46 CFR 167.45-70: Portable fire extinguishers, general requirements
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets general rules for portable fire extinguishers. They must be placed where they are convenient and serviceable, and examined at each annual inspection. Vessels must also carry spare extinguishers or charges.
What it says
Extinguishers must be placed where the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, judges them most convenient and serviceable in an emergency, and must be easy to remove from their fastenings.
46 CFR 167.45-70(a)“Fire extinguishers shall be located in such places as in the judgment of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, will be most convenient and serviceable in case of emergency”
Every fire extinguisher must be examined at each annual inspection to confirm it is still in good condition.
46 CFR 167.45-70(b)“Every fire extinguisher provided shall be examined at each annual inspection to determine that it is still in good condition.”
Soda-and-acid and foam extinguishers must be tested by discharging the contents, cleaning thoroughly, and refilling.
46 CFR 167.45-70(b)“Soda-and-acid and foam fire extinguishers shall be tested by discharging the contents, cleaning thoroughly, and then refilling.”
Carbon dioxide extinguishers must be weighed to check contents. They must be recharged if found to be more than 10 percent under the required contents.
46 CFR 167.45-70(b)“Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers shall be checked by weighing to determine contents and if found to be more than 10 percent under required contents of carbon dioxide shall be recharged.”
Stored pressure extinguishers must be checked to see that the pressure gauge is in the operating range and the full charge of agent is in the chamber.
46 CFR 167.45-70(b)“Stored pressure type extinguishers shall be checked by determining that the pressure gauge is in the operating range, and the full charge of extinguishing agent is in the chamber.”
The hoses and nozzles of all extinguishers must be inspected to see that they are clear and in good condition.
46 CFR 167.45-70(b)“The hoses and nozzles of all fire extinguishers shall be inspected to see that they are clear and in good condition.”
Each vessel must carry spare extinguishers or charges of no less than 10 percent for each size and variety, with a minimum of one for each size and variety.
46 CFR 167.45-70(c)“each vessel must carry no less than 10 percent spare extinguishers or charges for each size and variety of fire extinguisher, with a minimum of one for each size and variety of extinguisher.”
Common questions
How often must portable fire extinguishers be examined?
Every fire extinguisher must be examined at each annual inspection to determine that it is still in good condition.
“Every fire extinguisher provided shall be examined at each annual inspection to determine that it is still in good condition.”
When must a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher be recharged?
It is checked by weighing. It must be recharged if it is found to be more than 10 percent under the required contents of carbon dioxide.
“Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers shall be checked by weighing to determine contents and if found to be more than 10 percent under required contents of carbon dioxide shall be recharged.”
How many spare fire extinguishers must a vessel carry?
Each vessel must carry no less than 10 percent spare extinguishers or charges for each size and variety, with a minimum of one for each.
“each vessel must carry no less than 10 percent spare extinguishers or charges for each size and variety of fire extinguisher, with a minimum of one for each size and variety of extinguisher.”
What happens if a pressure cartridge is punctured or leaking?
The pressure cartridge must be rejected and a new one inserted.
“If the cartridge end is punctured, or if the cartridge is otherwise determined to have leaked or to be in an unsuitable condition, the pressure cartridge shall be rejected and a new one inserted.”
The text of 46 CFR 167.45-70
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Portable fire extinguishers, general requirements
(a) Fire extinguishers shall be located in such places as in the judgment of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, will be most convenient and serviceable in case of emergency and so arranged that they may be easily removed from their fastenings.
(b) Every fire extinguisher provided shall be examined at each annual inspection to determine that it is still in good condition. Soda-and-acid and foam fire extinguishers shall be tested by discharging the contents, cleaning thoroughly, and then refilling. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers shall be checked by weighing to determine contents and if found to be more than 10 percent under required contents of carbon dioxide shall be recharged. Pump tank fire extinguishers shall be tested by pumping and discharging the contents, cleaning thoroughly, and then refilling or recharging. Cartridge-operated type fire extinguishers shall be checked by examining the extinguishing agents to determine if it is still in good condition and by examining the pressure cartridge. If the cartridge end is punctured, or if the cartridge is otherwise determined to have leaked or to be in an unsuitable condition, the pressure cartridge shall be rejected and a new one inserted. Stored pressure type extinguishers shall be checked by determining that the pressure gauge is in the operating range, and the full charge of extinguishing agent is in the chamber. The hoses and nozzles of all fire extinguishers shall be inspected to see that they are clear and in good condition.
(c) In addition to the required extinguishers in this part, each vessel must carry no less than 10 percent spare extinguishers or charges for each size and variety of fire extinguisher, with a minimum of one for each size and variety of extinguisher.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.