#### § 34.50-10 Location, number, and installation of fire extinguishers—TB/ALL.

###### Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at [89 FR 76695](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/89-FR-76695), Sept. 18, 2024.

(a) Approved portable and semi-portable extinguishers must be installed in accordance with table [34.50-10(a)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-34.50-10#p-34.50-10(a)) of this section. The location of the equipment must be, in the opinion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, convenient in case of emergency. Where special circumstances exist, not covered by table [34.50-10(a)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-34.50-10#p-34.50-10(a)) of this section, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may require additional equipment as deemed necessary for the proper protection of the vessel.

(b) For additional portable extinguishers as a substitute for sand, see [§ 34.55-10](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-34.55-10).

(c) Semi-portable extinguishers must be located in the open so as to be readily seen.

(d) If portable extinguishers are not located in the open or behind glass so that they may be readily seen they may be placed in enclosures together with the firehose, provided such enclosures are marked as required by [§ 35.40-25 of this subchapter](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-35.40-25).

(e) Portable extinguishers and their stations must be numbered in accordance with [§ 35.40-25 of this subchapter](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-35.40-25).

(f) Portable or semi-portable extinguishers which are required by their nameplates to be protected from freezing must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected.

(g) Semi-portable extinguishers must be fitted with a suitable hose and nozzle, or other practicable means, so that all portions of the space concerned can be protected.

(h) Table [34.50-10(a)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-34.50-10#p-34.50-10(a)) of this section indicates the minimum required number and type for each space listed. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.

Table [34.50-10](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-34.50-10)(a)—Portable and Semi-Portable Extinguishers

| Tank ships | | Area | Tank barges | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Quantity and location | Minimum required rating | Minimum required rating | Quantity and location |
| **Safety Areas** | | | | |
| 1 required | 20-B:C | Wheelhouse and chartroom area | | None required. |
| 1 required in the vicinity of the exit | 20-B:C1 | Radio room | | None required. |
| **Accommodation Areas** | | | | |
| 1 required in each main passageway on each deck, conveniently located, and so that no room is more than 75 ft from an extinguisher | 2-A | Staterooms, toilet spaces, public spaces, offices, etc., and associated lockers, storerooms, and pantries | 2-A | 1 required in the vicinity of the exit. |
| **Service Areas** | | | | |
| 1 required for each 2,500 sq ft or fraction thereof | 40-B:C | Galleys | 40-B:C | 1 required, suitable for the hazard involved. |
| 1 required for each 2,500 sq ft or fraction thereof | 40-A:B | Stores areas, including paint and lamp rooms | | None required. |
| **Machinery Area**2 | | | | |
| 2 required3 | 40-B | Spaces containing oil fired boilers, either main or auxiliary, or any fuel oil units subject to the discharge pressure of the fuel oil service pump | 40-B | 1 required.12 |
| | and | | | |
| 1 required | 160-B4 | | | |
| 1 required for each 1,000 brake horsepower; not less than 2, not more than 65 | 40-B | Spaces containing internal combustion or gas turbine propulsion machinery | | None required. |
| | and | | | |
| 1 required67 | 120-B | | | |
| 1 required in the vicinity of the exit7 | 40-B | Auxiliary spaces containing internal combustion or gas turbine units | 40-B | 1 required in the vicinity of the exit.7912 |
| 1 required in the vicinity of the exit8 | 40-B:C | Auxiliary spaces containing emergency generators | | None required. |
| **Cargo Areas** | | | | |
| 1 required in the lower pumproom | 40-B | Pumprooms | 40-B | 1 required in the vicinity of the exit.912 |
| None required | | Cargo tank area | 40-B | 2 required.101213 |
| | | | 160-B | 1 required.911 |
| **Spare Units** | | | | |
| 10 percent of required units rounded up | 2-A | | 2-A | 10 percent of required units rounded up. |
| 10 percent of required units rounded up | 40-B:C | | 40-B:C | 10 percent of required units rounded up. |
| | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Vessels not on an international voyage may substitute two 5-B:C rated extinguishers. | | | | |
| 2 A 40-B:C must be immediately available to the service generator and main switchboard areas, and further, a 40-B:C must be conveniently located not more than 50 feet (15.25 meters) walking distance from any point in all main machinery operating spaces. These extinguishers need *not* be in addition to other required extinguishers. | | | | |
| 3 Vessels of fewer than 1,000 GT require 1. | | | | |
| 4 Vessels of fewer than 1,000 GT may substitute 1 120-B:C. | | | | |
| 5 Only 1 required for vessels under 65 ft in length. | | | | |
| 6 If an oil-burning donkey boiler is fitted in the space, the 160-B:C previously required for the protection of the boiler may be substituted. Not required where a fixed carbon dioxide system is installed. | | | | |
| 7 Not required on vessels of fewer than 300 GT if the fuel has a flashpoint higher than 110 °F. | | | | |
| 8 Not required on vessels of fewer than 300 GT. | | | | |
| 9 Not required if fixed system installed. | | | | |
| 10 If no cargo pump on barge, only one 40-B:C required. | | | | |
| 11 Manned barges of 100 GT and over only. | | | | |
| 12 Not required on unmanned barges except during the transfer of cargo, or operation of barge machinery or boilers when the barge is not underway. | | | | |
| 13 An extinguisher brought on to unmanned barges during the transfer of cargo, or operation of barge machinery or boilers does not have to be Coast Guard approved, provided it is approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) in accordance with [29 CFR 1910.7](/on/2024-09-23/title-29/section-1910.7). | | | | |

[USCG-2012-0196, [81 FR 48249](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/81-FR-48249), July 22, 2016]