Federal rules cap travel to the nearest fire extinguisher at 100 feet, and California construction rules cap it at 75 feet.
Key takeaways for the monthly check
- Federal baseline: The travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet, according to Legal Information Institute.
- California construction limit: In California, the travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
- General area rating: A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of the floor area, or fraction thereof, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
- Flammable liquid proximity: 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 job site, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
- Inspection frequency: Portable fire extinguishers shall be inspected monthly, or at more frequent intervals, and serviced at least annually by a person licensed or registered by the State Fire Marshal, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
How far the extinguisher can be from the work
The 100-foot distance applies from any point within the protected area to the closest available extinguisher. You must pace this distance yourself to verify compliance. Do not assume the 100-foot limit applies to every state jurisdiction without checking local codes. Washington State measures this distance horizontally. Oregon’s list cites the federal rule but does not restate the specific distance in its adoption line.
What the federal page says about 100 feet
According to Legal Information Institute, the travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet.
The text does not specify a particular type of extinguisher for this distance limit in the quoted sentence, but it establishes the spatial boundary for placement. Contractors must ensure that no worker is positioned more than 100 feet away from the nearest unit, as the Legal Information Institute states the travel distance shall not exceed 100 feet.
When placing extinguishers on a job site, you must map out the protected areas and verify that the 100-foot limit is met from every point, as the Legal Information Institute standard requires. If a work zone extends beyond this distance, additional extinguishers are necessary to maintain compliance. The federal page ties this distance requirement directly to the location of the equipment relative to the workers. It does not provide exceptions for specific job types in this quoted section; the 100-foot cap is the standard for the protected area Legal Information Institute.
For a broader view of how this fits into your daily site management, consider how you track other safety measures alongside extinguisher placement. This ensures that the 100-foot rule, which the Legal Information Institute defines as a maximum travel distance, is not just a one-time setup but an ongoing part of your site safety plan.
Record the check on a construction daily log checklist and keep recordable jobsite injuries as a separate count.
What California's construction page says about 75 feet
California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1922. The regulation states that the travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet California Department of Industrial Relations. If that path is longer than 75 feet, the placement does not meet the requirement stated in this section.
The same page defines how many extinguishers you need based on floor area. It requires that a fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of the floor area, or fraction thereof California Department of Industrial Relations. Calculate the floor area of your work zone and divide it by 3,000. If you have a fraction of 3,000 square feet remaining, you still need another extinguisher with at least a 2A rating. This calculation works alongside the 75-foot travel distance rule to ensure coverage is both sufficient in number and close enough in reach.
For areas with specific hazards, the rules tighten. The regulation notes that 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 job site California Department of Industrial Relations. This 50-foot distance is shorter than the general 75-foot limit. It applies specifically to locations where flammable liquids or gases are in active use.
Inspection and service requirements are also detailed in this section. Portable fire extinguishers shall be inspected monthly, or at more frequent intervals, and serviced at least annually by a person licensed or registered by the State Fire Marshal as required by the Health and Safety Code, Division 12, Part 2, Chapter 1.5, Articles 2, 3, and 6 California Department of Industrial Relations.
One 55-gallon open container of water with two fire pails may be substituted for a fire extinguisher having a 2A rating California Department of Industrial Relations. This substitution option is specific to the 2A rating context. Verify whether this substitution applies to your specific work zone before relying on it instead of a standard extinguisher.
What Washington says about 100 feet measured horizontally
Washington’s rule for jobsite extinguishers is written in WAC 296-155-260. The page states that travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher must not exceed a horizontal distance of 100 feet Washington State Legislature.
For combustible building areas, the same page requires a fire extinguisher rated not less than 2A for each 3,000 square feet of area, or major fraction thereof Washington State Legislature.
When flammable liquids or gases are in use, the requirement tightens. WAC 296-155-260 states you must provide a fire extinguisher rated not less than 10B within 50 feet of wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the job site Washington State Legislature. This 50-foot rule applies specifically to the location where those materials are being used, not the whole site.
The page also notes that one 55-gallon open drum of water with two fire pails may be substituted for a fire extinguisher having a 2A rating Washington State Legislature. This substitution option is specific to the 2A rating and does not apply to the 10B requirement for flammable liquids.
If it exceeds 50 feet, move the unit closer to the point of use.
What Oregon's administrative-rules page says it adopted
The entry reads: "(a) 29 CFR 1926.150 Fire protection, published 4/6/79, FR vol." according to Oregon Secretary of State. This line names the federal regulation section 29 CFR 1926.150 and the publication date of 4/6/79 according to Oregon Secretary of State.
