Means of Egress Fire Prevention and Protection

Introduction Fires and explosions kill more than 200 and injure more than 5,000 workers each year There is a long and tragic history of workplace fires in this country caused by problems with fire exits and extinguishing systems OSHA requires employers to provide proper exits, fire fighting equipment, and employee training to prevent fire deaths and injuries in the workplace In 1995, more than 75,000 workplace fires cost businesses more than $2.3 billion Means of Egress: 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E Fire Protection: 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L More complete information on means of egress can be found in the National Fire Protection Association document: NFPA 101: Life Safety Code

Exit Route A continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety Consists of three parts: Exit access Exit Exit discharge 29 CFR 1910.34 An exit route includes all vertical and horizontal areas along the route. Exit access is that part of an exit route that leads to an exit. Exit is that part of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge. Exit discharge is that part of an exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. A refuge area is: - A space along an exit route protected from fire by a barrier with at least a 1-hour fire resistance rating; or - A floor with at least 2 spaces, separated from each other by smoke-resistant partitions, in a building protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system. Emphasis is on escaping from fires; however, some additional hazards include explosion,earthquake, bomb threat, toxic vapors, storms (tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.). Compounding factors that may interfere with safe escape include panic and confusion, poor visibility, lack of information, and misinformation. These factors frequently cause more injuries and fatalities than the hazard itself.

Exit Route Must lead directly to a open space with access to the outside that is large enough to accommodate all building occupants likely to use the exit route Shall be continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency.

Exit Route (cont’d) Exit routes must be free and unobstructed Keep exit routes free of explosive or highly flammable materials Arrange exit routes so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless it is effectively shielded 1910.37(a) 1910.37(b)(1): Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route Obstructed exit route

Exit Doors Must Be Unlocked Must be able to open from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge Device such as a panic bar that locks only from the outside is permitted 1910.36(d) Locked and blocked exit

Exit Marking Each exit must be clearly visible and marked with an “Exit” sign Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the door 1910.37(b)(2) and (3)

Exit Marking (cont’d) If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating direction to the nearest exit The line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times 1910.37(b)(4)

Exit Marking (cont’d) Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked “Not an Exit” or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g., closet). 1910.37(b)(5)

Emergency Action Plan Describes actions that must be taken to ensure employee safety in emergencies Includes floor plans or maps which show emergency escape routes Tells employees what actions to take in emergency situations 1910.38(a) applies to all emergency action plans required by a particular OSHA standard, such as the Fire Brigades or Permit-Required Confined Spaces standard. The emergency action plan must be in writing, except for firms with 10 or fewer employees. These businesses can communicate the plan orally to employees. Emergency plans include, as a minimum: - Escape procedures and escape route assignments - Critical plant operations shutdown procedure - Procedure to account for all personnel - Assignment of rescue and medical duties - Means for reporting emergencies - Identification of responsible persons to contact for further information Employee training is necessary and an alarm system must be in place which has a distinctive signal. See OSHA Publication 3088, “How to Prepare for Workplace Emergencies,” available at www.osha.gov for more information.

Emergency Action Plan Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation Covers reasonably expected emergencies, such as fires, explosions, toxic chemical releases, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and floods

Alarm System Must have and maintain an employee alarm system The employee alarm system must use a distinctive signal for each purpose Fires, explosions, toxic chemical releases, tornadoes, floods

Training An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees EAP

Review of the EAP An employer must review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan: When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job When the employee's responsibilities under the plan change; and When the plan is changed EAP Change

When faced with a fire, you must make some split second decisions: Fire Extinguishers How do you operate this thing, anyway? When faced with a fire, you must make some split second decisions: Do I need help? Can I put out this fire?

Fire Extinguishers Time is critical…. You must be able to make split-second decisions with confidence. Does the fuel make the fire too hazardous for this extinguisher? Is this the right size extinguisher for this fire? Is there a safe way to remove the fuel source? Is this the proper type extinguisher for this fire?

Fire Extinguishers When seconds count…… Even a willing operator cannot successfully extinguish a fire unless they know how to use the available equipment.

Extinguisher Classification A Trash Wood Paper C Electrical Equipment wood cloth paper rubber many plastics energized electrical equipment B Liquids Grease D Combustible Metals gasoline oil grease tar oil-based paint lacquer flammable gases magnesium sodium potassium titanium zirconium other flammable metals DESCRIBE THE FIVE FIRE CLASSES ON THIS AND NEXT SLIDE. POINT OUT OLD AND NEW FIRE SYMBOLS--USED TO MARK EXTINGUISHERS FOR SUITABILITY FOR USE ON FIRE CLASSES. TO DECIDE IF EXTINGUISHER IS APPROPRIATE, MATCH SYMBOL TO TYPE OF FIRE BEING ENCOUNTERED. D

Fire Classification (cont’d) CLASS K FIRES K Cooking Media Recently recognized by NFPA Fires involving combustible vegetable or animal non-saturated cooking fats in commercial cooking equipment. RECENT ADDITION TO NFPA 10. DESIGNED FOR USE WITH HOTTER BURNING NON-SATURATED FAT FIRES.

