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August 31, 2026 Kathi Markan

August NSPIRE/REAC Newsletter: Fire Extinguisher Standard

NSPIRE Self-Inspection Checklists are NOW AVAILABLE for ALL programs
that have their Final Rules released (HCV, HOPWA, HOME, HTF, LIHTC)
Click here for free, downloadable REAC Resources.
New Training Dates TBD due to NSPIRE Standard Updates this Summer!

In this August Newsletter, I am still hopeful that HUD will announce SOON that they have posted the Standards in the Federal Register for public review and commentary.  Unfortunately, we’re still waiting.

This Newsletter will dispel the myths surrounding the Fire Extinguisher Standard and analyze the deficiencies.
ALL 3 deficiencies under the Fire Extinguisher Standard are Life-Threatening (LT)
For properties that receive a score:  on a 100-unit property, you will lose 2.4 points for EACH deficiency PER Unit, PER Building and PER Outside.

MYTHS:

  1. All Units must have a Fire Extinguisher – MYTH!
    1. This myth began from the very first iteration of the NSPIRE Standards – Version 1.3 which was part of the Demonstration – NEVER a rule:
  1. HUD quickly corrected this in the next version, and the final version does NOT state Units are required to have them.  However, if there is a bracket or sticker (evidence) – it better be there.
  1. Fire hoses and/or nozzles that are damaged/missing are an NSPIRE deficiency – MYTH!
    1. The current NSPIRE Standards version does not include fire hoses or nozzles
  1. There is a very high probability they will be added to future Standards.  Your fire hose cabinets should NOT look like this:

EXEMPT Fire Extinguishers:

Deficiency #1: Fire Extinguisher Pressure Gauge Reads Over or Under-Charged
This deficiency is self-explanatory – no extra guidance should be needed other than the following photos:

Deficiency #2: Fire Extinguisher Service Tag is Missing, Illegible or Expired

  • The Deficiency Criteria (most important section of each Deficiency) states:
  1.  Exceeding one year – past OR future from the inspection date is a deficiency.  I once saw a tag punched for 2036 – that does NOT mean it’s good for the next 10 years haha

2. If the tag is completely missing, you have a chance to avoid the deficiency citation!

3.You typically can find the manufacturers date embossed on the bottom of fire extinguishers in 2 or 4 number combinations – just add 12 years to the number to figure out the expiration:

Deficiency #3: Fire Extinguisher if Damaged or Missing

1. Damaged is self-explanatory – ANY damage that impacts functionality will be cited.Missing means there is evidence that a fire extinguisher was previously installed.

a. HUD DOES NOT REQUIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ON THE ENTIRE PROPERTY!  This is up to your local code only.
b. If your local fire code permits their removal – REMOVE THE EVIDENCE – don’t think that painting it a different color makes it anything less than a fire extinguisher bracket.  Like this:

The last point I want to make is primarily for the properties that receive a score.Since the 3 deficiencies are completely different from each other, and HUD permits citing multiple deficiencies on 1 inspectable item, you could potentially lose 7.2 deficiencies on ONE extinguisher (this score is based on a Fire Extinguisher in a Unit on a property with 100 units).

 

Please reach out to me for consulting, Pre/Post-NSPIRE inspections, training, appeals, or if you just have a question!

Resources
HUD has PDFs (videos are currently down) on how to appeal and how to close out H&S deficiencies here:
NSPIRE Toolkit
**Remember, if you will be appealing something that was cited,
your “defect mitigation in 24 hours” is that you are appealing…not that you fixed it!**
To subscribe to this free monthly newsletter and read newsletters you may have missed, click here: C4N6 Newsletter Registration and Archive