The adoption line does not restate the 100-foot travel distance sentence found in the federal text. It does not repeat the 2A rating requirement or the 10B rating requirement. The line serves as a citation to the federal rule rather than a restatement of its specific distance and rating metrics. However, the line itself does not state a travel distance. You cannot use this specific line to verify the 100-foot measurement on your site plan. You must look to the federal regulation text for the distance and rating details. The Oregon line identifies the source rule and its publication history. It does not provide the operational numbers for placement.
Write down the section number and publication date from the Oregon list on your site plan. Then locate the federal regulation text to find the specific distance and rating details. Do not rely on the adoption line for operational placement numbers.
Reference table of the extinguisher rules
| Publisher | Source Page | Travel Distance | Rating Requirement | Inspection Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Information Institute | 29 CFR § 1926.150 - Fire protection. | 100 feet Legal Information Institute | Quoted sentence does not give a rating | Quoted sentence does not give inspection frequency |
| California Department of Industrial Relations | California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1922. Portable Fire Fighting Equipment. | 75 feet California Department of Industrial Relations | 2A for each 3,000 square feet California Department of Industrial Relations; 10B within 50 feet of flammable liquids or gas California Department of Industrial Relations | Monthly inspection, or more frequent intervals California Department of Industrial Relations |
| Washington State Legislature | WAC 296-155-260: | 100 feet horizontal Washington State Legislature | 2A for each 3,000 square feet Washington State Legislature; 10B within 50 feet of flammable liquids or gas Washington State Legislature | Quoted sentence does not give inspection frequency |
| Oregon Secretary of State | Oregon Secretary of State Administrative Rules | Quoted sentence does not give travel distance | Quoted sentence does not give a rating | Quoted sentence does not give inspection frequency |
The Legal Information Institute page for 29 CFR § 1926.150 - Fire protection. states that travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet Legal Information Institute. The California Department of Industrial Relations page for California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1922. Portable Fire Fighting Equipment. states that travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet California Department of Industrial Relations. The Washington State Legislature page for WAC 296-155-260: states that travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher must not exceed a horizontal distance of 100 feet Washington State Legislature. The Oregon Secretary of State page for Oregon Secretary of State Administrative Rules cites 29 CFR 1926.150 Fire protection, published 4/6/79, FR vol., but does not restate a travel distance sentence Oregon Secretary of State.
The same page states that 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 job site California Department of Industrial Relations. The Washington State Legislature page for WAC 296-155-260: states that you must provide a fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, for each 3,000 square feet of a combustible building area, or major fraction thereof Washington State Legislature. The same page states that you must provide a fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, within 50 feet of wherever more than 5 gallons of flammable liquids or 5 pounds of flammable gas are being used on the job site Washington State Legislature. The Washington State Legislature page for WAC 296-155-260: states that one 55-gallon open drum of water with two fire pails may be substituted for a fire extinguisher having a 2A rating Washington State Legislature.
Illustrative example of a floor check
Picture one floor of 3,000 square feet under the California area rule. One extinguisher rated 2A covers that floor area. A corner 100 feet from the unit meets the federal travel cap. A corner 80 feet from the unit misses the 75-foot California cap, so place another unit closer. If workers use 5 gallons of flammable liquid there, place a 10B unit within 50 feet of that use. These round figures only show the arithmetic. They are not a site survey.
Check the distances today
Walk the protected area with a tape and mark any point past the travel cap you are using. Use 100 feet where the federal rule applies and 75 feet where the California construction rule applies. Also mark flammable-liquid use that sits past 50 feet from a 10B unit. Note the section number beside each mark before you leave the site.
FAQ about jobsite extinguishers
Where does the 100-foot sentence appear?
The 100-foot travel distance requirement appears in 29 CFR § 1926.150 - Fire protection. | Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute, which states that travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 100 feet, according to Legal Information Institute. Verify which jurisdiction applies to your current project to ensure you are following the correct baseline distance for placement.
Where does the 75-foot sentence appear?
The 75-foot travel distance requirement appears in California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1922. Portable Fire Fighting Equipment., which specifies that travel distance from any point of the protected area to the nearest fire extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. Keep these two California sections separate in your notes to avoid applying the wrong distance standard to your job site.
What does the 10B and 50-foot sentence cover?
The 10B rating and 50-foot buffer requirement appears in California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1922. Portable Fire Fighting Equipment., which requires a fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, to 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 job site, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. Check your material usage logs to determine if this 50-foot buffer is required for your daily tasks.
What does the monthly inspection sentence require?
The monthly inspection requirement appears in California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1922. Portable Fire Fighting Equipment., which states that portable fire extinguishers shall be inspected monthly, or at more frequent intervals, and serviced at least annually by a person licensed or registered by the State Fire Marshal as required by the Health and Safety Code, Division 12, Part 2, Chapter 1.5, Articles 2, 3, and 6, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. The monthly inspection is a separate action from the annual service, so do not treat one as replacing the other.