Fire Extinguisher

Is there a law stating that all personal residences must have at least one fire extinguisher? I am in Texas. I know that companies have, but not a personal home? I realize that it is always a good idea to have one for safety reasons. If the law is not there on this subject, I wonder why not. What do you think?

Very few areas have laws or codes of the United States that tells you what you need in your private home.

That old adage, "the house of a man is his castle". remains true for many areas.

And while I agree that government should stay out of our lives, especially with what is "necessary" in our own homes, there is no reason people should not consider having a proper fire protection equipment.

position of New Jersey, another user mentioned, is a good example of a passive method of execution that I am in favor of. You can not sell a house without making sure there are fire extinguisher (s) in question.

NFPA 10, Standard for fire extinguishers, States 2007 (attached) for homes or single or multi-family ...

F.5.1 Minimum Investment. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum score of 2-A :10-B: C, and respect the general recommendations section F.1, should be provided by the floor level of a living unit , with a maximum of 40 ft (12 m) travel distance to the equipment.

(Schedule of all NFPA is simply regarded as a recommended practice. But sometimes, some states or municipalities to adopt it as the local code with the rest of the standard.)

Again, NJ is the only state that I am aware of where it is currently being met and only at the time of sale. Maybe more states will follow their example?

No problem. Thank you for asking a good question and picking my answer. Report Abuse

I am not aware of all the states that require fire extinguishers in private homes, but there is always a good idea to have one on each floor and in the kitchen. As a side note, some states like Texas and California have banned the sale of mini-sprinkler fire some.

personal safety of residential fires is generally left to the occupants, while the trade or business or apartments have a greater risk for multiple occupants are more heavily regulated. Your local fire code or similar regulations may suggest specific provisions for residential housing, such as CO detectors and smoke / fire, and some states require these.

At the other extreme, some locations are now certified as requiring sprinkler systems in all new houses, or if an old house renovated or added.

There should be. If the lease, the landlord must provide a fire blanket and smoke. Good luck.

This will depend on local building codes that vary even from city to city, except when there is a uniform state law on this point. In New Jersey, the seller of a house must provide a working fire extinguisher to the buyer at closing.