14.3: Fire Protection

Employee Training

OSHA requires that all employees be trained to use fire extinguishers. Training is required upon employment and at least annually thereafter. It is recommended the training session cover how to determine when a fire is too big to handle; what type of extinguisher to use; and the PASS system of early-stage firefighting. It also is recommended that live fire training be conducted periodically (this level of training is not needed each year). Live training exposes employees to the pressure released from a fire extinguisher when the handle is squeezed and provides hands-on practice extinguishing a fire. Some local fire departments and most fire extinguisher suppliers offer this type of training.

Reporting and Extinguishing a Fire

■ The fire department and area supervisor will be notified when a fire is spotted.

■ All workers will be alerted and evacuated as needed.

■ The PASS method will be used to extinguish the fire by those employees who have been properly trained.

■ The area will be evacuated immediately if the fire is large.

Fire Protection

■ Before each project begins, the project manager or designee will contact the local fire department and determine whether any variations from the company’s standard fire-prevention procedures are required.

■ No-smoking signs will be posted in all regulated areas.

■ Only approved containers will be used to store flammable or combustible materials.

■ All containers will be bonded together and grounded when transferring flammable or combustible liquids.

■ All work areas will be kept free of debris and other combustible materials.

Inside company-owned or leased buildings, fire extinguishers will be spaced no more than 100 feet apart and will have no less than a 2A rating for every 3,000 feet of protected building.

■ All employees will be trained on the use of fire extinguishers initially upon hire and annually thereafter.

■ No employee will be permitted to use an extinguisher without having been fully trained.

■ Fire extinguishers will be stored at a distance no greater than 10 feet from torch users.

■ A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 10B, will be provided within 50 feet of the location where more than 5 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids or 5 pounds of a flammable gas are used on a job site.

■ Mops will be “spun out” and placed on a noncombustible surface at the end of each day on projects involving hot bitumen.

■ A fire watch will be posted for two hours after work has concluded for torch-applied roof systems.

Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage

■ No more than 25 gallons of flammable and combustible liquids will be stored outside approved safety cabinets in indoor locations.

■ No more than 60 gallons of flammable liquids will be stored inside an approved safety cabinet in indoor locations.

■ Combustible liquids will not exceed 120-gallon capacity inside approved safety cabinets.

■ The number of approved safety cabinets in one room will not exceed three.

■ Gasoline will not be used as a solvent for cleaning.

■ All containers will be labeled in accordance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard.

■ Buildings or structures containing flammable liquids or gases must be constructed of fire-resistant material.

■ Flammable liquids or gases will be kept away from heat and ignition sources including welding work or any other operation involving flames or sparks.

Handling Flammable Gases

■ LPG cylinders will be placed on a firm foundation and secured in an upright position.

■ All LPG cylinders will be equipped with valve-protection devices.

■ LPG cylinders will not be stored closer than 10 feet to the kettle.

■ LPG cylinders will be placed away from vehicular traffic.

■ LPG cylinders will not be stored inside buildings.

■ Acetylene bottles will be stored in the upright position and secured.

■ When in transport or not in use, acetylene bottles will have caps in place.

■ Oxygen cylinders must be stored at least 20 feet from acetylene cylinders.

Handling Flammable and Combustible Liquids

■ During refueling operations, all engines and motors will be turned off and allowed to cool.

■ Open flames or other ignition sources must be kept at least 50 feet away from flammable or combustible liquids.

■ No smoking will be permitted during the fueling process.

■ Containers being filled will be placed directly on the ground or a grounding strap attached to form a connection to ground.

■ No flammable liquid or gas will be used unless it has been positively identified beforehand.

■ Health and physical hazards will be communicated to employees in accordance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard before the product is used.

■ When flammable liquids and gases are being transported, all Department of Transportation rules will be followed.

Fire Extinguishers

■ In buildings, all fire extinguishers will be mounted on a wall and properly marked.

■ All vehicles will carry at least one ABC-rated extinguisher.

■ When at a job site, all employees will know the location of each fire extinguisher.

■ Before using an extinguisher, all employees will be trained and familiar with the PASS method of firefighting.

■ Each fire extinguisher will be inspected monthly to make sure it is in its designated location and has not been tampered with or actuated.

■ Each fire extinguisher will be clearly visible with nothing obstructing or obscuring it from view.

All fire extinguishers will be examined at least yearly and/or recharged or repaired to ensure operability and safety. A tag must be attached to show the maintenance or recharge date and the signature or initials of the person performing the service.

Employers should train workers about fire hazards in the workplace and about what to do in a fire emergency. When required, employers must develop an emergency action plan that: Describes the routes for workers to use and procedures to follow. Accounts for all evacuated employees. Remains available for employee review. Includes procedures for evacuating disabled employees. Addresses evacuation of employees who stay behind to shut down critical plant equipment. Includes preferred means of alerting employees to a fire emergency. Provides for an employee alarm system throughout the workplace. Requires an alarm system that includes voice communication or sound signals such as bells, whistles, or horns. Makes the evacuation signal known to employees. Ensures the provision of emergency training. Requires employer review of the plan with new employees and with all employees whenever the plan is changed.