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Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

Section 906 — PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

[F] 906.1 Where required. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in all of the following locations:

  1. In Group A, B, E, F, H, I, L, M, R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R.3.1, R-4 and S occupancies. Exception: In Group R-2 occupancies, portable fire extinguishers shall be required only in locations specified in Items 2 through 6 where each dwelling unit is provided with a portable fire extinguisher having a minimum rating of 1-A:10-B:C.

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FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  1. Within 30 feet (9144 mm) distance of travel from commercial cooking equipment and from domestic cooking equipment in Group R-2 college dormitory occupancies.

  2. In areas where flammable or combustible liquids are stored, used or dispensed.

  3. On each floor of structures under construction, except Group R-3 occupancies, in accordance with Section 3315.1 of the California Fire Code .

  4. Where required by the California Fire Code sections indicated in Table 906.1.

  5. Special-hazard areas, including but not limited to laboratories, computer rooms and generator rooms, where required by the fire code official.

7. Large and small family day-care homes shall be equipped with a portable fire extinguisher having a minimum 2A:10B:C rating. 8. Where required by California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 3. 9. Within 30 feet (9144 mm) of domestic cooking equipment located in a Group I-2.

[F] TABLE 906.1—ADDITIONAL REQUIRED PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

IFC SECTION SUBJECT
303.5 Asphalt kettles
307.5 Open burning
308.1.3 Open flames—torches
309.4 Powered industrial trucks
1204.10 Portable Generators
2005.2 Aircraft towing vehicles
2005.3 Aircraft welding apparatus
2005.4 Aircraft fuel-servicing tank vehicles
2005.5 Aircraft hydrant fuel-servicing vehicles
2005.6 Aircraft fuel-dispensing stations
2007.7 Heliports and helistops
2108.4 Dry cleaning plants
2305.5 Motor fuel-dispensing facilities
2310.6.4 Marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities
2311.6 Repair garages
2404.6.1 Spray-finishing operations
2405.4.2 Dip-tank operations
2406.4.2 Powder-coating areas
2804.3 Lumberyards/woodworking facilities
2808.8 Recycling facilities
2809.5 Exterior lumber storage
2903.5 Organic-coating areas
3006.3 Industrial ovens
3108.9 Tents and membrane structures
3206.10 High-piled storage
3306.5 Buildings under construction or demolition
3305.10.2 Roofing operations
3408.2 Tire rebuilding/storage
3504.2.6 Welding and other hot work
3604.4 Marinas
3703.6 Combustible fibers
5703.2.1 Flammable and combustible liquids, general
5704.3.3.1 Indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids
5704.3.7.5.2 Liquid storage rooms for flammable and combustible liquids
5705.4.9 Solvent distillation units
5706.2.7 Farms and construction sites—flammable and combustible liquids storage
5706.4.10.1 Bulk plants and terminals for flammable and combustible liquids
5706.5.4.5 Commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing establishments—fuel dispensing
5706.6.4 Tank vehicles for flammable and combustible liquids
5707.5.4 On-demand mobile fueling
5906.5.7 Flammable solids
6108.2 LP-gas

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

[F] 906.2 General requirements. Portable fire extinguishers shall be selected and installed in accordance with this section and Cali- fornia Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 3.

Exceptions:

  1. The distance of travel to reach an extinguisher shall not apply to the spectator seating portions of Group A-5 occupancies.
  2. In Group I-3 and in mental health areas of Group I-2, portable fire extinguishers shall be permitted to be located at staff locations.

[F] 906.3 Size and distribution. The size and distribution of portable fire extinguishers shall be in accordance with Sections 906.3.1 through 906.3.4.

[F]TABLE 906.3(1)—FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR CLASS A FIRE HAZARDS

LIGHT (Low)
HAZARD OCCUPANCY		 ORDINARY (Moderate)
HAZARD OCCUPANCY		 EXTRA (High)
HAZARD OCCUPANCY
Minimum-rated single extinguisher 2-Ac 2-A 4-Aa
Maximum floor area per unit of A 3,000 square feet 1,500 square feet 1,000 square feet
Maximum floor area for extinguisherb 11,250 square feet 11,250 square feet 11,250 square feet
Maximum distance of travel to extinguisher 75 feet 75 feet 75 feet
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
a. Two 21/2-gallon water-type extinguishers shall be deemed the equivalent of one 4-A rated extinguisher.
b._ California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 3_concerning application of the maximum floor area criteria.
c. Two water-type extinguishers each with a 1-A rating shall be deemed the equivalent of one 2-A rated extinguisher for Light (Low) Hazard Occupancies.

