Florida Fire Code 45-06-4: Extinguisher inaccessible/blocked

Overview

Fire code 45-06-4 (Extinguisher inaccessible/blocked) is a Fire Extinguishing Equipment citation with 223 citations across Florida food establishments. A fire extinguisher that cannot be quickly reached is effectively useless during a fire.

Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records and Florida fire safety statutes.

Legal reference: 509.032(2)(d) FS

What the Code Says

45-06-4 — Extinguisher inaccessible/blocked

Portable fire extinguisher is present but inaccessible — blocked by equipment, storage, boxes, or other items preventing immediate access during an emergency.

— Florida Statutes & Administrative Code, DBPR Fire Safety Reporting

Fire Safety Risk

A fire extinguisher that cannot be quickly reached is effectively useless during a fire. Items blocking access — mop buckets, stored boxes, umbrellas, cleaning supplies — create delays that allow fires to grow. In a kitchen fire scenario, even a 10-15 second delay in reaching an extinguisher can mean the difference between a small contained fire and a structure fire.

Legal Requirements

All portable fire extinguishers must have a minimum 36 inches of clearance in front of them and remain unobstructed at all times. No equipment, supplies, or other items may be stored in a way that blocks access to any fire extinguisher. Staff should be trained to maintain clear access as part of daily operations.

Legal Basis

509.032(2)(d) FS — The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments.

— 509.032(2)(d) FS

References

• Florida State Fire Marshal
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• Florida DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants
• Florida Statutes Chapter 509

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Florida fire code 45-06-4?

Florida fire code 45-06-4 (Extinguisher inaccessible/blocked) falls under the Fire Extinguishing Equipment category. Portable fire extinguisher is present but inaccessible — blocked by equipment, storage, boxes, or other items preventing immediate access during an emergency.

Why is fire code 45-06-4 (Extinguisher inaccessible/blocked) dangerous?

A fire extinguisher that cannot be quickly reached is effectively useless during a fire. Items blocking access — mop buckets, stored boxes, umbrellas, cleaning supplies — create delays that allow fires to grow. In a kitchen fire scenario, even a 10-15 second delay in reaching an extinguisher can mean the difference between a small contained fire and a structure fire.

What are the requirements for fire code 45-06-4?

All portable fire extinguishers must have a minimum 36 inches of clearance in front of them and remain unobstructed at all times. No equipment, supplies, or other items may be stored in a way that blocks access to any fire extinguisher. Staff should be trained to maintain clear access as part of daily operations.

How common is fire code 45-06-4 in Florida?

Fire code 45-06-4 (Extinguisher inaccessible/blocked) has been cited 223 times across Florida food establishments. In the past 12 months, there have been 0 citations.

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org. How we collect and verify this data.