46 CFR 34.50-10: Fire extinguisher location and installation on tank vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers the installation of approved portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers on tank vessels. They must be installed in accordance with table 1 to § 34.50-10(a), in locations the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, finds convenient in an emergency. The section also sets rules for visibility, numbering, freezing protection and hoses.
Applies toTank vessels, meaning tank ships and tank barges, as shown in the heading (TB/ALL) and in table 1 to § 34.50-10(a).
What it says
Approved portable and semi-portable extinguishers must be installed in accordance with table 1 to § 34.50-10(a), and their location must be convenient in an emergency in the opinion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
46 CFR 34.50-10(a)“Approved portable and semi-portable extinguishers must be installed in accordance with table 1 to § 34.50-10(a).”
Where special circumstances exist that the table does not cover, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may require additional equipment as deemed necessary for the proper protection of the vessel.
46 CFR 34.50-10(a)“Where special circumstances exist, not covered by table 1 to § 34.50-10(a), the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may require additional equipment as deemed necessary for the proper protection of the vessel.”
Semi-portable extinguishers must be located in the open so that they are readily seen.
46 CFR 34.50-10(c)“Semi-portable extinguishers must be located in the open so as to be readily seen.”
Portable extinguishers that are not in the open or behind glass where they can be readily seen may be placed in enclosures with the firehose, if the enclosures are marked as required by § 35.40-25 of this subchapter.
46 CFR 34.50-10(d)“they may be placed in enclosures together with the firehose, provided such enclosures are marked as required by § 35.40-25 of this subchapter.”
Portable extinguishers and their stations must be numbered in accordance with § 35.40-25 of this subchapter.
46 CFR 34.50-10(e)“Portable extinguishers and their stations must be numbered in accordance with § 35.40-25 of this subchapter.”
Portable or semi-portable extinguishers whose nameplates require protection from freezing must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected.
46 CFR 34.50-10(f)“must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected.”
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.
46 CFR 34.50-10(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.”
Table 1 gives the minimum number and type for each space listed. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if they meet the table's requirements.
46 CFR 34.50-10(h)“Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.”
Common questions
Who decides whether fire extinguisher locations are acceptable?
The location must be convenient in case of emergency in the opinion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
“The location of the equipment must be, in the opinion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, convenient in case of emergency.”
Can I use a larger-rated extinguisher than the table requires?
Yes. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if they meet the requirements of the table.
“Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.”
Where must semi-portable fire extinguishers be located?
Semi-portable extinguishers must be located in the open so that they are readily seen.
“Semi-portable extinguishers must be located in the open so as to be readily seen.”
Can extinguishers be placed where freezing is expected?
No, not if their nameplates require protection from freezing. Those extinguishers must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected.
“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.”
The text of 46 CFR 34.50-10
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Location, number, and installation of fire extinguishers—TB/ALL
(a) Approved portable and semi-portable extinguishers must be installed in accordance with table 1 to § 34.50-10(a). 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 1 to § 34.50-10(a), 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.
(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.
(e) Portable extinguishers and their stations must be numbered in accordance with § 35.40-25 of this subchapter.
(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 1 to § 34.50-10(a) 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 1 to § 34.50-10(a)—Portable and Semi-Portable Extinguishers Tank ships Area Tank barges Quantity and location Minimumrequiredrating Minimumrequiredrating Quantity and location Safety Areas 1 required 20-B:C Wheelhouse and chartroom areas None required. 1 required in the vicinity of the exit 20-B:C 1 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-B Stores areas, including paint and lamp rooms None required.
Machinery Area 2 2 required 3 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-B 4 1 required for each 1,000 brake horsepower; not less than 2, not more than 6 5 40-B Spaces containing internal combustion or gas turbine propulsion machinery None required. and 1 required 6 7 120-B 1 required in the vicinity of the exit 7 40-B Auxiliary spaces containing internal combustion or gas turbine units 40-B 1 required in the vicinity of the exit.7 9 12 1 required in the vicinity of the exit 8 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.9 12 None required Cargo tank area 40-B 2 required.10 12 13 160-B 1 required.9 11 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.
Sections it refers to
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 March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.