Advantages of Oval for New Construction
There are three ways to install a fire extinguisher in a new building. Oval offers advantages over conventional fire extinguishers. To see how Oval can help you, select the installation method you intend to use below.
Option 01
Surface Mounted Fire Extinguishers
on a Wall or Column
On a retrofit or renovation project, the simplest and easiest way to install a fire extinguisher is to simply mount it on a wall. This is especially true if the facility is occupied and in use. When installed in this way, an Oval fire extinguisher will always comply with ADA accessibility requirements. A conventional fire extinguisher will not.
Low-Profile Fire Extinguisher
Conventional Fire Extinguisher
Accessibility Standards
Meets all ADA and code requirements for accessibility.
Does NOT meet accessibility requirements.
Projection from Wall or Column
3″ (76mm) or 3 ½″ (89mm) maximum, depending on model.
5" (127mm) or more.
Ease of Installation
Easiest, fastest way to install fire extinguisher. Simply mount hook on wall with screw and hang extinguisher. No dust, noise, or disruption in an occupied facility.
Same.
Corridor/Aisle Width
Maximizes usable corridor and aisle width.
Reduces usable corridor and aisle width. Wastes space.
Collision Hazard
Smaller
Bigger
Mounting
Swivel hook holds extinguisher securely on wall, even if bumped or pushed.
Unreliable wall hook. Extinguisher can fall off if bumped.
Option 02
Surface Mounted Cabinet
with Fire Extinguisher inside
While simple and easy, mounting a fire extinguisher on a wall might not be the best solution. Surface mounted fire extinguishers create obstacles, can be bumped or pushed, invite vandalism, and are unsightly. A better solution might be to install the fire extinguisher in a surface mounted cabinet. Even with a cabinet, Oval fire extinguishers still always meet accessibility requirements.
Low-Profile Fire Extinguisher
Conventional Fire Extinguisher
Accessibility Standards
Meets all ADA and code requirements for accessibility.
Does NOT meet accessibility requirements.
Projection from Wall or Column
4" (102mm) maximum.
5" (127mm) or more.
Ease of Installation
Generally easy and fast.
Same.
Corridor/Aisle Width
Maximizes usable corridor and aisle width.
Reduces usable corridor and aisle width. Wastes space.
Collision Hazard
Smaller
Bigger
Option 03
Recess Mounted Cabinet
with Fire Extinguisher inside
Recessed cabinets eliminate obstructions, provide a finished look, and offer the best appearance. Due to the slim profile of Oval fire extinguishers, they are the best - and very often the only - option for recessing a cabinet into an existing wall.
Low-Profile Fire Extinguisher
Conventional Fire Extinguisher
Accessibility Standards
Meets all ADA and code requirements for accessibility.
Does NOT meet accessibility requirements.
Projection from Wall or Column
⅝" (16mm) maximum.
Same.
Wall Depth
Cabinet can be recessed into 3 ⅝" partition wall.
Cabinet is 5-6" deep, requiring a deeper wall, wider corridor, or an alcove or recess.
Ease of Installation
Requires framing inside wall. However, this can usually be incorporated into the wall construction.
Same.
Corridor/Aisle Width
Maximizes usable corridor and aisle width.
Reduces usable corridor and aisle width. Wastes space.
Collision Hazard
Smaller
Bigger
Total Installed Cost
Lower installed cost by saving floor space and construction costs.
Higher cost by wasting floor space and requiring special walls, alcoves, and recesses.
Option 01
Surface Mounted Fire Extinguishers
on a Wall or Column
On a retrofit or renovation project, the simplest and easiest way to install a fire extinguisher is to simply mount it on a wall. This is especially true if the facility is occupied and in use. When installed in this way, an Oval fire extinguisher will always comply with ADA accessibility requirements. A conventional fire extinguisher will not.
Option 02
Surface Mounted Cabinet
with Fire Extinguisher inside
While simple and easy, mounting a fire extinguisher on a wall might not be the best solution. Surface mounted fire extinguishers create obstacles, can be bumped or pushed, invite vandalism, and are unsightly. A better solution might be to install the fire extinguisher in a surface mounted cabinet. Even with a cabinet, Oval fire extinguishers still always meet accessibility requirements.
Option 03
Recess Mounted Cabinet
with Fire Extinguisher inside
Recessed cabinets eliminate obstructions, provide a finished look, and offer the best appearance. Due to the slim profile of Oval fire extinguishers, they are the best - and very often the only - option for recessing a cabinet into an existing wall.
What about semi-recessed cabinets?
Semi-recessed cabinets are simply the outdated, “old-way” of doing things.
A conventional fire extinguisher (5” or more in diameter) cannot fit into a partition wall (3 ⅝”). Therefore, for a finished appearance, designers used to have to put the fire extinguisher inside a semi-recessed cabinet. The cabinet would be partially in the wall but still project out 2” or more.
So, the “solution” used to be to pay the same cost but still cause an obstruction.
It didn’t seem like much of a solution at all. So, we made choosing semi-recessed cabinets easy, by not offering them at all.
Instead, our low-profile fire extinguishers and cabinets fit inside a 3 ⅝” partition wall, making semi-recessed cabinets completely obsolete.
