1910.160 Fixed Extinguishing Systems: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Covers fixed fire suppression systems such as carbon dioxide, dry chemical, wet chemical, and gaseous agent systems installed to protect employees. Systems must be designed and approved for the hazard, inspected annually, and maintained, and employees must be warned of hazards from the extinguishing agent. Where total flooding systems could create dangerous atmospheres, a pre-discharge alarm must give employees time to evacuate, and hazard warning signs must be posted at entrances to protected areas.
What the standard requires
- Inspect and maintain fixed extinguishing systems at least annually
- Post warning signs where extinguishing agents create hazards
- Provide pre-discharge alarms for total flooding systems that may harm occupants
- Train employees who inspect, maintain, or test the systems
Hazards it addresses
- Asphyxiation from carbon dioxide or other flooding agents
- Fires that are not suppressed due to impaired systems
Typically cited at restaurants with kitchen hood systems, data rooms, and paint and chemical facilities.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.160(b)(6) | General requirements for all fixed extinguishing systems | 12 | 12 | $1,200 |
| 1910.160(b)(16) | General requirements for all fixed extinguishing systems | 1 | 1 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 13 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $90,058 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $89,818, 0% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 54%; Other-than-serious 31%; Repeat 15%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 5 | 5 | $87,472 | $87,472 |
| Hawaii | 2 | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 2 | $400 | $160 |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| New York | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Oregon | 1 | 1 | $2,186 | $2,186 |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
By industry
- Educational services: 5 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 3 inspections
- Arts, entertainment & recreation: 1 inspections
- Manufacturing: 1 inspections
- Public administration: 1 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compass Group USA Inc. | Keaau, HI | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| DE | Naranjito, PR | Aug 6, 2026 | 1 | $20,000 | $20,000 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 27, 2026Contested Aug 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Utica City Fire Department Fire Academy | Utica, NY | Jul 23, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Kazi Restaurants of Hawaii Inc. | Lihue, HI | Jul 22, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| DE-Escuela Eugenio Mar�a DE Hostos | Arecibo, PR | Jul 21, 2026 | 1 | $14,187 | $14,187 | OpenAbatement due Aug 14, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 11, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| DE | Comerio, PR | Jul 10, 2026 | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 5, 2026Contested Aug 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| DE | Catano, PR | Jun 9, 2026 | 1 | $47,285 | $47,285 | ContestedAbatement due Jun 30, 2026Contested Jun 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ati Performance Products, Inc. | Woodlawn, MD | May 11, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Formal settlementContested May 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Corwin Company Inc. | Pendleton, OR | Apr 21, 2026 | 1 | $2,186 | $2,186 | Final orderAbatement due May 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of East Haven | East Haven, CT | Mar 3, 2026 | 2 | $400 | $160 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| 2067,LLC | Yorktown, VA | Oct 29, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Dec 3, 2025 | osha.gov |
| DE | Toa Baja, PR | Oct 24, 2025 | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | ContestedAbatement due Nov 19, 2025Contested Oct 28, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.305 Wiring Methods (4 shared inspections)
- 1910.157 Fire Extinguishers (4 shared inspections)
- 1910.303 Electrical General (3 shared inspections)
- 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.37 Exit Route Maintenance (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.28 Fall Protection Duty (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.36 Exit Route Design (2 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.160 require?
Covers fixed fire suppression systems such as carbon dioxide, dry chemical, wet chemical, and gaseous agent systems installed to protect employees. Systems must be designed and approved for the hazard, inspected annually, and maintained, and employees must be warned of hazards from the extinguishing agent. Where total flooding systems could create dangerous atmospheres, a pre-discharge alarm must give employees time to evacuate, and hazard warning signs must be posted at entrances to protected areas.
How often was 1910.160 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.160 (Fixed Extinguishing Systems) appeared in 12 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 13 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.160 is cited most?
1910.160(b)(6) was the most-cited paragraph, with 12 items: General requirements for all fixed extinguishing systems
Which states cite 1910.160 most often?
The most citations under 1910.160 in this period were issued in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Connecticut.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.160 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $400; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $160. Totals: $90,058 proposed, $89,818 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.160 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 38% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.