SECTION 551.66. Portable Fire Extinguishers

(a) General. Portable fire extinguishers must be provided and maintained to comply with the provisions of NFPA 10. This includes such items as type of extinguishers (A, B, or C), location and spacing, mounting heights, monthly inspections by staff, yearly inspections by a licensed agent (with any necessary servicing), and hydrostatic testing as recommended by the manufacturer.

(b) Types of extinguishers.

(1) Extinguishers in resident corridors must be spaced so that travel distance is not more than 75 feet. The minimum size of extinguishers must be either 2 1/2 gallon (pressurized water) for water type or 2-A: 10-B: C (five-pound dry chemical) for ABC type.

(2) Extinguishers must be installed on supplied hangers or brackets or be mounted in cabinets approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

(3) Extinguishers must be surface wall-mounted or recessed in cabinets where they are not subject to physical damage or dislodgement.

(4) Extinguishers having a gross weight not exceeding 40 pounds must be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than five feet above the floor. Extinguishers with a gross weight greater than 40 pounds must be installed so the top of the extinguisher is not more than 3 1/2 feet above the floor. The clearance between the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor must not be less than four inches.

(5) Portable extinguishers provided in hazardous rooms must be located as close as possible to the exit door opening and on the latch (knob) side.

(6) Staff must be appropriately trained in the use of each type of extinguisher in the facility.

Source Note: The provisions of this §551.66 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 5328; amended to be effective May 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 4060; transferred effective May 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register April 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 1883; amended to be effective February 24, 2022, 47 TexReg 787