Subpart F Fire Protection and Prevention

Major Topics The Fire Triangle Classes of Fire Types of Extinguishers Steps for Using Extinguishers NFPA 704 System Fire Dangers to Humans Sources of Fire

Topics con’t Fire Protection Programs/Plans –Fire Alarm Systems –Portable Fire Extinguishers Fire Prevention Strategies –Open Yard Storage –Indoor Storage Flammable & Combustible Liquids Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP-Gas)

The Fire Triangle All 3 elements are required to start and sustain a fire

Classes of Fire A --- solid materials such as wool, plastic, paper, and clothing B --- flammable liquids and gases C --- Electrical D --- Combustible, easily oxidized metals (aluminum, magnesium, and titanium)

Types of Extinguishers & Associated Ratings Class A (Water) – will put out fires in ordinary combustibles (wood & trash). The numerical rating for this class refers to the amount of water the extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish Class B (Carbon Dioxide –may have “ice” forming around the dispensing horn) – should be used on flammable liquids (grease, gasoline, oil). The numerical rating states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire expected to be extinguished

Types con’t Class C (Carbon Dioxide) – suitable to use on electrically energized fires. This does not have a numerical rating. The “C” indicates that the extinguishing agent is non- conductive. Class D – use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type metal in question. These don’t have ratings and are not given a multi-purpose rating to use on other types of fires

Types con’t Multi-Class ratings (Dry Chemical—sodium or potassium bicarbonate )– such a label indicates that the extinguisher can be used on different types of fires Purple K – (Dry Chemical) common applications are military facilities, oil refineries, service stations Type K – (Wet Chemical) used in commercial kitchen settings

Extinguisher & Labeling Appearance Source: Terry Branch, USM Fire Safety Inspector, 2003

Steps for using extinguishers Remember the word “PASS” –P = pull pin –A = aim at base of fire –S = squeeze the trigger –S = sweep back and forth until fire extinguished

NFPA 704 System Quickly identifies hazards present when things burn The 4-colored diamond (blue, red, yellow, and white) is used to refer to specific categories of hazards.

NFPA 704 System NFPA 704 System Ratings: Red = flammability Blue = health Yellow = reactivity White = special information * Note: Range is 0 to 4; 0 = no hazard & 4 = most severe See Fig 8-4 on page 209 for additional information about ratings Source: Terry Branch, USM Fire Safety Inspector, 2003

Fire Danger to Humans Source: R.Bergeron, GP Fire Brigade Info Manual, 2003

Sources of Fire Poor Housekeeping Power tools, portable generators & heaters in the close proximity of where flammable or combustible materials are stored Smoking near flammables or combustibles Defective electrical equipment Mother Nature – lightning strikes

Fire Protection Programs Employers responsibility to develop such a program Program includes: –Firefighting equipment Should be easy to locate Inspected and maintained in operating order –Fire Brigade Trained and equipped

Fire Alarm Devices The employer must establish an alarm system (telephone system, siren) so that employees on the site and local fire department can be alerted for an emergency The alarm code and reporting instructions must be posted in an noticeable location- by telephones & employee entrances

Portable Extinguishers Each 3,000 square feet of protected building area must have an extinguishers with a minimum rating of 2A (substitutions for the 2A: a 55-gal open drum of water w/ 2 pails substitute; a ½” garden hose, 100 ft. long, with a discharge min. of 5 gals/minute) Travel distance must not exceed 100 feet to the nearest extinguisher

Portable Extinguishers 1 or more rated 2A or higher must be located on each floor An extinguisher rated 10B should be within 50 ft. of more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids See Table F-1 on page 147 of 1926 CFR’s

Fire Prevention Ignition Hazards –Electrical equipment and wiring need to comply with Subpart K –Exhausts from internal combustion engines should not contact combustible materials (6” min.) –SMOKING should not be allowed in areas where fire hazards are present. Signs must be posted “No Smoking or Open Flame”

Open Yard Storage Combustible materials should be piled no higher than 20 feet and no closer than 10 from a building. Driveways around & between materials shall be at least 15 feet wide, clean (unobstructed), and growth of weeds and grass should be controlled.

Indoor Storage Storage should not block a “Means of Egress” Materials should be stored, handled and piled according to their fire characteristics Non-compatible materials must be separated by a 1-hour rated fire resistant barrier 36” must be maintained between the top of material and automatic sprinkler system

Flammable & Combustible Liquids ONLY approved containers and portable tanks must be used Do not store in areas used for exists or stairways No more than 25 gallons can be stored in a room outside of an approved storage cabinet – for definition see 29 CFR (pg 146) No more than 60 gals of flammable or 120 gals of combustible liquid should be stored in 1 cabinet. No more than 3 cabinets can be in one area

Storage Outside Buildings Storage of containers (< 60 gals each) must not exceed 1,100 gallons in any one pile. Space between piles needs to be at least 5 ft. Piles/storage areas must not be within 20 feet of a building Areas should be graded to divert spills away from any structures

Portable Extinguishes Needed Storage rooms w/ 60 or more gals need a 20-B or better extinguisher located within 10 ft. from door Outside storage of flammable liquid requires 20-B extinguisher more than 25’ & less than 75’ away Extinguisher w/ 20-B:C units must be on every vehicle transporting or dispensing flammable or combustible liquids.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas LP-Gas must be in approved containers and have approved accessories LP- Gas may NOT be stored within buildings If stored outside of buildings, depending on the amount, it must be located a specific distance away from buildings (see Table F-3 on page 239 of CFR) All storage locations must have a minimum of a 20-B:C portable fire extinguisher

Temporary Heating Devices All temporary heating devices must have adequate ventilation Such devices must maintain minimum clearances as seen in Table F-4 of 29 CFR (page 156) Solid fuel salamanders are prohibited in buildings and on scaffolds

References Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926, Subtitle B - Regulations Relating to Labor, Chapter XVII - Occupational Safety and Health Administration. CCH (2008) with Amendments as of January 2008 Goetsch, D.L. (2003) Construction Safety and Health. Pearson Education Inc. Prentice Hall.