1. Egress and Fire Protection
MODULE 17

2. Egress and Fire Protection
What could make employees need to escape quickly?
What are the typical escape routes?
What precautions are taken for fire protection and prevention?

3. Regulations 29 CFR 1910 Subparts E and L
29 CFR 1926 Subpart F – construction
API RP 54
Section 7: Fire Protection and Prevention
6.10: Auxiliary Escape
9.3.10: At least 2 stairways on a drilling rig

4. Exit Routes, EAPs, and FPPs
29 CFR 1910 Subpart E

5. 1910.34 Coverage Every employer is covered: Exit routes
through apply to workplaces in general industry
Except mobile workplaces such as vehicles or vessels
Exit routes
Emergency action plans

6. (c) Definitions
Exit: that portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.
Exit access: that portion of an exit route that leads to an exit.
Exit discharge: the part of the exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside.

7. (c) Definitions
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:
The exit access;
The exit; and,
The exit discharge.
Equivalent to “Means of Egress” in the Life Safety Code and most local building and fire codes

8. 1910.35 Compliance with NFPA 101-2000, Life Safety Code
Compliance with the exit route provisions of NFPA will be deemed to be in compliance with the corresponding requirements in § § , ,
NFPA

9. Design and Construction Requirements for Exit Routes
29 CFR
Design and Construction Requirements for Exit Routes

10. 1910.36(a)(1) Basic Requirement
An exit route must be a permanent part of the workplace
Eat at Ma’s
Place
No ropes or rope ladders

11. 1910.36(a)(2) Exit separated by fire resistant materials
Construction materials used to separate an exit from other parts of the workplace:
1 hour resistance 3 stories
2 hours resistance 4 stories
1 hour 2 hours

12. 1910.36(a)(3) Openings into an exit must be limited
Openings into an exit: limited to those necessary to allow access to the exit
Each opening must be protected by an approved self-closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency

13. 1910.36(b) The number of exit routes must be adequate
At least 2 routes must be available
Except for sufficiently small occupancy – see (b)(3)
As far away from each other as practical in case one is blocked by fire or smoke
More than 2 required if all cannot evacuate through 2 exit routes
Life Safety Code can help with this determination

14. (c)(1) Exit Discharge
Must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside
Exit
Discharge
Offices Storage
Discharge
Exit access
Exit
Fabricating shop

15. (c)(2) Exit Discharge
The street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space to which an exit discharge leads must be large enough to accommodate the building occupants likely to use the exit route

16. 1910.36(c)(3) Exit Discharge EXIT
NOT AN
EXIT
Exit stairs that continue beyond the level of the exit discharge must be interrupted at that level by doors, partitions, or other effective means that clearly indicate the direction of travel leading to the exit discharge

17. 1910.36(d) Exit door must be unlocked
Must be able to open exit route door
From the inside at all times
Without keys, tools, or special knowledge
Panic bar is permissible
No device or alarm that could restrict use of route if device fails
Mental, penal, correctional facilities: exception with constant supervision & plan

18. 1910.36(e)(1) A side-hinged exit door must be used
A side-hinged door must be used to connect any room to an exit route
Must swing out in the direction of exit travel if
room is designed for > 50 people or
room is a high hazard area

19. 1910.36(f) The capacity of an exit route must be adequate
Must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served
See factors for occupant load and capacity in NFPA Life Safety Code - Chapter 7

20. 1910.36(f) The capacity of an exit route must be adequate
Exit route capacity may not decrease toward exit discharge

21. 1910.36(g) Exit minimum height and width requirements
Ceiling at least 7’6”
Any projection from the ceiling  6’8”
Exit access  28 inches wide
Including all objects projecting into route
7-½ ft.
6 ft.- 8 in.

