What does OSHA 29 CFR 1910.39 require in a fire prevention plan?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.39 requires employers to have a written fire prevention plan that includes a list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control procedures, the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard, and the personnel responsible for maintaining equipment and systems installed to prevent or control ignition of fires. The plan must be kept in the workplace and made available to employees for review. Employers with ten or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally rather than in writing.

How often should a workplace fire prevention inspection be performed?

While OSHA does not mandate a single frequency, best practice is a comprehensive fire prevention walkthrough at least quarterly, with monthly focused checks on fire extinguishers, sprinkler clearances and flammable material storage. Additional inspections should follow any fire event, near-miss, process change, new material introduction or building renovation. Annual audits covering every element of 1910.39 and Subpart L provide the strongest documentation for demonstrating an active fire prevention program.

What is the difference between a fire prevention plan and an emergency action plan under OSHA?

A fire prevention plan (1910.39) focuses on identifying fire hazards and preventing fires from starting. It addresses ignition source controls, flammable material handling, housekeeping and responsible personnel. An emergency action plan (1910.38) focuses on what to do after a fire or other emergency begins. It covers evacuation procedures, exit routes, alarm systems, employee accounting, rescue and medical duties and contact information for emergency responders. Both plans are required and must be coordinated so that prevention measures and emergency response procedures work together seamlessly.

What are the most common fire prevention violations cited by OSHA?

Common fire prevention citations include failure to maintain a written fire prevention plan, fire extinguishers not inspected monthly or serviced annually, obstructed sprinkler heads without the required 18 inches of clearance, improper storage of flammable liquids outside approved cabinets, accumulation of combustible waste and debris, blocked exit routes and missing or outdated employee training records. These items are straightforward to address with a structured checklist and regular inspections.

Who is responsible for the fire prevention plan in a workplace?

The employer is ultimately responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining the fire prevention plan per 1910.39. However, the plan must identify specific personnel responsible for maintaining fire protection equipment (extinguishers, sprinklers, alarm systems) and controlling fuel source hazards. In practice, the facility manager or EHS director typically owns the plan, with fire wardens assigned to specific areas and departments. All employees must be trained on the plan and their individual responsibilities.

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Free OSHA fire prevention checklist covering 29 CFR 1910.39. Covers fire prevention plans, ignition sources, housekeeping and employee training.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a osha fire prevention checklist?

An OSHA fire prevention checklist is a structured inspection document used to verify that a workplace meets the fire prevention plan requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.39. The standard requires employers to have a written fire prevention plan that identifies major workplace fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources, fire protection equipment and the personnel responsible for maintaining fire prevention systems. This checklist provides a section-by-section walkthrough of those requirements so safety managers can confirm compliance during routine inspections.

Fire-related incidents remain a leading cause of workplace injuries, fatalities and property damage in the United States. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.39 works alongside the emergency action plan requirements of 1910.38 and the fire protection standards of Subpart L (1910.155 through 1910.165) to create a layered defense against fire hazards. Employers in general industry, warehousing, manufacturing and office environments are all covered. A standardized fire prevention checklist gives supervisors, fire wardens and EHS professionals a repeatable tool to identify hazards, verify controls and document conditions before a fire occurs or an OSHA compliance officer arrives.

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Benefits of using this osha fire prevention checklist

Regulatory compliance: systematic verification of 29 CFR 1910.39 requirements ensures the written fire prevention plan is implemented, not just documented.
Hazard identification: walking the facility with a structured checklist forces inspectors to evaluate ignition sources, fuel storage, housekeeping and electrical conditions that routine observation may miss.
Loss prevention: early detection of fire hazards such as blocked sprinkler heads, expired extinguishers or improper flammable storage reduces the likelihood of a fire event and limits property damage.
Training verification: the checklist confirms that employees have been trained on the fire prevention plan, know the location of fire exits and understand their responsibilities during a fire emergency.
Insurance readiness: a library of completed fire prevention checklists demonstrates proactive risk management to property insurers and can support premium negotiations.
Citation avoidance: documented fire prevention inspections show good-faith compliance efforts and can reduce the severity of OSHA citations if deficiencies are found during an official visit.

