Effective November 1, 2005, the New Jersey State Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety, requires at least one portable fire extinguisher to be installed in all one and two-family dwellings (except seasonal rental units) uponchange of occupancy (this includes a sale of property and year round tenant(s).
The extinguisher shall be listed, labeled, charged, and operable; the size shall be no smaller than 2A:10B:C, rated for residential use and weigh no more than 10lbs; hangers or brackets supplied by manufacturer must be used; the extinguisher must be located within 10 feet of the kitchen; the top of the extinguisher must not be more than 5 feet above the floor; the extinguisher must be visible and in a readily accessible location, free from being blocked by furniture, storage, or other items; the extinguisher must be near a room exit or travel path that provides an escape route to the exterior; the extinguisher must be accompanied by an owner’s manual or written information regarding the operation, inspection, and maintenance of the extinguisher; and lastly, the extinguisher must be installed with the operating instructions clearly visible.