026-10-19
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.