Per NFPA10 are extinguishers "Required" in a residential triplex

[Candy Nielson]

I have some questions I am hoping you can help me find an answer to: We were recently notified after having an inspection completed (requested by our new insurance provider – Northfield is the carrier) by our local insurance agent that per NFPA10 (actual underwriter’s terms used) we would have to provide portable fire extinguishers at one of our rental properties that they just had inspected. Because we have other “like kind” properties that we have never received a request for this (even though they were also just inspected last year for the same company for same reason), we were surprised and even question the validity of this recommendation (actually it is a demand sent to us in the form of a recommendation) altogether. We had been forced to change insurance providers last year because they said we had grown too large (commercialized) for the current provider because we had too many properties to cover (we have 16 rental units total). Anyway, upon us questioning (after providing our agent with info on NFPA10 & applicable definitions for who/what types of buildings this is applicable to per NFPA10 & Building and Safety Codes) this recommendation we were told the underwriter for Northfield insurance then said it is required for all “habitational” units (the underwriters terms). After looking up all the information I could find on this along with the city, local and Idaho applicable code &/or fire safety recommendations &/or requirements, I still could not find anywhere where it was actually required for extinguishers to be installed in any multi-unit of 1-4 units specifically used for residential (rental) purposes (not used for motels, dorms, etc) only. Due to the added cost to provide portable units, install as instructed and then upkeep on this equipment as required each year not to mention my concern of installing these in places where it highly likely that they may be used for other purposes than intended, destroyed &/or become stolen, I do not want to provide extinguishers unless it is in fact “required by law”! My questions are: A.) is there a law (new or old) that recommends &/or demands installation of a portable (NFPA10) unit or units in a duplex &/or triplex (we have both along with single family units)? B.) If the underwriter is incorrect in her thinking how would you suggest I go about arguing the point with her &/or Northfield without causing undue problems with our ongoing relations? C.) or should I just start to look at getting a different insurance that does not have this requirement for this property &/or for all my properties? Any information, help or answers would be very helpful! Hope to hear from you soon!