Federal Fire Extinguisher Regulations

A fire extinguisher device uses stored pressure of nitrogen, or another type of propellant, for emergency fire situations. For an extinguisher to be effective, the fire should be small and fairly well contained. These units come in classes with labeling that depicts the types of fires the device works against based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines. Because of the danger of explosion involved with pressure canisters used to encase the propellants, there are regulations established for safe handing and shipment.

Container Contents

• Fire extinguishers with a limited quantity of compressed gas, 160 kPa (241 psig) at 70 degrees F, are exempt from labeling unless used for air transportation.

  Fire extinguishers must have contents that are nonflammable, nonpoisonous and noncorrosive.

Shipping

• The shipping of fire extinguishers requires inner packaging; no external shipping is allowed.

  For nonspecific packaging, the external volume may not exceed 18 L.

  Fire extinguishers exceeding 900 mL may not contain any liquefied compressed gas when shipped.

  Containers manufactured on and after January 1, 1976, cannot have a burst of pressure less than six times their charged pressure at 70 degrees F when shipped.

  Testing is required for each fire extinguisher prior to shipping. The test should guarantee the unit has at least three times its charged pressure at 70 degrees F but not less than 825 kPa (120 psig) before initial shipping. These containers should have markings to indicate the year of the test and the words “Meets DOT Requirements."

Extinguishers Manufactured Prior to 1976

• Labeling on extinguishers manufactured before 1976 must state, “Meets all requirements of 49 CFR 173.306.” Supplemental shipments of extinguishers must comply with the retest requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.