Why Oval for New Construction?
Regardless of which mounting option is selected, Oval low-profile extinguishers provide compelling advantages. These advantages are highlighted below:
Option 1: Surface Mounting
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| Low-Profile Fire Extinguisher | Conventional Fire Extinguisher | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projection from Wall | 3″ (76mm) or 3-1/2″ (89mm) maximum, depending on model | At least 5″ (127mm) | ||
| Accessibility | Meets all ADA and code requirements for accessibility | Does NOT meet accessibility requirements | ||
| Corridor/Aisle Width | Minimizes loss of usable corridor and aisle width | Reduces usable corridor and aisle width by 5″ (127mm) or more | ||
| Collision Hazard | Can create an obstacle and collision hazard in corridors and aisles (though less than conventional extinguishers) | Creates an obstacle and collision hazard in corridors and aisles | ||
| Mounting | Uses swivel-type button hook that holds extinguisher securely on wall, even if bumped or pushed | Uses unreliable and potentially dangerous wall hook. Extinguisher can fall off wall if bumped. | ||
| Appearance | Visually unappealing. Appearance is usually not acceptable in offices, healthcare facilities, hotels and public spaces. | Visually unappealing | ||
| Ease of Installation | Fastest and easiest installation method | Fastest and easiest installation method | ||
| Total Installed Cost | Lowest cost option for installing a fire extinguisher | Lowest cost option for installing a fire extinguisher |
Option 2: Surface Mounted Cabinet with Fire Extinguisher Inside
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| Low-Profile Fire Extinguisher | Conventional Fire Extinguisher | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projection from Wall | 4″ (102mm) maximum | At least 6″ (152mm) | ||
| Accessibility | Meets all ADA and code requirements for accessibility | Does NOT meet accessibility requirements | ||
| Corridor/Aisle Width | Minimizes loss of usable corridor and aisle width | Reduces usable corridor and aisle width by 6″ (152mm) or more | ||
| Collision Hazard | Can create an obstacle and collision hazard in corridors and aisles (though less than conventional extinguishers) | Creates an obstacle and collision hazard in corridors and aisles | ||
| Appearance | Better than Option 1 but still visually unappealing. Appearance is usually not acceptable in offices, healthcare facilities, hotels and public spaces. | Better than Option 1 but still visually unappealing. | ||
| Ease of Installation | Relatively fast and easy installation method | Relatively fast and easy installation method | ||
| Total Installed Cost | More expensive than Option 1 | More expensive than Option 1 |
Option 3: Semi-Recessed Cabinet with Fire Extinguisher Inside
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| Low-Profile Fire Extinguisher | Conventional Fire Extinguisher | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets for Oval fire extinguishers can be fully recessed into a 3-5/8″ (92mm) partition wall. A semi-recessed cabinet is therefore never required for Oval extinguishers. This installation option is irrelevant with low-profile fire extinguishers. | Due to the size of conventional fire extinguishers, typical partition walls do not have sufficient depth to accommodate a fire extinguisher cabinet. The wall must be made deeper or the cabinet must project partially out from the wall. Use of such a semi-recessed cabinet is always a “make do” compromise since they are unsightly, create collision hazards, waste floor space and are expensive. |
Option 4: Recessed Cabinet with Fire Extinguisher Inside
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| Low-Profile Fire Extinguisher | Conventional Fire Extinguisher | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design Challenge | Due to the reduced depth of low-profile fire extinguishers, cabinets can be fully recessed into 3-5/8″ (92mm) partition walls. There is no need to add extra depth to walls, widen corridors or create alcoves to accomodate the extinguishers. | Cabinets for conventional fire extinguishers are too deep to be recessed into 3-5/8″ (92mm) partition walls. These cabinets therefore require adding extra depth to walls, widening corridors or creating alcoves just to accomodate the fire extinguishers. | ||
| Projection from Wall | 5/8″ (16mm) maximum | 5/8″ (16mm) maximum | ||
| Accessibility | Meets all ADA and code requirements for accessibility | Meets all ADA and code requirements for accessibility | ||
| Corridor/Aisle Width | No reduction in usable corridor and aisle width | No reduction in usable corridor and aisle width | ||
| Collision Hazard | Eliminates obstacles and collision hazards in corridors and aisles | Eliminates obstacles and collision hazards in corridors and aisles | ||
| Appearance | Best appearance. Widely used in offices, healthcare facilities, hotels and public spaces. | Best appearance. Widely used in offices, healthcare facilities, hotels and public spaces. | ||
| Ease of Installation | Installation can be incorporated into overall construction schedule and sequence | Installation can be incorporated into overall construction schedule and sequence | ||
| Total Installed Cost | By avoiding design challenges described above, significantly lower total installed cost than conventional fire extinguisher | Higher total cost due to wasted floor space, deeper walls, wider corridors and alcoves |