Frequently Asked Questions

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Definitely not. The type of portable fire extinguisher that you will use depends on what it is that is burning. Portable fire extinguishers are listed and labeled according to the type of fire (class of fire) they are intended for. 

Letters, "A", "B", "C", "D" and "K" are used. There is a rating number preceding letters "A" and "B". The rating number indicates the relative extinguishing effectiveness. The higher the rating number, the higher the capacity (more extinguishing agent). There is no rating number preceding letters "C", "D" and "K". Some fire extinguishers have more than one letter classification, such as 2-A:20-B:C. 

This classification means that this portable fire extinguisher:

1. Could extinguish approximately twice as much Class A fires as a 1-A rated fire extinguisher.
2. Could extinguish approximately 20 times as much Class B fires as a 1-B rated fire extinguisher.
3. Is suitable for use on Class C fires (energized electrical equipment).

A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "A" is for use on Class A fires.

• Class A fires are fires that involve ordinary combustible materials such as cloth, wood, paper, rubber, and many plastics.

A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "B" is for use on Class B fires.

• Class B fires are fires that involve flammable and combustible liquids such as gasoline, alcohol, diesel oil, oil-based paints, lacquers, etc., and flammable gases.

A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "C" is for use on Class C fires.

• Class C fires are fires that involve energized electrical equipment.

A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "D" is for use on Class D fires.

• Class D fires are fires that involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium and sodium.

A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "K" is for use on Class K fires.

• Class K fires are fires that involve vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. This is for commercial kitchens, including those found in restaurants, cafeterias, and caterers.

The rule that covers this is Section 15-02 of Title 3 of the Rules of the City of New York (3RCNY §15-02), entitled "Portable Fire Extinguishers," and NFPA 10. This rule also covers the requirements for the inspection, maintenance, recharging, and hydrostatic testing of portable fire extinguishers. 

A copy of NFPA 10 can be purchased from the National Fire Protection Association - telephone # (800) 344-3555.

Example 1: A retail store needs one portable fire extinguisher (of minimum 2-A rating) for every 2,500 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof (for each floor).

Example 2: A restaurant kitchen needs one portable fire extinguisher suitable for a Class K fire, with a maximum travel distance of thirty (30) feet. This is in addition to any fixed fire extinguishing systems required to protect individual cooking appliances in the kitchen. The public assembly space in the restaurant needs one portable fire extinguisher (of minimum 2-A rating) for every 2,500 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof (for each floor).

Yes and no. 

You can perform the monthly "quick-check" inspections yourself, but a portable fire extinguisher servicing company (certified by the FDNY) must come in at least once a year and perform any maintenance, recharging, and/or testing that is required by 3RCNY §15-02 and NFPA 10.

It is intended to give reasonable assurance that the fire extinguisher is fully charged and operable. This quick check is done by verifying that the portable fire extinguisher is in its designated place, that it has not been used or tampered with, and that there is no visible physical damage or condition to prevent its operation.

However, a portable fire extinguisher servicing company (certified by the FDNY) must come in at least once a year and perform any maintenance, recharging, and/or testing that is required by 3RCNY §15-02 and NFPA 10.

Maintenance is a thorough examination of the fire extinguisher. It is intended to give maximum assurance that a portable fire extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a detailed examination, including any necessary repair or replacement. 

Maintenance will normally reveal if hydrostatic testing or internal maintenance is required. Maintenance and recharging are considered "servicing." Recharging is the replacement of the extinguishing agent. It may also include the replacement of the pressurizing gas (expellant gas) for certain types of fire extinguishers. 

An FDNY Certificate of Fitness is required to service (maintain and/or recharge) a portable fire extinguisher.

A fire extinguisher is a portable device that is used to put out small fires, while a fire suppression system is a fixed system that is designed to automatically detect and extinguish fires in larger areas.

You should only use companies that have been issued a certificate by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). This certificate is called a "portable fire extinguisher servicing company” certificate. 

Note: All companies servicing fire extinguishers in NYC must be certified by the FDNY. Venus Fire Safety is proud to be certified by the FDNY— contact us to get pricing on our services!

You can purchase them at a wide variety of retail stores, including most hardware stores.

Another option would be to purchase them from a company engaged in the

business of servicing portable fire extinguishers. These servicing companies

are certified by the FDNY. (Note: All companies servicing fire extinguishers in

NYC must be certified by the FDNY).

Note: All companies servicing fire extinguishers in NYC must be certified by the FDNY. Venus Fire Safety is proud to be certified by the FDNY— contact us to get pricing on our services!

You should keep the following in mind:

All fire extinguishers should be "listed" and "labeled" by an independent testing laboratory such as FM (Factory Mutual) or UL (Underwriters Laboratories). The identification mark of the listing and labeling company should be on each fire extinguisher.

The selection of portable fire extinguishers should be based on the character of the fires anticipated. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher on the fire could be dangerous and make matters worse. In addition, the fire extinguisher being selected should be of sufficient capacity and quantity to meet the code/rule requirements. Make sure you can handle and operate the fire extinguisher you are purchasing.

Remember that fire extinguishers need care and must be recharged after every use. Ask how it should be serviced and inspected.

All new extinguishers must be fully charged and in an operable condition. For a stored-pressure type such as dry chemical fire extinguisher, this may be confirmed by checking that the pressure gauge is in the operable range (commonly known as green zone).

For a non-stored-pressure type such as carbon dioxide, this can be done by weighing.

According to the FDNY, If the representative was from a servicing company that is certified by the FDNY, you can file a complaint with the FDNY by calling (718) 999-2533 during business hours.

If the representative was from a servicing company that is not certified by the FDNY, you can contact the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs by calling (212) 487-4444 for your rights.

Note: The FDNY does not send private companies (such as portable fire extinguisher servicing companies) to conduct official FDNY inspections.