Fire Extinguishers

Effective: Prior to 2005
Reviewed and Updated: March 2022
Contact: Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)

Introduction

State Building Code requires that every campus building contain fire extinguishers. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) provides fire extinguisher services including installation in new or remodeled buildings, annual inspections, refilling of discharged extinguishers, and maintenance tasks as required.

Fire extinguishers are installed in Iowa State University buildings to meet regulatory requirements and to allow trained employees to attempt to extinguish small fires. EH&S conducts periodic training sessions and offers online training covering all aspects of fire extinguisher use.

Departments are responsible for charges related to the installation and maintenance of extinguishers in departmental areas. EH&S will install and maintain extinguishers in non-departmental areas.

Policy Statement

Fire extinguishers shall only be used for their intended purpose; to extinguish small fires.

Any extinguisher found to be faulty, discharged or missing must be reported to EH&S.

It is not a requirement that a fire extinguisher be used. In the event of a fire, only trained individuals may attempt to use fire extinguishers. Fire extinguisher training is required on an annual basis. 

Resources