Safety & Health Consultation Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, and Fire Protection

Safety & Health Consultation 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

N UMBER OF S ERIOUS V IOLATIONS – FY CFR 1910 S UBPARTS M EANS OF E GRESS [ – 39] 3 E XIT R OUTES F REE & U NOBSTRUCTED E XIT M ARKING E XIT R OUTE U NLOCKED E XITS – M INIMUM 28 I NCHES W IDE E XIT R OUTE S IGNS SUBPART E

Safety & Health Consultation Exit Route A continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety (including refuge areas) Consists of three parts: –Exit access –Exit –Exit discharge

Safety & Health Consultation Exit Routes Basic Requirements Exit routes must be permanent and there must be enough exits in the proper arrangement for quick escape Exits must be separated by fire- resistant materials (a) (b)

Safety & Health Consultation Exit Routes Basic Requirements Openings into an exit must be limited to those necessary to allow access to the exit or to the exit discharge An opening into an exit must be protected by an approved self- closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency (a) (b)

Safety & Health Consultation Exit Discharge Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside that is large enough to accommodate all building occupants likely to use the exit route (c)

Safety & Health Consultation Exit Discharge Exit stairs that continue beyond the level on which the exit discharge is located must be interrupted on that level by doors, partitions, or other effective means that clearly indicate the direction of travel to the exit discharge (c)(3)

Exit Route Design Must be: –Unlocked and unrestricted –Side-hinged –Adequate capacity and height –Must meet height and width requirements –Outdoor exit route permitted Safety & Health Consultation (d) – (h)

Unlocked and Unrestricted Must be able to open door from inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge. –Panic bars that lock from the outside are permitted. Must be free of device or alarm that could restrict emergency use if device or alarm fails. May be locked from inside in mental, penal, or correctional facilities. –And only if supervisory personnel are continuously on duty and their is an emergency plan. Safety & Health Consultation (d)

Unlocked and Unrestricted (d)

Safety & Health Consultation Side-Hinged Exit Door Must be used to connect any room to an exit route A door that connects any room to an exit route must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or contains high hazard contents (e)

Safety & Health Consultation Exit Route Capacity and Dimensions Must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served Capacity must not decrease in the direction of exit route travel to the exit discharge Ceiling must be at least 7-½ ft. high with no projection reaching a point less than 6 ft.-8 in. from floor An exit access must be at least 28 in. wide at all points (f) & (g)

Outdoor Exit Route Have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exists. Covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate along route. Reasonably straight and have smooth, solid, substantially level walkways. Must not have a dead-end that is longer than 20 feet. Safety & Health Consultation (h)

Safety & Health Consultation Minimize Danger to Employees 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 Emergency safeguards (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting) must be in proper working order at all times Obstructed exit route (a)

Exit Route Maintenance and Safeguards Danger to employees minimized. Adequate and appropriate lighting and marking. Fire retardant properties maintained. Exit routes maintained during construction and repairs. Employee alarm system must be operable. Safety & Health Consultation (a) – (e)

Lighting and Marking Adequately lighted. Clearly visible and marked by a sign reading “Exit”. Free of decorations or signs that obscure visibility of exit. If direction of travel to exit is not apparent, signs must be posted along exit access indicating direction of travel to nearest exit. Safety & Health Consultation (b)

Safety & Health Consultation Exit Marking 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) (b)(5)

Fire Retardant Properties Fire retardant paints or solutions must be renewed as often as necessary to maintain their fire retardant properties. Safety & Health Consultation (c)

Construction and Repairs During new construction, employees must not occupy a workplace until exit routes are completed and ready for employee use. During repairs or alterations, employees must not occupy a workplace unless exit routes are available and existing fire protections are maintained, or until alternate fire protection is furnished. Safety & Health Consultation (d)

Operable Alarm System Install and maintain an operable employee alarm system that has a distinctive signal to warn employees of fire or other emergencies, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time to provide adequate warning to them. Employee alarm system must comply with Safety & Health Consultation (e)

Psychological Hazards Lack of information Panic Confusion

Physical Hazards Fire Toxic vapors Threats Storms Other safer location

Emergency Action Plan An employer must have an emergency action plan whenever an OSHA standard in this part requires one. An emergency action plan (EAP) must be in writing kept at the workplace and available to employees when required. If an employer has 10 or fewer employees, may be communicated verbally. Safety & Health Consultation (a) – (b)

Emergency Action Plan Elements Must have procedures for: –Reporting a fire or other emergency –Emergency evacuation –Employees who operate critical operations –Account for employee post evacuation –Employees performing rescue or medical duties –Name or job title of every employee who may be contacted about the EAP Safety & Health Consultation (c)

Alarm System and Training Maintained and distinctive sounds based on an emergency. Employer must designate and train employees for a safe and orderly evacuation. Employer must review plan with employees: –Development and/or initial hiring –Job change –Plan change Safety & Health Consultation (d) – (e)

Fire Prevention Plan An employer must have a fire prevention plan when an OSHA standard in this part requires one. A fire prevention plan must be in writing, kept at the workplace, and available to employees for review. If an employer has 10 or fewer employees, it may be communicated verbally. Safety & Health Consultation (a) – (b)

Safety & Health Consultation Fire Prevention Plan The plan must include: A list of the major fire hazards and handling, storage, and control procedures Names or job titles of persons responsible for maintenance of equipment and systems to prevent or control ignitions or fires Names or job titles of persons responsible for control of fuel source hazards Training for all employees who have responsibilities in the plan

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. Safety & Health Consultation (d)

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers

N UMBER OF S ERIOUS V IOLATIONS – FY CFR 1910 S UBPARTS F IRE P ROTECTION [ – 165] 31 E XTINGUISHERS – P ROVIDED & A CCESSIBLE E XTINGUISHERS – A NNUAL M AINTENANCE C HECKS E XTINGUISHERS – V ISUAL M ONTHLY I NSPECTIONS SUBPART L E XTINGUISHERS – T RAINING P ROGRAM E XTINGUISHERS – I NITIAL & A NNUAL T RAINING

Safety & Health Consultation Purpose Portable fire extinguishers are used to begin fire extinguishment in the EARLY stages of its development to minimize loss.