22. 1910.36(h) An outdoor exit route is permitted.
Same minimum height and width
Additional requirements:
Guardrails on unenclosed sides
Covered if snow or ice likely to accumulate
Unless snow removed before hazard
Reasonably straight
Smooth, solid, level walkways
No dead end longer than 20 feet

23. Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
29 CFR
Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes

24. 1910.37(a) The danger to employees must be minimized
Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or decorations
No exit route may lead toward high hazard area, unless shielded

25. 1910.37(a) The danger to employees must be minimized
Exit routes free and unobstructed: No materials/equipment may be placed within exit route
Exit access must not go through a room that can be locked
Safeguards must be kept in working order

26. 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate
Exit routes adequately lighted
Clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit"
No decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of exit route door

27. 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate
If the direction of travel to the exit is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit
Line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times
Way to exit is
not apparent

28. 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate
Each doorway or passage 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)

29. 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate
Each exit sign must be illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color
The word "Exit" in plainly legible letters 6”
Letters 3/4 inch thick

30. 1910.37(d) Exit routes during construction, repairs, or alterations
Employees must not occupy a workplace until the exit routes are ready in occupied portion

31. 1910.37(d) Exit routes during construction, repairs, or alterations
Employees must not be exposed to hazards from construction activities that are beyond the normal permissible conditions, or that would impede exiting the workplace

32. (e) Alarm system
Alarm system must be installed and maintained in operable condition
To warn of fire or other emergencies
Unless employees can promptly see or smell fire or hazard in time
Must comply with (in Subpart L)

33. Emergency Action Plans
29 CFR
Emergency Action Plans

34. 1910.38 Emergency action plans (EAP)
In writing
Kept in the workplace
Available to employees for review
Employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees

35. 1910.38(c) Minimum elements of an emergency action plan
Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency
Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments
Procedures for employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before evacuating

36. 1910.38(c) Minimum elements of an emergency action plan
Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation
Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties
Name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan

37. Alarms, training, review
Alarm system must use distinctive signals for each purpose, comply with
Designate and train employees to assist in safe, orderly evacuation of others
Review of EAP with each employee:
When plan developed or employee assigned
When employee’s responsibilities under the plan change
When the plan changes

38. 29 CFR
Fire Prevention Plans

39. 1910.39(b) Written and oral fire prevention plans
Any required fire prevention plan must:
Must be in writing,
Be kept in the workplace, and
Be made available to employees for review
Employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees

40. 1910.39(c)(1) Minimum elements of a fire prevention plan
List of all major fire hazards
Proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials
Potential ignition sources and their control
Type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard

41. 1910.39(c)(1) Minimum elements of a fire prevention plan, cont’d
Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste
Maintenance procedures for safeguards on heat-producing equipment to prevent ignition of combustible materials
Name or title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires
Name or title of employees responsible for control of fuel source hazards

42. 1910.39(e) 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.

43. 29 CFR Subpart L
Fire Protection

44. Organization of 1910 Subpart L
155 Scope, application, definitions
156 Fire brigades
157 Portable fire extinguishers
158 Standpipe and hose systems
159 Automatic sprinkler systems
Fixed extinguishing systems
164 Fire detection systems
165 Employee alarm systems

45. Scope, Application, and Definitions
29 CFR
Scope, Application, and Definitions

46. Scope and Application
Fire brigades, fire suppression equipment, fire detection systems, alarm systems
Applies to all employments except maritime, construction, and agriculture

47. Definitions Class A fire: Ordinary combustible materials Class B fire:
Paper
Wood
Cloth
Some rubber and plastic.
Class B fire:
Flammable or combustible liquids
Flammable gases
Greases
Some rubber and plastic

48. Definitions Class C fire: Energized electrical equipment
Employee safety requires nonconductive extinguishing media
Class D fire: Combustible metals
Magnesium
Titanium
Zirconium
Sodium
Lithium
Potassium

49. Definitions
Dry chemical: small particles of chemicals supplemented for dryness and flow
Bicarbonates
Potassium chloride
Monoammonium phosphate
Dry powder: compound used to extinguish or control Class D fires

50. Definitions Enclosed structure:
Has a roof or ceiling and at least 2 walls
May accumulate smoke, toxic gases and heat
Foam: Bubbles form a blanket over liquid, sealing combustible vapors
Gaseous agent: Diffuses uniformly to extinguish fires

51. 29 CFR
Fire Brigades

52. Scope and Application Organization, training, PPE
Fire brigades established by employer
Industrial fire departments
Private or contractual fire departments
PPE requirements only apply to interior structural firefighting

