F.SPEQ.Fire Extinguisher Cabinet.Wall - Family Overview

The F.SPEQ.Fire Extinguisher.Cabinet.Wall Revit family is designed to provide clear, well-oriented fire extinguisher cabinet placements across different plan types. It includes multiple types to ensure proper orientation and readability of fire extinguisher symbols, accommodating both Life Safety Plans (A1.11) and Floor Plans (A5.11).

Types

• F.Recessed.Floor Plan.Bottom

• F.Recessed.Floor Plan.Top

• F.Recessed.Life Safety.Bottom

• F.Recessed.Life Safety.Top

• F.Semi-Recessed.Floor Plan.Bottom

• F.Semi-Recessed.Floor Plan.Top

• F.Semi-Recessed.Life Safety.Bottom

• F.Semi-Recessed.Life Safety.Top

• F.Surface.Floor Plan.Bottom

• F.Surface.Floor Plan.Top

• F.Surface.Life Safety.Bottom

• F.Surface.Life Safety.Top

Naming Convention

Each type follows a structured naming system based on the following criteria:

• Recessed, Semi-Recessed, or Surface: Determines how far the cabinet is embedded into the wall.

  • Recessed: Fully set into the wall.

  • Semi-Recessed: Partially embedded into the wall.

  • Surface: Mounted directly on the wall surface.

• Plan Type:

  • To distinguish between plan types, two different 3D model text symbols are used for fire extinguishers:

    • Life Safety Plans (e.g., A1.11): Use a larger 3D model text symbol with a circle for enhanced visibility.

    • General Floor Plans (e.g., A5.11): Use a smaller 3D model text symbol without a circle for cleaner labeling.

  • To control which symbol is visible depending on the plan type, use the visibility of subcategories:

    • F.FE.Symbol.LifeSafety — Controls the circle symbol for life safety sheets.

    • F.FE.Symbol.Plan — Controls the smaller, standard symbol for general floor plans.

• Plan Placement Orientation:

  • Top: Orients the text for cabinets placed at the top of a wall (in plan).

  • Bottom: Orients the text for cabinets placed at the bottom of a wall (in plan).

Purpose & Functionality

The multiple types within this family allow for:

• Proper Symbol Orientation – Ensures readability of FE symbols regardless of placement (top or bottom of the wall in plan).

• Clear Fire Extinguisher Identification – Differentiates between Floor Plan and Life Safety symbols for improved plan review.

• Flexible Wall Integration – Provides Recessed, Semi-Recessed, and Surface-mounted options to match project design needs.

Example Usage

• If a recessed FE cabinet needs to be placed on the bottom side of a wall in a Floor Plan, select F.Recessed.Floor Plan.Bottom. This ensures:

  • The Floor Plan FE symbol is displayed.

  • The text is oriented correctly (not upside down).

Building Code:

• FL NFPA 1, 13.6.3.1.3.8.1 ('23)

  • Fire extinguishers having a gross weight not exceeding 40 lb (18.14 kg) shall be installed so that the top of the fire extinguisher is not more than 5 ft (1.53 m) above the floor. [10:6.1.3.8.1]

• FL NFPA 1, 13.6.3.1.3.8.2 ('23)

  • Fire extinguishers having a gross weight greater than 40 lb (18.14 kg) (except wheeled types) shall be installed so that the top of the fire extinguisher is not more than 31/2 ft (1.07 m) above the floor. [10:6.1.3.8.2]

• ADA ACCESSIBLE REACH REQUIREMENTS

  • 308.3.1 Unobstructed.  Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.

Info:

• The F.SPEQ.Fire Extinguisher.Cabinet.Wall family was designed to accommodate the largest fire extinguisher specified by Amerex: the Amerex Purple K Dry Chemical 796 Extinguisher. This extinguisher measures 26.5 inches in height, 11 inches in width, and 8 inches in depth, with a total weight of 56 lbs.

• By designing the cabinet to fit the largest possible extinguisher, we ensure that it can be installed at a compliant height for all extinguisher sizes. This approach guarantees that any extinguisher used in a project will be positioned at the correct and accessible height.

Fire Extinguisher Placement to Ensure Code Compliance

Extinguisher Dimensions:

• Model: Z-Series Amerex Purple K 796

• Height: 26.5 inches

• Weight: 56 lbs (more than 40 lbs)

Relevant Code Requirements:

• FL NFPA 1, 13.6.3.1.3.8.2 ('23)

• For extinguishers over 40 lbs, the top cannot exceed 42 inches (3' 6") above the floor.

• ADA Accessible Reach Requirements (308.3.1 Unobstructed)

• The lowest point must be at least 15 inches above the floor.

Proposed Placement:

• To ensure compliance with both NFPA and ADA while allowing a 1/4-inch buffer from both the top and bottom limits:

• Top of the extinguisher is placed at 3' 5 3/4" (41.75 inches), ensuring it stays within the NFPA height limit.

• Bottom of the extinguisher is at 15 1/4 inches, keeping it above the ADA minimum.

Final Placement Range:

• Top of extinguisher: 41.75 inches (3' 5 3/4") (1/4" below NFPA max).

• Bottom of extinguisher: 15.25 inches (15 1/4") (1/4" above ADA min).

This precise placement ensures the extinguisher meets both NFPA height limits and ADA accessibility requirements while allowing a margin for installation tolerance.