Fire Extinguisher Calculator — How Many Do You Need?
Get a quick, per-floor estimate of how many fire extinguishers your premises needs and which types suit your specific risks — based on the coverage and placement rules in AS 2444. Then book a free on-site assessment and we’ll confirm and certify exactly what’s required under AS 1851.
Light — offices, homes, schools, churches, assembly halls.
Ordinary — shops, showrooms, storage & display areas, workshops.
High — woodworking, high-piled storage (over 4.5 m), foam plastics, flammable-liquid handling.
How the calculator works
AS 2444 sets how far anyone should have to travel to reach a fire extinguisher and which agent suits each class of fire. This tool applies those rules: it reads your premises type to suggest a hazard level, spaces general ABE dry-powder extinguishers to the 15 m travel-distance rule, then adds the specialised units your risks demand — CO2 for switchboards and server rooms, wet chemical and a fire blanket for commercial cooking, and high-performance units for high-hazard areas.
It’s a planning estimate, not a compliance certificate. Building classification, construction year and on-site layout all affect the final number, which is why AS 2444 requires an on-site review. Once you book an assessment, a QBCC-licensed Essential Fire Protection technician confirms the exact requirement, supplies and installs the units, and tags everything to AS 1851.
Once your extinguishers are in — keep them compliant
Supplying the right extinguishers is step one. Under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 (Qld), every portable extinguisher in a commercial building must be inspected and tagged every 6 months, with a full overhaul every 5 years. Essential Fire Protection handles ongoing servicing, testing and compliance records across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Logan — from $120 for up to 5 extinguishers.
Frequently asked questions
How many fire extinguishers do I need?
Under AS 2444, no point in a workplace should be more than 15 metres’ travel from a suitable extinguisher (10 metres for a small 2.5kg unit). For most light-hazard spaces that means roughly one 4.5kg ABE extinguisher per 225 m² per floor, plus specific units for any special risks such as cooking oil, switchboards or flammable liquids. High-hazard areas need closer spacing. This calculator gives a per-floor estimate; a licensed technician confirms the exact requirement on site.
What hazard class is my building under AS 2444?
AS 2444 groups premises into Light, Ordinary and High hazard. Light covers offices, homes, schools, churches and assembly halls. Ordinary covers shops, showrooms, storage and display areas, and workshops. High covers woodworking, high-piled storage over 4.5 m, foam plastics and flammable-liquid handling. The higher the hazard, the closer extinguishers must be spaced.
Do I need different types of fire extinguishers?
Often yes. A general ABE dry-powder extinguisher suits most everyday fire risks, but specific hazards need specific agents: CO2 for switchboards and server rooms, wet chemical plus a fire blanket for commercial cooking and deep fryers, and high-performance units for high-hazard areas. Matching the right extinguisher to each risk is part of an AS 2444 assessment.
How often do fire extinguishers need to be serviced in Queensland?
Under AS 1851 and the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 (Qld), portable fire extinguishers in commercial premises must be inspected and tagged every 6 months, with a full overhaul every 5 years. Essential Fire Protection is QBCC licensed (1171614) and carries out AS 1851 servicing across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Logan from $120.
Is this calculator a substitute for a fire safety assessment?
No. It is a starting-point estimate per floor. Your actual requirement depends on your building classification, year of construction, the specific hazards present and your floor layout, all of which must be reviewed on site by a licensed fire safety technician under AS 2444. Book a free assessment and we’ll confirm exactly what your site needs.
Essential Fire Protection — QBCC Licence 1171614 · FPAA Licence IT47941 · AS 1851 certified. Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Logan. Book a fire compliance service and assessment or call 1300 859 529.