Ontario: Fire extinguisher on elevated work platform.

[vickyp]

#102692

Forum: Community

Good Morning,
Here is the scenario I am looking for answers to:
The size for a fire extinguisher on the EWP.  There was a EWP that had a 2.5 pound fire extinguisher. We were told depended on the power source. Battery operated EWP’s only need 2.5 pound units and Propane, Gasoline and Diesel fueled EWP’s require a 5 pound fire extinguisher because of the combustible fuel. Can you please spell out what the actual requirements are, including the size please.
Fire Code:
3.4.2.1
(4) Each fuel-fired industrial truck shall be equipped with at least one portable extinguisher having a minimum rating of 2A:30B:C.
3.4.2.2
(2) Battery charging installations for battery-powered industrial trucks shall be equipped with at least one portable extinguisher having a minimum rating of 2A:30B:C
Thank you!

[vickyp]

#103096

Under Sec. 6.2.2.1. of the Fire Code, portable extinguishers must be rated and identified in accordance with CAN/ULC-S508, “Standard for the Rating and Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishers”. Sec. 1.2 of CAN/ULC-5508 also says that fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing agents must meet the size, construction and design requirements of OTHER standards, including ANSI/UL 8 CAN/ULC S554, ANSI/UL154 CAN/ULC S503, ANSI/UL299, CAN/ULC S504, ANSI/UL 626 CAN/ULC S507, and ANSI/ UL2129 CAN/ULC S566. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to any of those other standards.
Other than that, neither the OHS Regs nor the Fire Code specify weight or size requirements for portable fire extinguishers. Obviously, the weight and size of the portable fire extinguisher must be appropriate for the workers expected to use it and considered in evaluating the stability of the EWP. I’ve also pasted in the other specifications that may be relevant.
Sorry I can’t dig any deeper than that. But I hope I at least advanced your own research. Glenn
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FIRE CODE
Distance above floor
2.6 Portable extinguishers with a gross weight greater than 18 kg shall be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 1.1 m above the floor when the extinguisher is not equipped with wheels. (6.2.4.2).
2.7 Portable extinguishers having a gross weight of 18 kg or less shall be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 1.5 m above the floor. (6.2.4.3)

OHS REGS FOR CONST PROJECTS
53. (1) Fire extinguishing equipment shall be of a suitable type and size to permit the evacuation of workers during a fire. O. Reg. 213/91, s. 53 (1).
(2) Every fire extinguisher,
(a) shall be a type whose contents are discharged under pressure; and
(b) shall have an Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada rating of at least 4A40BC.

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