Subpart F

1
Subpart F

• Fire Protection and Prevention

2
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

3
Topics cont

• 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)

4
The Fire Triangle
All 3 elements are required to start and sustain
a fire
5
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)

6
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

7
Types cont

• 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
  dont have ratings and are not given a
  multi-purpose rating to use on other types of
  fires

8
Types cont

• Multi-Class ratings (Dry Chemicalsodium 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

9
Extinguisher Labeling Appearance
Source Terry Branch, USM Fire Safety Inspector,
2003
10
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

11
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.

12
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
Source Terry Branch, USM Fire Safety Inspector,
2003
See Fig 8-4 on page 209 for additional
information about ratings
13
Fire Danger to Humans
Source R.Bergeron, GP Fire Brigade Info Manual,
2003
14
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

15
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

16
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

17
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

18
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 CFRs

19
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

20
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.

21
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

22
Flammable Combustible Liquids1926.152

• 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

23
Storage Outside Buildings

• Storage of containers (lt 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

24
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-BC units must be on every
  vehicle transporting or dispensing flammable or
  combustible liquids.

25
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-BC portable fire extinguisher

26
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

27
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.