1910.159 Sprinkler Systems: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Applies to automatic sprinkler systems installed to meet an OSHA standard and, in part, to other sprinkler systems used for employee protection. Systems must be properly designed, installed with approved components, adequately supplied with water, and maintained in reliable operating condition, including acceptance tests and inspections. A key day-to-day rule requires keeping at least 18 inches of vertical clearance between sprinkler deflectors and stored materials so water can distribute effectively.
What the standard requires
- Maintain sprinkler systems in reliable operating condition
- Provide an adequate and reliable water supply
- Keep at least 18 inches of clearance below sprinkler deflectors
- Protect sprinkler heads from mechanical damage where needed
Hazards it addresses
- Fire spread when sprinklers are blocked or impaired
- Delayed fire control leading to structural collapse
Commonly cited in warehouses, distribution centers, and retail stores with high-piled storage.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.159(c)(10) | Minimum vertical clearance of 18 inches between sprinklers and stored material | 17 | 17 | $0 |
| 1910.159(c)(2) | 5 | 5 | $0 | |
| 1910.159(c)(9) | 1 | 1 | $110,000 |
Penalties
Across 23 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $152,340 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $143,798, 6% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Other-than-serious 57%; Serious 43%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 4 | 4 | $7,093 | $7,093 |
| North Carolina | 3 | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| Puerto Rico | 3 | 3 | $11,050 | $8,850 |
| Nevada | 2 | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| California | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | $6,809 | $4,766 |
| Hawaii | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Iowa | 1 | 1 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | $200 | $200 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 1 | $300 | $240 |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | $7,093 | $4,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Wyoming | 1 | 1 | $9,795 | $8,649 |
By industry
- Retail trade: 6 inspections
- Manufacturing: 5 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 3 inspections
- Public administration: 2 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 2 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 1 inspections
- Other services: 1 inspections
- Educational services: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsville CSD Facilities Building | Williamsville, NY | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Nellis Hospitality, LLC | Las Vegas, NV | Aug 12, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Nycpd Fleet Services | Woodside, NY | Jun 30, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pet Evolution LLC | Saint Paul, MN | May 22, 2026 | 1 | $200 | $200 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| TWENTY4SEVEN Hotels Corporation dba Moxy Hotel Tempe | Tempe, AZ | May 7, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due May 7, 2026Contest deadline ~May 29, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Mayaguez Resort & Casino Inc. | Mayaguez, PR | Apr 19, 2026 | 1 | $4,500 | $4,500 | ContestedAbatement due May 14, 2026Contested Jun 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Almac�n China LLC | Manati, PR | Mar 31, 2026 | 1 | $4,000 | $1,800 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dept. of Agriculture ? FS ? Angeles National Forest | Arcadia, CA | Mar 31, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Muscatine, IA | Mar 27, 2026 | 1 | $110,000 | $110,000 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 29, 2027 | osha.gov |
| Healthcare Services Group, Inc. | Hillsborough, NC | Mar 5, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Raley's #120 | Tonopah, NV | Feb 27, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Vallen Integrated Supply, Inc. | Kings Mountain, NC | Feb 24, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Albemarle U.S., Inc. | Kings Mountain, NC | Feb 16, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. | Queensbury, NY | Feb 11, 2026 | 1 | $7,093 | $7,093 | ContestedAbatement due Feb 18, 2026Contested May 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Aurora Town Municipal Center | East Aurora, NY | Feb 9, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Trader Joe's East, Inc. | Nashville, TN | Feb 3, 2026 | 1 | $300 | $240 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| JN Group, Inc. | Honolulu, HI | Feb 2, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Grayson Ferguson Woodworking, Inc. | Lynchburg, VA | Feb 2, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Spfm LP | San Antonio, TX | Jan 9, 2026 | 1 | $7,093 | $4,000 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | East Granby, CT | Dec 5, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| China District PR LLC | Fajardo, PR | Dec 4, 2025 | 1 | $2,550 | $2,550 | ContestedAbatement due Dec 30, 2025Contested Dec 30, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply | Cheyenne, WY | Nov 26, 2025 | 1 | $9,795 | $8,649 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hale Products, Inc. | Ocala, FL | Oct 17, 2025 | 1 | $6,809 | $4,766 | Informal settlementAbatement due Nov 13, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.303 Electrical General (7 shared inspections)
- 1910.37 Exit Route Maintenance (6 shared inspections)
- 1910.305 Wiring Methods (6 shared inspections)
- 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces (5 shared inspections)
- 1910.36 Exit Route Design (5 shared inspections)
- 1910.28 Fall Protection Duty (5 shared inspections)
- 1910.157 Fire Extinguishers (5 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (5 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.159 require?
Applies to automatic sprinkler systems installed to meet an OSHA standard and, in part, to other sprinkler systems used for employee protection. Systems must be properly designed, installed with approved components, adequately supplied with water, and maintained in reliable operating condition, including acceptance tests and inspections. A key day-to-day rule requires keeping at least 18 inches of vertical clearance between sprinkler deflectors and stored materials so water can distribute effectively.
How often was 1910.159 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.159 (Sprinkler Systems) appeared in 23 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 23 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.159 is cited most?
1910.159(c)(10) was the most-cited paragraph, with 17 items: Minimum vertical clearance of 18 inches between sprinklers and stored material
Which states cite 1910.159 most often?
The most citations under 1910.159 in this period were issued in New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.159 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $0; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $0. Totals: $152,340 proposed, $143,798 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.159 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 13% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.