Fire Protection

A fire protection program is a key element of every risk management plan. A fire in your business is potentially a catastrophic event. Fires often result in prolonged business interruption and even insolvency. The purpose of a fire protection program is to minimize both the probability of occurrence and the consequences of a fire. A fire protection program organized around a defense-in-depth and trained employee involvement may reasonably ensure that fires are preventable and thus avoid employee injuries or severe economic loss.

Extinguishing fires has traditionally focused on “putting the wet stuff on the red stuff.” The wet stuff, water, has the characteristics of cooling, smothering, and steam generation necessary to extinguish the red stuff, fire. Water is readily available, relatively free, and fairly easy to work with.

However, it is not always effective on some types of fires or spills. It may react adversely with the material that is on fire, or it may not cover the surface of the material completely to smother it. When either of these events happens, alternative forms of extinguishing agents may be necessary. Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, halon substitutes, and foam agents each have characteristics that make them acceptable for various types of fires or spills. From the standpoint of effectiveness, foam is the preferred extinguishing agent in the majority of fires where water is not effective. Fire-fighting personnel must be trained in the proper use of the various types of foam concentrate.

Employee information

An employer must inform employees upon initial assignment to a job of the fire hazards to which they are exposed. An employer must also review with each employee those parts of the fire prevention plan necessary for self-protection

What should employers do to protect workers from fire hazards?

Employers should train workers about fire hazards in the workplace and about what to do in a fire emergency. If you want your workers to evacuate, you should train them on how to escape. If you expect your workers to use firefighting equipment, you should give them appropriate equipment and train them to use the equipment safely.

What does OSHA require for emergency fire exits?

Every workplace must have enough exits suitably located to enable everyone to get out of the facility quickly. Considerations include the type of structure, the number of persons exposed, the fire protection available, the type of industry involved, and the height and type of construction of the building or structure. In addition, fire doors must not be blocked or locked when employees are inside. Delayed opening of fire doors, however, is permitted when an approved alarm system is integrated into the fire door design. Exit routes from buildings must be free of obstructions and properly marked with exit signs. See 29 CFR Part 1910.36 for details about all requirements.

Do employers have to provide portable fire extinguishers?

No. But if you do, you must establish an educational program to familiarize your workers with the general principles of fire extinguisher use. If you expect your workers to use portable fire extinguishers, you must provide hands-on training in using this equipment.
For details, see 29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart L.

Must employers develop emergency action plans?

Not every employer is required to have an emergency action plan. OSHA standards that require such plans include the following:

• Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, 29 CFR 1910.119
• Fixed Extinguishing Systems, General, 29 CFR 1910.160
• Fire Detection Systems, 29 CFR 1910.164
• Grain Handling, 29 CFR 1910.272
• Ethylene Oxide, 29 CFR 1910.1047
• Methylenedianiline, 29 CFR 1910.1050
• 1,3 Butadiene, 29 CFR 1910.1051
  
  When required, employers must develop emergency action plans that:
  > Describe the routes for workers to use and procedures to follow.
  > Account for all evacuated employees.
  > Remain available for employee review.
  > Include procedures for evacuating disabled employees.
  > Address evacuation of employees who stay behind to shut down critical plant equipment.
  > Include preferred means of alerting employees to a fire emergency.
  > Provide for an employee alarm system throughout the workplace.
  > Require an alarm system that includes voice communication or sound signals such as bells, whistles, or horns.
  > Make the evacuation signal known to employees.
  > Ensure emergency training.
  > Require employer review of the plan with new employees and with all employees whenever the plan is changed.

Must employers have a fire prevention plan?

OSHA standards that require fire prevention plans include the following:
> Ethylene Oxide, 1910.1047
> Methylenedianiline, 1910.1050
> 1,3 Butadiene, 1910.1051

Employers covered by these standards must implement plans to minimize the frequency of evacuations.

All fire prevention plans must:

• Be available for employee review.
• Procedures for controlling workplace ignition sources such as smoking, welding, and burning.
• Inform workers of the potential fire hazards of their jobs and plan procedures.
• A list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard.
• Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials.
• Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials.
• The name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires.
• The name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.
• Require plan review with all new employees and with all employees whenever the plan is changed.
  

What are the rules for fixed extinguishing systems?

Fixed extinguishing systems throughout the workplace are among the most reliable fire fighting tools. These systems detect fires, sound an alarm, and send water to the fire and heat.

> Substitute (temporarily) a fire watch of trained employees to respond to fire emergencies when a fire suppression system is out of service.
> Ensure that the watch is included in the fire prevention plan and the emergency action plan.
> Post signs for systems that use agents (e.g., carbon dioxide, Halon 1211, etc.) posing a serious health hazard