Are apartments in RVA required to have fire extinguishers?

Submitted by ChiliTrees t3_z7bvtw in rva

Title. I’m sorry; I’m terrible at Googling. I searched the sub and found something about slumlords not having them (no surprise) but this is a decent apartment. There’s a fire extinguisher in unit, and there used to be one in the hallway, but it vanished for some reason. I put in a maintenance request for a new one like three weeks ago and there still isn’t one. IDK, maybe I’m being crazy, and the likelihood of a hallway fire is low, but three weeks seems like way too long to replace it. If they have extinguishers in each unit are they required to have one in the hallway? If so, is there somewhere I can report it to? Three weeks is ridiculous. Google just showed me lawyers. I don’t want a lawyer, I want the fire marshal or some other authority to give them the push they actually need to take it seriously. I am so sorry if I sound like a Karen I’m just very afraid of fire and I live on the top floor. Thank you.

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hipscrack t1_iy5wkko wrote

Call/email the regional fire marshall. They'll have the best answer and can get things moving if it's not up to regulations.

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choicebutts t1_iy6o3dm wrote

There's no requirement for an apartment to have a fire extinguisher. It has to have a working smoke alarm, though.

The fire extinguisher in the hallways is for use by anyone in that hallway. You grab it off of the holder, take it into your apartment, read the directions, and use it.

Did you call the apartment building's management office to ask why they were taken away?

If you want a fire extinguisher in your home you have to buy it for yourself. They have 'em at Lowe's and Home Depot.

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wickedwoobie328 t1_iy5szv2 wrote

Does the hallway have a fire sprinkler system?

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choicebutts t1_iy6oo24 wrote

u/ChiliTrees You can get in touch with the fire department's fire safety division and have a home fire safety assessment, just for your own preparedness. They can show you what to do in case of fire, how to take care of your smoke alarm, how to safely use extension cords, and answer any questions you have.

https://www.rva.gov/fire-emergency-services/prevention

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BlueXTC t1_iy818gz wrote

The First Alert fire extinguisher would work for your apt. $25 if the landlord does not return to replace it. I would guess the expense of recharging all the extinguishers in the building was too high a cost for them. I have never had in apt extinguishers provided by the landlord. I have always had my own. I also have small ones in my vehicles.

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