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers Exemptions Where the employer has implemented a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of the fire alarm… Has an Emergency Action Plan and Fire Prevention Plan meeting and extinguishers are not provided by the employer… (b)(1)

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers Exemptions Where the employer has an emergency action plan meeting , which designates certain employees authorized to use available fire extinguishers, other employees evacuate, employer is exempt from the distribution requirements (b)(2)

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers Exemptions Where the employer has an emergency action plan meeting , which designates certain employees authorized to use available fire extinguishers, other employees evacuate, employer is exempt from the distribution requirements (b)(2)

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers General Requirements Provide portable fire extinguishers Mount Locate Identify Readily accessible without injury (c)(1)

Safety & Health Consultation Properly Mounted?

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers If portable fire extinguishers are provided for employee use, the employer must mount, locate and identify them so workers can access them without subjecting themselves to possible injury. Blocked extinguisher (c)(1)

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers General Requirements Only approved fire extinguishers shall be used (c)(2)

Portable Fire Extinguishers General Requirements Employer shall not provide or make available in the workplace portable fire extinguishers using: –Carbon tetrachloride, or –Chlorobromomethane extinguishing agents Safety & Health Consultation (c)(3)

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers General Requirements Portable fire extinguishers are maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated places at all times except during use (c)(4)

Safety & Health Consultation Selection and Distribution Distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class A fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 75 feet (d)(2)

Selection and Distribution Employer may use: –Uniformly spaced standpipe systems or hose stations connected to a sprinkler system instead of Class A fire extinguishers. –Systems must provide total coverage of area to be protected and employees must be trained annually in use. Safety & Health Consultation

Selection and Distribution Distribute portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class B fires so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 50 feet or less (d)(4)

Safety & Health Consultation Selection and Distribution The employer shall distribute portable fire extinguishers used for Class C hazards on the basis of the appropriate pattern for existing Class A or Class B hazards (d)

Safety & Health Consultation Selection and Distribution Distribute Class D portable fire extinguishers so that the travel distance from the combustible metal working area to any extinguishing agent is 75 feet (d)(6)

Safety & Health Consultation Classes of Fire Fuels Class “A” - Ordinary combustibles –Wood, paper, cloth, rubber, many plastics –Characteristic - leaves ash Class “B” - Flammable or combustible liquids –Gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil based paint, lacquer, flammable gas A B

Safety & Health Consultation Classes of Fire Fuels Class “C” - Energized electrical equipment –Wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery, appliances Class “D” - Combustible metals –Magnesium C D

Safety & Health Consultation Classes of Fire Fuels Class “K” Cooking materials –Cooking oils, fat, grease K

Safety & Health Consultation Typical Picture Symbols Class “A” –Ordinary Combustibles Class “B” –Burning Liquids/Gases

Safety & Health Consultation Typical Picture Symbols Class “C” –Energized Electrical Equipment Class “K” –Cooking Materials

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers Selection and Distribution Class “A” fire extinguisher – A sh Class “B” fire extinguisher – B oil Class “C” fire extinguisher – C ircuit Class “D” fire extinguisher – D ense Class “K” fire extinguisher - K itchen (d)

Safety & Health Consultation Stored-pressure Water Size –2 1/2 gallon Application –Class A Operating Principle –Air Pressure Range Discharge time ft.1 minute

Safety & Health Consultation Dry Chemical Size – lb. Application –Ordinary Base Classes B & C –Multipurpose Classes A, B, & C Expellent Principle –Stored Pressure or Gas Cartridge

Safety & Health Consultation Dry Chemical Size Range Discharge time (lbs.) (feet) (seconds)

Safety & Health Consultation Carbon Dioxide Size –10 lb. Application –Classes B and C Operating Principle –Liquefied Compressed Gas Range Discharge time ft seconds

Safety & Health Consultation Wet Chemical Size –1.59 gallons Agent Type –Potassium Acetate, Application –Class K Operating Principle –Air Pressure Range Discharge time ft seconds

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers Inspection, Maintenance and Testing Employer responsible Portable fire extinguishers –Annual visual inspection –Maintenance check Record date and retain record for one (1) year after last entry or the life of the shell whichever is less Provide alternate protection when removed from service for maintenance, testing, and recharging (e)

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers Hydrostatic Testing Ensure testing is performed by trained personnel with suitable equipment and facilities Maintain evidence for OSHA of hydrostatic testing with a certification record (f)

Safety & Health Consultation Portable Fire Extinguishers Hydrostatic Testing Stored pressure water 5 years Wet chemical 5 years Dry chemical12 years Carbon dioxide5 years (f)

Training and Education Where employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use –Employer shall provide training on fire extinguisher use and hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. Initially and annually thereafter Safety & Health Consultation (g)(1) – (2)

Training and Education Employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan –Employer shall provide training in use of appropriate equipment to designated group. Initially and annually thereafter Safety & Health Consultation (g)(3) – (4)

Safety & Health Consultation Your Questions?