IS 2190 Explained: The Complete Guide to India Fire Extinguisher Standard

IS 2190 (Code of Practice for Selection, Installation and Maintenance of Portable First-Aid Fire Extinguishers) is the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards specification that every business, factory, and commercial premises in India must follow. It governs which extinguisher you must have, where to place it, how far apart, how high to mount it, and how often to service it. Non-compliance is the most common reason Fire NOC applications are rejected in Gujarat.

What is IS 2190?

IS 2190:2010 is the official Code of Practice for Selection, Installation and Maintenance of Portable First-Aid Fire Extinguishers, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This standard covers ALL types of portable extinguishers ranging from 1 kg to 25 kg and applies to all commercial, industrial, and residential premises throughout India. During Fire NOC inspections, fire inspectors use IS 2190 as the primary reference to verify compliance and safety. Understanding and implementing this standard is not optional—it is a legal requirement for any business seeking Fire NOC approval.

Extinguisher Selection Per IS 2190

Different types of fires require different extinguishing agents. IS 2190 specifies the correct extinguisher for each fire class:

• Class A fires (wood, paper, textiles): Water or ABC dry powder; minimum rating 1A
• Class B fires (flammable liquids): ABC dry powder or CO2 or foam; minimum rating 5B
• Class C fires (flammable gases, electrical): CO2 or ABC dry powder; minimum rating 5B
• Class D fires (combustible metals): Special dry powder (metal fire powder); specific to material
• Class E fires (live electrical): CO2 only (non-conductive); do NOT use water or foam
• Class F fires (cooking oil): Wet chemical only

ABC dry powder (monoammonium phosphate) is the most versatile option for general commercial use, as it effectively handles Class A, B, and C fires combined. For most commercial areas, this is the preferred choice.

IS 2190 Extinguisher Ratings Explained

Extinguisher ratings indicate effectiveness against different fire types. The A rating (1A, 2A, 4A, 6A, etc.) represents the water-equivalent volume, while the B rating (5B, 10B, 20B, etc.) indicates the fire area in square metres that the extinguisher can extinguish. A typical 6kg ABC extinguisher carries a rating of 2A:10B:C. IS 2190 requires that most commercial areas maintain a minimum 1A rating to ensure adequate fire suppression capability.

Coverage Area and Quantity Rules

IS 2190 establishes clear rules for extinguisher distribution across your premises:

• One extinguisher with minimum 1A rating is required per 200 square metres of floor area
• Maximum travel distance to the nearest extinguisher: 23 metres for Class A fires, 15 metres for Class B/C fires
• Each floor must have its own extinguishers—they cannot be shared across floors
• High-risk areas (electrical panels, kitchens, storage areas for flammables) need additional dedicated extinguishers, regardless of floor coverage calculations
• Minimum requirement: at least one extinguisher on each floor, regardless of area size

These rules ensure that in an emergency, occupants can always reach an extinguisher quickly enough to suppress the fire before it spreads.

Mounting and Placement Rules

Proper installation is critical for accessibility and effectiveness. IS 2190 specifies:

• Mount on wall brackets or stands—never on the floor
• Handle height: 1.0 to 1.5 metres above floor level
• Base of cylinder: minimum 0.1 metre above floor
• Location: near exit routes, clearly visible, never behind doors or furniture
• Never place near potential ignition sources, as heat can damage the cylinder
• Place red location signs above each unit, readable from 10 metres away
• Group multiple types at the same risk point—for example, position CO2 and ABC extinguishers together at electrical panels

These placement guidelines ensure that extinguishers are immediately accessible and that personnel can identify them quickly during emergencies.

IS 2190 Inspection and Maintenance Schedule

Monthly check (user responsibility): Verify that the pressure gauge is in the green zone, check for physical damage or corrosion, ensure the safety pin is intact with tamper-evident seal, and confirm that hose and nozzle are free of blockage.

6-monthly inspection (certified technician): Conduct full external examination, perform pressure testing where required, and complete operational checks without full discharge.

Annual service (certified contractor): Execute full discharge, clean and recharge with the correct agent, perform pressure testing, replace worn parts, and issue a service certificate with date, technician name, and next due date.

Every 5 years: Conduct hydraulic pressure test (hydrostatic test)—the cylinder is tested at 1.5 times working pressure. If failed, the cylinder must be condemned and replaced.

Service records must be maintained and made available for fire inspector review during Fire NOC audits.

ISI Mark—What It Means and Why It Matters

The ISI mark is a certification stamp confirming that a portable extinguisher meets IS 15683 (the performance standard for portable extinguishers). The ISI mark is required for Fire NOC approval in Gujarat—inspectors routinely reject non-ISI marked extinguishers. Reputable brands with ISI marks include Ceasefire, Kanex, Minimax, and Safex, all available from JSNM Engineers. The ISI mark is stamped on the cylinder body along with a licence number, making it easy to verify authenticity.

Common IS 2190 Violations Found During Gujarat Fire NOC Inspections

Fire inspectors frequently encounter these IS 2190 violations that cause Fire NOC rejections:

• Extinguishers positioned too far apart, exceeding the 23-metre travel distance
• Mounted too high, above 1.5 metres, making them difficult to lift in an emergency
• Missing service tags or expired service records (older than 12 months)
• Wrong type for the hazard present—for example, water extinguishers near electrical panels
• Insufficient number of extinguishers for the floor area
• Non-ISI marked units
• Pressure gauge not in the green zone

Avoiding these mistakes ensures compliance and increases the likelihood of Fire NOC approval on the first inspection.

JSNM Engineers has been supplying and servicing IS 2190-compliant fire extinguishers to factories, offices, and commercial premises across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Dehgam since 2013. Our certified technicians conduct IS 2190 compliance audits and provide service certificates accepted by Gujarat fire inspectors. Call +91 94267 68694 for a free IS 2190 compliance check at your premises.