[F]TABLE 906.3(2)—FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR FLAMMABLE OR
COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS WITH DEPTHS LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 0.25 INCHa

TYPE OF HAZARD BASIC MINIMUM EXTINGUISHER RATING MAXIMUM DISTANCE OF TRAVEL TO EXTINGUISHERS
(feet)
Light (Low) 5-B
10-B		 30
50
Ordinary (Moderate) 10-B
20-B		 30
50
Extra (High) 40-B
80-B		 30
50
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. For requirements on water-soluble flammable liquids and alternative sizing criteria, see Section 5.5 of_California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 3._

[F] 906.3.1 Class A fire hazards. The minimum sizes and distribution of portable fire extinguishers for occupancies that involve primarily Class A fire hazards shall comply with Table 906.3(1).

[F] 906.3.2 Class B fire hazards. Portable fire extinguishers for occupancies involving flammable or combustible liquids with depths less than or equal to 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) shall be selected and placed in accordance with Table 906.3(2).

Portable fire extinguishers for occupancies involving flammable or combustible liquids with a depth of greater than 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) shall be selected and placed in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 3.

[F] 906.3.3 Class C fire hazards. Portable fire extinguishers for Class C fire hazards shall be selected and placed on the basis of the anticipated Class A or B hazard.

[F] 906.3.4 Class D fire hazards. Portable fire extinguishers for occupancies involving combustible metals shall be selected and placed in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 3.

[F] 906.4 Cooking equipment fires. Fire extinguishers provided for the protection of cooking equipment shall be of an approved type compatible with the automatic fire-extinguishing system agent. Cooking equipment involving solid fuels or vegetable or animal oils and fats shall be protected by a Class K-rated portable extinguisher in accordance with Sections 906.1, Item 2, 906.4.1 and 906.4.2 of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

[F] 906.5 Conspicuous location. Portable fire extinguishers shall be located in conspicuous locations where they will have ready access and be immediately available for use. These locations shall be along normal paths of travel, unless the fire code official determines that the hazard posed indicates the need for placement away from normal paths of travel.

[F] 906.6 Unobstructed and unobscured. Portable fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view. In rooms or areas in which visual obstruction cannot be completely avoided, means shall be provided to indicate the locations of extinguishers.

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FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

[F] 906.7 Hangers and brackets. Hand-held portable fire extinguishers, not housed in cabinets, shall be installed on the hangers or brackets supplied. Hangers or brackets shall be securely anchored to the mounting surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

[F] 906.8 Cabinets. Cabinets used to house portable fire extinguishers shall not be locked.

Exceptions:

  1. Where portable fire extinguishers subject to malicious use or damage are provided with a means of ready access.
  2. In Group I-3 occupancies and in mental health areas in Group I-2 occupancies, access to portable fire extinguishers shall be permitted to be locked or to be located in staff locations provided that the staff has keys.

[F] 906.9 Extinguisher installation. The installation of portable fire extinguishers shall be in accordance with Sections 906.9.1 through 906.9.3.

[F] 906.9.1 Extinguishers weighing 40 pounds or less. Portable fire extinguishers having a gross weight not exceeding 40 pounds (18 kg) shall be installed so that their tops are not more than 5 feet (1524 mm) above the floor.

[F] 906.9.2 Extinguishers weighing more than 40 pounds. Hand-held portable fire extinguishers having a gross weight exceeding 40 pounds (18 kg) shall be installed so that their tops are not more than 3.5 feet (1067 mm) above the floor.

[F] 906.9.3 Floor clearance. The clearance between the floor and the bottom of installed hand-held portable fire extinguishers shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm).

[F] 906.10 Wheeled units. Wheeled fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located in a designated location.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  4. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
  5. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  6. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
  9. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  10. ▸ Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
    Overview
    1. Section 901 — GENERAL
    2. Section 902 — FIRE PUMP AND RISER ROOM SIZE
    3. Section 903 — AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
    4. Section 904 — ALTERNATIVE AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
    5. Section 905 — STANDPIPE SYSTEMS
    6. Section 906 — PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
    7. Section 907 — FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS
    8. Section 908 — EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS
    9. Section 909 — SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
    10. Section 910 — SMOKE AND HEAT REMOVAL
    11. Section 911 — FIRE COMMAND CENTER
    12. Section 912 — FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS
    13. Section 913 — FIRE PUMPS
    14. Section 914 — EMERGENCY RESPONDER SAFETY FEATURES
    15. Section 915 — CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) DETECTION
    16. Section 916 — GAS DETECTION SYSTEMS
    17. Section 917 — MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS
    18. Section 918 — EMERGENCY RESPONDER COMMUNICATION COVERAGE
  11. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  12. Chapter 11 — RESERVED
  13. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  16. Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  17. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  18. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  19. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  20. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  22. Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  25. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  26. Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 21A — MASONRY
  30. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  31. Chapter 22A — STEEL
  32. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  33. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  34. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  35. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  36. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  37. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  38. Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  39. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  40. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  41. Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
  42. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  43. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  44. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  45. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  46. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  47. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  48. Chapter 34 — RESERVED
  49. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  50. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  51. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  52. Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  54. Appendix E — RESERVED
  55. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  56. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
  57. Appendix H — SIGNS
  58. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  59. Appendix J — GRADING
  60. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
  61. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
  62. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
  63. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  64. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
  65. Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
  66. Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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