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 AppearanceSource: 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 HumansProduct Fuels Pathology

Acrolein Cellulose, fatty substances,woods and pa ints

Highly toxic irr itant to eyesand respiratory system

Ammonia (N H3) Wool, silk, nylon, melamine,refrigerants, hydrogen- nitrogencompounds

Somewhat toxic irr itant toeyes and respiratory system

Carbon D ioxide (CO2) All carbon and organiccompounds

Not toxic, but depletesavailable oxygen

Carbon Monoxide (CO) All carbon and organiccompounds

Can be deadly

Hydrogen Chloride ( HCN) Wool, silk, nylon, paper,polyurethane, rubber, leather,plastic, wood

Quickly lethal asphyxiant

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Sulfur-containing compounds,rubber, crude oil

Highly toxic gas. Strong odorof rotten eggs, but quicklydestroys sense of smell

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Cellulose nitrate, celluloid,textiles, other nitrogen oxides

Lung irr itant, causing deathor damage

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Sulfur and sulfur-containingcompounds

Toxic irritant

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 Programs1926.150

• 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 Prevention1926.151

• 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

1926.152

• 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 1926.152 (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 Gas1926.153

• 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 Devices1926.154

• All temporary heating devices must have adequate ventilation

• Such devices must maintain minimum clearances as seen in Table F-4 of 29 CFR 1926.154 (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.