What’s Inside a Fire Extinguisher A: Water ABC: Ammonium Phosphate, Potassium Bicarbonate B: Carbon Dioxide C: Sodium Bicarbonate D: Sodium Chloride, Copper, or Graphite

Extinguisher Rating Numerical rating given to Class A and B extinguishers which indicate how large a fire an experienced person can put out with the extinguisher Ratings are based on tests conducted at Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. Class A: 1-A, 2-A, . . . 40-A Class B: 1-B, 2-B, . . . 640-B A 4-A extinguisher, for example, should extinguish about twice as much fire as a 2-A extinguisher Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating because there is no readily measurable quantity for Class C fires which are essentially Class A or B fires involving energized electrical equipment. Class D extinguishers likewise do not have a numerical rating. Their effectiveness is described on the faceplate.

Fire Extinguisher Inspection Fire Extinguishers are required to be inspected monthly Monthly inspections must include the following five steps:

Fire Extinguisher Inspection 1 - It is blocked or hidden?

Fire Extinguisher Inspection 2 - Does the pressure gauge shows adequate pressure? (CO2 extinguishers must be weighed to determine if leakage has occurred) CO2 Extinguisher Has no gauge

Fire Extinguisher Inspection 3 – Are the Pin, Seal, & Tag in place?

Fire Extinguisher Inspection 4 - Does it show any visible sign of damage and/or are the labels present and legible?

Fire Extinguishers Inspection 5 - Is the nozzle free of blockage?

Fire Extinguisher Inspection Points

Fire Emergency Response Rescue A Alarm C Contain ASK “WHAT DO I DO IF I SEE A FIRE?” RESCUE VICTIMS. ALARM ACTIVATION TO SUMMON HELP. CONTAIN FIRE TO PREVENT SPREAD--CLOSE DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUT OFF EXHAUST, ETC. EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES--PUT THE FIRE OUT. E Extinguish

Firefighting Decision Criteria Know department emergency procedures and evacuation routes. Know locations of extinguishers in your area and how to use them. Always sound the alarm regardless of fire size. Avoid smoky conditions. Ensure area is evacuated. Don’t attempt to fight unless: Alarm is sounded. Fire is small and contained. You have safe egress route (can be reached without exposure to fire). Available extinguishers are rated for size and type of fire. If in doubt, evacuate! ASK “HOW DO I DECIDE TO FIGHT THE FIRE OR EVACUATE?” IF ONE OR MORE OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA AREN’T MET, BUG OUT! IF YOU DO USE AN EXTINGUISHER, PLACE IT OUT OF SERVICE AND NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE PERSON(S) SO IT CAN BE RECHARGED OR REPLACED.

P A S S Fighting the Fire Pull the pin Aim low at the base of flames Squeeze the handle IF YOU DECIDE TO FIGHT FIRE, USE “P.A.S.S.” ACRONYM TO REMEMBER HOW TO OPERATE THE EXTINGUISHER PROPERLY. S Sweep side to side

Portable Fire Extinguisher Training and Education Where portable fire extinguishers have been provided for employee use in the workplace, employees must be provided with an educational program on the: General principles of fire extinguisher use Hazards of incipient (beginning) stage fire fighting 1910.157(g) Training and education required upon initial employment/assignment and at least annually thereafter. “Incipient Stage Fire” means a fire which is in the initial or beginning stage and which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus. [1910.155(c)(26)]

Fire Extinguishers Training Aware of the importance of portable fire extinguishers as a fire fighting tool Familiar with the common types of extinguishers Respectful of the limitations of equipment and operator Knowledgeable of the steps to be taken when a fire is discovered

Fire Extinguisher Training Let’s hear more from our Subject Matter Expert and Have some hands-on training!

Summary There must be enough exits in the proper arrangement for quick escape Exit routes must be marked, lighted, free of obstructions, and locks must not be used to impede or prevent escape An emergency action plan must be in place Fire extinguisher classes and numerical ratings help a user understand its capabilities Fire extinguishers must be inspected, maintained and employees must be trained in how to use them

Quiz 1. A Class “A” Extinguisher is used for electrical fires. a. True b. False 2. The average portable fire extinguisher operates for approximately 30 seconds. 3. When you attempt to extinguish a fire, you start approximately ________ away from the fire. a. 10 feet b. 5 feet c. 7 feet d. 15 feet

Quiz a. True 4. This (Pictogram) represents a class “B” extinguisher. b. False 5. The class “D” extinguisher is the most common one found. 6. To operate an extinguisher use the acronym “PULL”.

Quiz 7. Inspect this extinguisher and determine what is wrong with it. (Select all correct answers) a. Extinguisher blocked or hidden b. Pin missing or pulled c. Inspection Tag missing or not filled out d. Gauge shows over or under charged e. Extinguisher is damaged f. Label is missing or non-legible g. Nozzle is blocked or damage

Quiz 8. What is the first thing you do in case of a fire? a. Notify others & evacuate the building b. Call the fire department c. Make sure you have a clear way out d. Assess the fire conditions 9. When exiting a building because of a fire, leave the doors open to help the fire department. a. True b. False 10. A trash can filled with paper, if on fire would be a class ___ Fire. a. “A” b. “C” c. “B” d. “D” 1 – B 2 – A 3 – A 4 – A 5 - B 6 – B 7 – C & D 8 – A 9 – B 10 – A