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What to include in a osha fire prevention checklist

This osha fire prevention checklist covers 10 key areas:

Facility and inspector details: facility name, building or area, inspector name, date, inspection type (routine, annual, pre-OSHA visit) and scope of the walkthrough.
Written fire prevention plan review: confirm the plan exists, is current, identifies major fire hazards, lists responsible personnel and is accessible to all employees per 1910.39(b).
Ignition source controls: evaluate hot work permits, electrical equipment condition, smoking restrictions, static discharge controls and heating equipment clearances throughout the facility.
Flammable and combustible material storage: verify proper storage cabinets, labeling, quantity limits, separation distances and secondary containment for flammable liquids, gases and combustible materials per 1910.106.
Housekeeping and waste management: check that combustible waste is removed regularly, oily rags are stored in approved self-closing containers, and accumulations of dust or debris are controlled.
Fire protection equipment: confirm fire extinguishers are accessible, inspected monthly, serviced annually, and sprinkler heads have proper clearance (18 in. minimum) per Subpart L.
Electrical hazards: inspect wiring, panels, cords and outlets for damage, overloading and compliance with Subpart S; verify electrical rooms are free of combustible storage.
Employee training records: confirm all employees have received fire prevention plan training, including new hires and employees whose duties have changed, per 1910.39(d).
Exit routes and emergency action plan integration: verify exit routes are clear, exit signs illuminated, emergency lighting functional and fire prevention plan is coordinated with the emergency action plan per 1910.38.
Overall result: Compliant or Non-Compliant with corrective action log, responsible person assignments and follow-up dates.

How to use this osha fire prevention checklist

Review the written fire prevention plan and gather the previous inspection report before beginning the walkthrough.: Confirm the written fire prevention plan has been updated within the last twelve months and accurately reflects current operations, hazardous materials inventory and building layout. Collect the previous inspection report and open corrective action items. Identify the fire wardens, responsible personnel listed in the plan and any areas with recent process changes that could introduce new fire hazards.
Walk each area of the facility and inspect ignition sources, flammable material storage, housekeeping and electrical conditions.: Start at the main entrance and follow a logical route through production areas, chemical storage, electrical rooms, kitchens, break rooms, loading docks and exterior waste storage. At each location, evaluate heat-producing equipment clearances, hot work permit compliance, flammable cabinet condition, combustible waste accumulation and electrical panel accessibility. Photograph any deficiencies for the corrective action log.
Inspect all fire protection equipment including extinguishers, sprinkler heads, alarm pull stations and emergency lighting.: Verify each fire extinguisher is in its designated location, has a current monthly inspection tag, has been professionally serviced within the past year and is not obstructed. Check sprinkler heads for 18 inches of clearance below, confirm alarm pull stations are unblocked and test emergency lighting where possible. Record the serial number and location of any deficient equipment.
Verify employee training records and fire prevention plan accessibility for all current employees.: Review the training log to confirm every employee has received fire prevention plan training, including the location of fire exits, extinguisher use and their specific responsibilities. Check that new employees hired since the last inspection have been trained. Confirm the written plan is posted or otherwise accessible in a location known to all employees per 1910.39(d).
Complete the corrective action log, assign responsible persons, set due dates and distribute the inspection report.: Prioritize findings by risk level: conditions that could lead to immediate fire (exposed ignition sources near flammable storage) must be corrected the same day, while administrative gaps (missing training records) should be addressed within a defined timeframe. Each corrective action must have a named responsible person and a due date. Sign the checklist, retain the original and distribute copies to the facility manager and the safety department for recordkeeping.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.39 does not prescribe a specific inspection frequency, but the standard requires that the fire prevention plan be kept current and that fire hazards be controlled at all times. Best practice is to conduct a comprehensive fire prevention inspection at least quarterly, with monthly focused checks on fire extinguishers, sprinkler clearances and flammable storage areas.

Additional fire prevention inspections should be performed whenever a new process or material is introduced, after any fire or near-miss event, following construction or renovation work, after a seasonal change that affects heating equipment use, or before an anticipated OSHA compliance visit. Annual comprehensive audits covering every element of 1910.39 alongside the related Subpart L fire protection standards provide the strongest compliance documentation.

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Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.39 (Fire prevention plans)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 (Emergency action plans)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.155-165 (Fire protection, Subpart L)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 (Flammable liquids)
NFPA 1 (Fire Code)

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