What is the main purpose of NFPA 10?

• A. To regulate the use of water as a universal extinguishing agent.
• B. To describe fire extinguisher color schemes.
• C. To provide requirements for the selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, and testing of portable extinguishers.
• D. To set noise and evacuation drill schedules.

Answer: (C)

NFPA 10 sets the requirements for portable fire extinguishers across their entire lifecycle—how they are chosen for different hazards, where they should be placed for quick access, and how they must be inspected, maintained, and tested to ensure they work when needed. This standard guides selecting the right type and size of extinguisher for a given fire hazard, ensures extinguishers are installed in accessible locations with proper labeling, and specifies the routines for monthly inspections, periodic maintenance, and the tests that verify the cylinder and contents remain safe and functional. This combination of selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, and testing is what NFPA 10 is all about, making it the best description of its main purpose. It doesn’t regulate water as a universal extinguishing agent, nor focus on color schemes or evacuation drill schedules.