Fire Protection Presented by Jason Bible, MBA, MSM, ARM, CHMM, CSP Program Manager, Occupational Safety and Fire Prevention

Today’s Topics….. National Fire Protection Association International Building Code by ICC

February 24, in attendance 100 lost their lives The fire was caused by pyrotechnics Great White was performing The Station Fire, Rhode Island, 2003 Video:

Notable Fires Boston 1942, Cocoanut Grove Night Club 492 people dead In 1946…. LaSalle Hotel in Chicago 61 dead Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta 119 dead A Christmas tree- Living room fire- Iroquois fire Chicago MGM Hotel Part 2

NFPA 101 Life Safety Code

What is in Code Chapter 1-3 (key information, definitions) Chapters 4-6 (occupancy definition) Chapters 7-10 (means of egress, fire protection, interior finish ) Chapters (assembly, educational, business) Chapter 43 Building Rehabilitation Annex and Index

Means of Egress. Important numbers to remember 7’6” or 6’8” with ceiling projections, 32” door opening, Kept egress clear at all times. Exits Stairs

Fire Protection Fire barriers Smoke barriers Rated fire doors Automatic Sprinklers NFPA 13, 13D, 13R

Occupancy Definitions See chapter 6 for the definition of the all the different occupancies. Table (a/b)- separation of occupancies.

Types of Occupancies Assembly- theaters, auditoriums, stadiums Educational- high schools, classroom(varies) Health Care- nursing homes, hospitals Business, Storage, Mercantile,

Assembly

Educational An occupancy used for educational purposes through the twelfth grade by six or more persons for 4 or more hours per day or more than 12 hours per week.

Health Care

Business An occupancy used for the transaction of business other than mercantile.

Storage An occupancy used primarily for the storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise, products, or vehicles.

Mercantile An occupancy used for the display and sale of merchandise. THE MALL!

Highlights The purpose of the Life Safety Code is to establish minimum requirements that will provide a reasonable degree of safety from fire and similar emergencies in buildings and structures. To apply the Code effectively, one must understand the legal authority of the Code in various jurisdictions; be familiar with the layout and content of the Code; understand how to navigate through the Code; and have a thorough understanding of how proper application of the Code can minimize the effects of a devastating fire or other emergency.

IBC

What is the IBC First published in 2000 by international Code Council Complies regulation from BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators International), Uniform Building Code-ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials), and SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International) Updated every 3 years 35 chapters, 10 appendixes, and an Index

Occupancy Types Chapter 3 A,B,E,F,H,I, M,R,S, U Some occupancies have numbers attached – A-3: assemblies for worship, recreation The number reflects the degree for which the area is being used.

21 “CORE” CHAPTERS 16 – STRUCTURAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 17 – STRUCTURAL TESTS AND SPECIAL INSPECTIONS 18 – SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS 19 – CONCRETE 20 – ALUMINUM 21 – MASONRY 22 – STEEL 23 – WOOD 24 – GLASS AND GLAZING 25 – GYPSUM BOARD LATH AND PLASTER 2006 IBC

Chapters Set up like NFPA 101 – Means of egress, fire protection, interior finish, rated construction – Chapters are more in depth

SUMMARY NFPA 101 and IBC There is no national or worldwide building code. Both codes reference one another Federal Government requires NFPA for hospitals participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs State agency along with municipalities may use IBC but want to use NFPA for egress. IBC geared toward construction and life safety NFPA 101 is more for life safety in different occupancies

NFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories using Chemicals

Applicability of NFPA 45 NFPA edition, Figure A.1.3

A Laboratory? Laboratory A workplace where chemicals are used or synthesized on a non-production basis. Laboratory Work Area A room or space for testing, analysis, research, instruction, or similar activities that involve the use of chemicals. Laboratory Unit An enclosed space used for experiments or tests. May include one or more laboratory work areas. Laboratory Building A structure consisting wholly or principally of one or more laboratory units.

