Section 251.90  Portable Fire Extinguishers

a)         Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed, maintained, repaired, recharged, hydrostatic tested, serviced, inspected and replaced in accordance with NFPA 10 and any other applicable standards incorporated by reference in Section 251.25.  The Office recommends that the building owner perform a monthly visual inspection of the portable fire extinguisher.

b)         Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed, maintained, repaired, recharged, serviced, inspected and replaced by a Class 1 licensed fire equipment employee of a Class A licensed fire equipment distributor.

c)         Automatic fire extinguisher units having self-contained automatic detection and actuation, with a limited discharge piping network that cannot be modified in the field, shall be maintained, repaired, recharged, serviced, inspected and replaced by a Class 1 licensed fire equipment employee of a Class A licensed fire equipment distributor or a Class 2 licensed fire equipment employee of a Class B licensed fire equipment distributor.

d)         Wheeled, stationary and skid mounted fire extinguisher units, with or without quick opening valves and provided they are manually operated, shall be classified as portable fire extinguishers and shall be maintained, repaired, recharged, serviced, inspected and replaced by a Class 1 licensed fire equipment employee of a Class A licensed fire equipment distributor.

e)         Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, wet chemical, and Halon 1211 and 1301 cylinders that are part of a fire suppression system may be recharged by a Class 1 licensed fire equipment employee of a Class A licensed fire equipment distributor.  The fire suppression system, however, shall be serviced by a Class 2 licensed fire equipment employee of a Class B licensed fire equipment distributor or a Class 3 licensed fire equipment employee of a Class C licensed fire equipment distributor, whichever is applicable.

f)         All portable fire extinguishers shall have a pictorial classification decal affixed to the front of the extinguisher, if such pictorial markings are not already provided on the manufacturer's label.  Markings shall be applied by decals that are durable and color-fade-resistant on a single label.  Such markings shall comply with NFPA 10, Appendix B.

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 16058, effective October 26, 2023)