53. Organization and Training
Organizational statement available
Physical capability
No heart disease, epilepsy, or emphysema without physician’s certificate of fitness
Training and education
Beforehand and frequently enough
Examples of quality training programs
Special hazards and written procedures

54. Firefighting Equipment
Maintain and inspect at least annually
Portable fire extinguishers and respirators: inspect at least monthly
Remove and replace unserviceable or damaged equipment

55. Protective clothing For interior structural firefighting
Not required for incipient stage firefighting
Provide at no cost and assure use
Protect head, body, and extremities
Foot and leg protection
Body protection
Hand protection
Head, eye, and face protection

56. Respiratory protection devices
Provided to and used by fire brigade members
Meet as well
SCBA requirements

57. Portable Fire Extinguishers
29 CFR
Portable Fire Extinguishers

58. Scope and application Placement, use, maintenance, testing
For portable fire extinguishers to be used by employees inside structures
(e) and (f) only if not for employee use
Partial exemptions:
Policy requiring total evacuation; FPP and EAP; extinguishers not present
Only designated employees authorized

59. General requirements Provide, mount, locate and identify
Readily accessible to employees without possible injury
Only approved fire extinguishers
No carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane extinguishers
Maintain fully charged and operable in designated places

60. Selection and distribution
Based on fire classes, size of hazard
Class A: 75 ft. travel distance to extinguisher, or standpipe
Class B: 50 ft. travel distance to extinguisher
Class C: Based on pattern for Class A/B
Class D: 75 ft. travel distance to extinguishing agent

61. Fire Extinguisher Classes

62. Inspection, maintenance, and testing
Portable extinguishers or hose visually inspected monthly
Annual maintenance check – record available
Maintenance 6 years after recharge or hydrostatic test for dry chemical extinguishers with 12-year hydrostatic test requirements
Alternate equivalent protection during maintenance/recharging

63. Hydrostatic testing
Performed by trained persons with suitable testing equipment and facilities
Test interval given for various types of extinguishers
Tested when new evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury
Details for various types

64. Training and education
If employees are to use fire extinguishers, the employer must educate them on principles and hazards
EAP-designated employees trained on appropriate equipment
Upon employment and at least annually

65. Standpipe and hose systems
For smaller systems – not Class I
Protected against mechanical damage
Repaired promptly if damaged
Equipment: designed for prompt use
Water supply: minimum 100 gal/min
Tests and maintenance

66. 1910.159-163: Sprinklers and Fixed Extinguishing Systems
Sprinklers – only if required by OSHA
Fixed extinguishing systems
Discharge alarms and safeguards
Inspection and maintenance
PPE for rescue of employees trapped
Dry chemical
Gaseous agent
Water spray and foam

67. Fire detection systems
Restore to normal condition ASAP after each test or alarm – spares available
Maintenance and testing
Protect from corrosion, physical impact
Do not support by wires or tubing
Designed to operate in time, provide a warning
Delay only if necessary for immediate safety

68. Employee alarm systems
All local fire alarm signaling systems used to alert employees
Enough warning for emergency action of safe escape
Perceived above ambient noise/light
Tactile devices when necessary
Distinctive and recognizable

69. Employee alarm systems
Explain to each employee how to report emergencies
Establish procedures for emergency alarm
Restore to normal condition ASAP after each test or alarm – spares available

70. Employee alarm systems
Maintain in operating condition except during repairs or maintenance
Test for reliability/adequacy every 2 months if unsupervised
Back-up means of alarm when out of service
Supervised systems notify personnel of deficiencies – test once/year

71. Employee alarm systems
Manually operated actuation devices (fire alarm pulls)
Unobstructed
Conspicuous
Readily accessible

72. Fire Protection on Oil and Gas Well Sites
API RP 54
Fire Protection on Oil and Gas Well Sites

73. API RP 54 Requirements
Drilling rigs: at least 4 20-pound capacity, Class BC rated fire extinguishers
Well servicing rigs: at least 2 20-pound capacity, Class BC rated fire extinguishers
Available near all welding
Firefighting equipment also includes water hoses and drilling fluid guns