Laboratory Units NFPA edition, Figure D.2.4(a)

Laboratory Units NFPA edition, Figure D.2.4(b)NFPA edition, Figure D.2.4(c)

Laboratory Units NFPA edition, Figure D.2.4(d)NFPA edition, Figure D.2.4(e)

Objective of NFPA 45 Limit injury to: – Occupants at the point of fire origin – Emergency response personnel Limit property loss to a single laboratory unit

Laboratory Unit Fire Hazard Classification Class A Unit = High Fire Hazard Class B Unit = Moderate Fire Hazard Class C Unit = Low Fire Hazard Class D Unit = Minimal Fire Hazard

Laboratory Unit Classification Based on the quantity of: – Flammable liquids – Combustible liquids – Flammable gases Includes quantities in storage and use

Laboratory Unit Classification Liquefied flammable gases = Class I flammable liquids How to classify hazardous materials? CD ROM database: – Hazardous Materials Expert Assistant – Ask users to inventory existing materials Look at worst-case user – types and quantity

Laboratory Unit Classification Lab Unit Classification Maximum Quantity Class I Liquids per Lab Unit (gal) Maximum Quantity Class I, II, IIIA Liquids per Lab Unit (gal) A20 gal/100 ft 2 1,200 (max) 40 gal/100 ft max B10 gal/100 ft max 20 gal/100 ft max C4 gal/100 ft max 8 gal/100 ft max D2 gal/100 ft max 2 gal/100 ft max Includes quantities in storage cabinets or safety cans

Laboratory Unit Classification Lab Unit Classification NFPA 101 Occupancy Classification Area Limit per Lab Unit (ft 2 ) Vertical Fire Separation (hours) AIndustrial10, min openings BIndustrial10, min openings CIndustrialNo LimitNot Required DBusinessNo LimitNot Required

Laboratory Unit Classification No limit on number of lab units per floor No reduction of allowable quantities based on vertical location Supporting construction must carry corresponding fire rating Difficult to do Class A/B lab units in multi-story Type IIB building!

Fire Protection Automatic sprinkler system required in all new labs Sprinkler Density: – Ordinary Hazard Group 2 – A/B lab units – Ordinary Hazard Group 1 – C/D lab units Portable Fire Extinguishers – Class A Units = Extra (high) Hazard – Class B, C, D Units = Ordinary (moderate) Hazard Standpipes – Lab buildings 2 or more stories above or below grade

Fire Protection Fire Alarm System – Class A and B Units – manual system required – Must alert local emergency responders or public fire department Fire Prevention Procedures – Chemical handling and storage – Hot work permits – Portable electric cords – Smoking areas

Fire Protection Laboratory Emergency Plans – Alarm activation – Evacuation and building re-entry – Equipment shut down – Fire fighting operations – Non-fire hazards that threaten emergency operations

Explosion Hazards Storage or formation of materials with an instability hazard rating of 4 Highly exothermic reactions – Polymerization, oxidations, hydrogenation, etc. High pressure reactions Explosion hazards as determined by a qualified person

Explosion Protection Limit amounts of flammable or reactive chemicals Fire detection interlocked with deluge sprinklers Local fume hood suppression Explosion suppression Explosion resistant construction Explosion venting

Laboratory Ventilation Dedicated exhaust required for each lab unit – to exterior, or rated shaft, or to mechanical penthouse Fire dampers not permitted in lab exhaust duct systems – Potential alternatives: Enclose exhaust for 10 feet either side of rated penetration Use sub-ducts per NFPA 45: A – Dedicated exhaust duct risers – 22-inch sub-ducts with continuous upward air movement

Laboratory Ventilation Negative pressure vs. corridors and non-lab area Ducts – Non-combustible materials – Combustible material with Flame Spread ≤ 25 Fans – Conveying corrosive, flammable or combustible vapors Flame Spread ≤ 25 Non-ferrous or spark-resistant

Laboratory Ventilation Hood interiors – Flame Spread ≤ 25 by NFPA 255 – Sprinklered for special cases Flame spread > 25 Hazard analysis Airflow measuring device at each hood

Gas Storage and Use Ventilated hood required for lecture bottles: – Health hazard 3 or 4 – Health hazard 2 with no physiological warning properties – Pyrophoric gases Gas cabinet and NFPA 55 compliance required for cylinders: – Health hazard 3 or 4 – Health hazard 2 with no warning properties Sprinklered gas cabinet required for pyrophoric gas cylinders

