For rooms storing more than 60 gallons of flammable liquids, what is the minimum extinguisher rating and its distance from the door opening?

• A. 20-B units, located inside the room within 5 feet of the door
• B. 12-B units, located outside within 20 feet
• C. 20-B units, located outside of the room but not more than 10 feet from the door opening
• D. 4-B units, located outside far from the door

Answer: (C)

When dealing with flammable liquids, extinguishers must be rated for Class B fires and placed so they’re easily reachable in an emergency. If the room stores more than 60 gallons, the minimum extinguisher rating becomes 20-B. The best placement is outside the room, within 10 feet of the door opening. This setup lets you grab the extinguisher quickly as you approach or leave the room, keeps the doorway clear, and avoids having to enter a space that could be hazardous. A smaller rating (like 12-B or 4-B) wouldn’t be sufficient for the amount stored, and placing the extinguisher farther away than 10 feet would delay response.