What is the minimum fire extinguisher rating required for Class A fires in general construction areas according to OSHA?
Correct Answer
A) 2A
OSHA requires a minimum 2A rating for fire extinguishers protecting Class A fire hazards in construction areas. These extinguishers must be distributed so that travel distance to an extinguisher does not exceed 75 feet.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.150(c)(1)(i) specifically mandates that fire extinguishers for Class A fires in construction areas must have a minimum rating of 2A. This rating indicates the extinguisher's effectiveness against ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, and fabric commonly found on construction sites. The 2A rating provides adequate fire suppression capability for typical construction fire hazards while maintaining portability and cost-effectiveness for contractors.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 4A
While a 4A rating would provide greater fire suppression capability, OSHA only requires a minimum of 2A for construction areas. Using 4A extinguishers would exceed the minimum requirement and increase costs unnecessarily.
Option C: 10A
A 10A rating significantly exceeds OSHA's minimum requirement of 2A for construction areas. This would be overkill for typical construction fire hazards and would result in heavier, more expensive equipment than necessary.
Option D: 20A
A 20A rating is far beyond OSHA's minimum requirement and would typically be used for industrial facilities with much higher fire loads than standard construction sites. This would be unnecessarily expensive and cumbersome for construction applications.
Memory Technique
Think '2A = Too Easy' - OSHA makes it simple with just 2A minimum for construction Class A fires, paired with 75 feet maximum travel distance
Reference Hint
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.150 - Fire Protection, subsection (c) covering portable fire extinguishers
More Project Mgmt Questions
What is the minimum R-value required for wall insulation in Florida Climate Zone 2?
A subcontractor brings a new chemical product to your jobsite. Under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), what information must be immediately available to workers?
A construction site has a trench that is 8 feet deep in Type B soil. What is the maximum allowable slope ratio for the trench walls without protective systems?
A detail drawing shows a scale of 3/4" = 1'-0". If a dimension measures 2.25 inches on the drawing, what is the actual dimension?
What is the maximum recommended spacing between drywall screws when attaching to wood studs?
People Also Study
Business & Financial Management
120 questions · 70% to pass
Contract Administration
60 questions · 70% to pass
Previous Question
A concrete slab measures 40 feet by 60 feet and is 6 inches thick. How many cubic yards of concrete are needed?
Next Question
You discover a discrepancy between the architectural drawings showing a 6-inch CMU wall and the structural drawings showing an 8-inch CMU wall in the same location. What is the proper procedure?