Gas Storage and Use Gas quantity limits for areas < 500ft 2 : – Flammable – 6.0 ft 3 – Oxidizing – 6.0 ft 3 – Liquefied flammable – 1.2 ft 3 – Health hazard 3 or 4 – 0.3 ft 3 Gas quantity limits for areas >500ft 2 : – Flammable – ft 3 per ft 2 – Oxidizing – ft 3 per ft 2 – Liquefied flammable – ft 3 per ft 2 – Health hazard 3 or 4 – ft 3 per ft 2

Gas Storage and Use Cylinders not “in use” shall not be stored in a laboratory unit. Number of lecture bottles – 25 maximum Outdoor storage – No toxic or flammable gas cylinders: Within 6 feet of windows, doors, other openings Within 30 feet of ventilation intakes

Summary NFPA 45 Laboratory safety Fire hazard classification Fire protection Gas and chemical storage

NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers Fire Extinguisher Training Requirements. 29 CFR (g) Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with: the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter. Additional references: AR , TB , NFPA 10

Fire Extinguishers TYPES OF FIRE Class A - Combustible material Class B - Flammable liquid Class C - Electrical Class D - Combustible metals (not as well known) Class K- Kitchen

Fire Extinguisher Labeling

Fire Extinguishers Extinguisher types The fire equipment manufacturers refer to three basic types of hand portable fire extinguishers: 1. Stored pressure 2. Cartridge operated 3. Sealed pressure

Fire Extinguishers The difference lies mainly in the sealing method and the means by which the container is pressurized

Fire Extinguishers Classified as either stored pressure or cartridge operated, they are additionally classified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) as: ABC - (Ammonium Phosphate). BC - (Sodium Bicarbonate; Purple K). or D - (Super D or Sodium Chloride), Copper, or G-Plus (Graphite).

Fire Extinguishers Stored pressure In stored pressure models the expellant gas and extinguishing agent are stored in a single chamber and discharge is directly controlled by the valve

Fire Extinguishers Stored pressure These units have the advantage of being easily inspected since most are equipped with a pressure gauge indicating that the unit is ready for use.

Fire Extinguishers Stored pressure Once used this unit requires special recharging equipment and is normally returned to the fire department for recharge

Fire Extinguishers Cartridge operated With cartridge operated fire extinguishers, the expellant gas is stored in a separate cartridge located within or adjacent to the shell containing the extinguishing agent

Fire Extinguishers Sealed pressure Sealed pressure fire extinguishers are much the same as stored pressure units and are often referred to as disposable-non refillable types

Fire Extinguishers Sealed pressure - cont. The expellant gas and extinguishing agent are both stored in a single chamber, but differ from stored pressure units in that sealing is accomplished by means of a frangible metal disc as opposed to a valve

Fire Extinguishers Wheeled Units Wheeled units are also considered portable extinguishers and are nitrogen cylinder operated dry chemical units. They are available in sizes ranging from 75 pounds to 350 pounds. They can be used on Class A, B and C fires depending on the agent used.

Fire Extinguishers Portable fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly. The inspection should assure that: 1. Fire extinguishers are in their assigned place; 2. Fire extinguishers are not blocked or hidden; 3. Fire extinguishers are mounted in accordance with NFPA Standard No. 10 (Portable Fire Extinguisher); 4. Pressure gauges show adequate pressure (CO2 extinguisher must be weighted to determine if leakage has occurred); 5. Pin and seals are in place; 6. Fire extinguishers show no visual sign of damage or abuse; 7. Nozzles are free of blockage.

Fire Extinguishers Extinguisher Placement (Travel Distance) The following chart contains OSHA requirements for classes of fires and travel distance to an extinguisher. Some local requirements may be stricter, so you should always check with your local fire marshal / fire prevention office. Fire Class Travel Distance Class A *75 ft. (22.9m) or less Class B 50 ft. (15.2m) Class C Based on appropriate A or B Hazard Class. Class D 75 ft

Fire Extinguishers: Pass Method “P” for PULL “A” for AIM "S“ for SQUEEZE “S” for SWEEP

Fire Extinguishers Remember………. The average hand portable extinguisher will only operate for 30 seconds There is NO TIME to learn during an actual emergency.

Fire Extinguishers IN CASE OF FIRE Evacuate the building Call the fire department Make sure the fire is small Make sure you have a clear way out

SUMMARY NFPA10 PASS method Fire classifications Types of fire extinguishers