Fire Extinguisher Sizing Calculator

Calculate how many fire extinguishers your building needs under SANS 10400-T. Free tool for South Africa & Namibia. Get a PDF compliance checklist emailed instantly.

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Site parameters

SANS 10400-T · Part T compliance estimator

Floor area (m²)

m²

Occupancy class

Fire risk category

Number of storeys

Each storey must meet the minimum unit count independently.

Output

Compliance result

Auto-calculates as you fill the form

Awaiting inputs

Complete all four site parameters to generate your minimum unit count and recommended types.

Email yourself the full PDF report

Complete all four parameters above to unlock your emailed PDF compliance checklist.

Step by step

How it works

Select your building's occupancy class and enter its floor area, number of storeys, and risk category.

The calculator applies SANS 10400-T coverage rules to work out the minimum number and recommended types of extinguishers.

Enter your details to receive a PDF compliance checklist of the results by email.

Methodology

Behind the calculation

SANS 10400-T sets a minimum level of portable fire protection for every building based on how it is used. Each occupancy class (for example an office, a school, or a high-hazard factory) is given a maximum floor area that a single extinguisher may cover. The calculator divides your total floor area by that coverage area, then adjusts it for your selected risk category — higher-risk buildings get a smaller coverage area per unit, so they need more extinguishers. It also applies the rule that every storey must have at least one extinguisher, and never returns fewer than one unit. Finally, it matches your occupancy class to the extinguisher types (such as Class A, CO2, or dry powder) recommended under SANS 1475-1.

SANS 10400-TReviewed 27 May 2026

Compliance disclaimer

Before you rely on this

This calculator provides indicative guidance only, based on SANS 10400-T and SANS 1475-1, and does not constitute a formal fire risk assessment or professional engineering certification. Results must be verified by a competent, SAQCC-registered person before being relied upon for compliance. Onvert Engineering & Services accepts no liability for decisions made solely on the basis of this tool.

Frequently Asked

Your Questions Answered

The calculator is based on SANS 10400-T (the fire protection part of the National Building Regulations) together with SANS 1475-1 for portable extinguisher classification. Where SANS 10400-T is silent, conservative NFPA 10 hazard groupings are used as defaults.

Yes. Namibia widely adopts South African National Standards (SANS) for building fire protection, and SANS 10400-T is commonly referenced by Namibian authorities and insurers. The indicative minimums produced here apply to both South African and Namibian buildings, but always confirm local municipal requirements.

No. This tool provides indicative minimums only and does not replace a formal fire risk assessment carried out by a competent, SAQCC-registered person. A formal assessment considers ignition sources, fuel loads, evacuation routes, and site-specific hazards that an online calculator cannot evaluate.

SANS 10400-T requires a minimum of one portable fire extinguisher per storey, in addition to any larger number driven by floor area and occupancy coverage rules. The calculator always enforces this per-storey minimum and then increases the count where the floor area or risk category demands it.

A typical office (a low-risk occupancy) generally requires Class A water or foam extinguishers for ordinary combustibles, with CO2 units recommended near electrical equipment and server areas. The calculator lists the recommended extinguisher types for your selected occupancy class.

Yes. After running the calculation you can enter your email address to receive a PDF compliance checklist of the results, including the minimum number of units, recommended extinguisher types, and the relevant SANS reference.

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