**188.1 PURPOSE** To establish comprehensive engineering and design
standards for BPA's Fire Protection Program. Combined with relevant law,
regulations, and case law, this issuance governs management's conduct of
BPA's fire protection program. Consistent with Delegation Order No.
0204-161, signed by the Secretary of Energy on October 7, 1996, this
issuance also exempts BPA from the provisions of any related Department
of Energy issuance, including DOE O 420.1, Facility Safety; and DOE O
440.1, Worker Protection.

**188.2 SCOPE** The provisions of this chapter apply to all BPA offices
and contractors performing work for BPA as provided by law and/or
contract and as implemented by the appropriate contracting officer.
These requirements specifically apply to personnel and property at all
BPA structures.

**188.3 POLICY** Mandatory Fire Protection Criteria, delineated in the
following codes, standards, and other documents, shall be met in the
implementation of the BPA Fire Protection Program. These criteria are
mandatory to maintain compliance with statutory requirements. Where
conflicts in the application of these codes and standards arise, the
more restrictive requirements apply.

**A. Code of Federal Regulations** (CFR) 29, Part 1910

**B. CFR 29,** Part 1926

# C. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes and Standards

**D. Retroactive Application of Codes and Standards:** The fire
protection-related codes and standards in effect when facility design
commences (code of record) remain in effect for the life of the
facility. When modifications of a substantial nature occur, as
determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), the current
edition of the code shall apply to the modification. Exception: If there
is a significant hazard that endangers building occupants or the public,
as determined by the AHJ, the facility shall be upgraded to the
requirements of the current edition of the code or standard.

**188.4 DEFINITIONS**

**A. Acceptable:** When applied to fire safety, \"acceptable\" is a
level of either protection or prevention which the Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ) considers sufficient to achieve the objectives
defined in 188.6. In some instances, it is a level of protection
necessary to meet a code or standard. In other instances it is a level
of protection that deviates (plus or minus) from a code or standard as
necessary and yet adequately protects against the inherent fire hazards.

**B. Equivalency:** The approved alternate means of satisfying the
technical provisions of a fire protection code or standard.

**C. Fire Area:** A location bounded by construction having a minimum
fire resistance rating of 2 hours with openings protected by
appropriately fire-rated doors, dampers, or penetration seals. The
boundaries of exterior fire areas (yard areas) shall be determined by
the AHJ.

**188.4 DEFINITIONS (continued)**

**D. Fire Loss:** The dollar cost of restoring damaged property to its
pre-fire condition. In determining loss, the estimated damage to the
facility and contents shall include replacement cost, less salvage
value. Losses will exclude costs of restoration of

> 1\. Property that is scheduled for demolition
>
> 2\. Property
>
> a\. Decommissioned and not carried on books as a value, or
>
> b\. Where there is no loss potential
>
> 3\. The cost of cleanup, the loss of production or program continuity,
> the auxiliary costs of fire extinguishers, and consequent effects on
> related areas, should be included in all property loss amounts.

**E. Fire Protection:** This broad term encompasses all aspects of fire
safety and includes: building construction and fixed building fire
features, fire suppression and detection systems, fire water systems,
and fire protection engineering. Fire protection is concerned with
preventing or minimizing the direct and indirect consequences of fire.
It also includes aspects of smoke and water damage from fire as they
relate to fire protection.

**F. Fire Protection System:** Any system designed to detect,
extinguish, or limit the extent of fire damage or enhance life safety.
These include:

> 1\. Automatic suppression systems such as fire sprinklers, foam,
> gaseous, explosion suppression, or other specialized extinguishing
> systems plus appropriate alarms. Adequate water supply, storage, and
> distribution systems are essential elements of water-based
> extinguishing systems.
>
> 2\. Automatic fire detection, occupant warning, manual fire alarm, and
> fire alarm reporting systems combined with properly equipped and
> adequately trained fire departments.
>
> 3\. Fire barrier systems or combinations of physical separation and
> barriers for outdoor locations.
>
> 4\. Other systems as approved by the AHJ.

**G. Fire Prevention:** The goal of fire prevention is to prevent the
unwanted fire and resultant destruction of property, lives, and the
interruption of operation. To accomplish this task includes the
following:

> 1\. Emergency fire fighting organizational response (fire departments)

**188.4 DEFINITIONS (continued)**

> 2\. Safe work procedures, maintenance of fire protection systems, and
> safety training of employees and contractors

**H. Maximum Credible Fire Loss (MCFL):** The property damage that would
be expected from a fire, assuming that

> 1\. All installed fire protection systems function as designed
>
> 2\. The effect of emergency response is omitted except for post-fire
> actions such as salvage work, shutting down water systems, and
> restoring operation

**I. Maximum Possible Fire Loss (MPFL):** The value of property,
excluding land, within a fire area, unless a fire hazard analysis
demonstrates a lesser (or greater) loss potential. This assumes the
failure of both automatic fire suppression systems and manual fire
fighting efforts.

**J. Property:** All BPA-owned or -leased structures and contents for
which BPA has responsibility, including

> 1\. All BPA land, structures, and contents
>
> 2\. All leased locations
>
> 3\. All other Government property on BPA land or in BPA structures
>
> 4\. Other personnel and property that occupy BPA land or are in BPA
> structures

**K. Qualified Fire Protection Engineer:** A graduate of an accredited
engineering curriculum and having completed not less than 4 years of
engineering practice, 3 of which shall have been in responsible charge
of diverse fire protection engineering work. If not such a graduate, a
qualified engineer shall either: demonstrate a knowledge of the
principles of engineering and have completed not less than 6 years
engineering practice, 3 of which shall have been in responsible charge
of diverse fire protection engineering projects; be a registered
professional engineer in fire protection; or, meet the requirements for
a Grade 11 or higher Fire Protection Engineer as defined by Human
Resources.

**L. Related Perils:** Aspects of smoke and water damage as they relate
to fire protection.

**M. Risk:** A term used to describe the overall potential for loss.

**N. Vital Program:** A BPA program so defined by the Chief Executive
Officer or her/his designee. Also, refer to *BPA Reliability Criteria
Handbook*.

**188.5 OBJECTIVES**

**A. Minimize the potential for the occurrence of a fire.**

**B. Ensure that a fire does not** cause an unacceptable on-site or
off-site release of hazardous material that may threaten public health
and safety or the environment.

**C. Establish** requirements that provide an acceptable degree of life
safety to BPA and contractor personnel, and to the public from fire in
BPA facilities.

**D. Ensure that vital BPA programs do not** suffer unacceptable delays
as a result of fire. Refer to *BPA Reliability Criteria Handbook*.

**E. Ensure that property damage from** fire does not exceed an
acceptable level.

**188.6 RESPONSIBILITIES**

**A. The Transmission Business Line** shall provide for the design and
implementation of fire protection systems for new construction as well
as modification of existing facilities which meet the applicable codes
for occupant and building safety.

**B. The Safety office** will have oversight of all fire prevention
policies and practices that would affect employee safety and hazards to
facilities and contents. The Safety office will establish and maintain a
system to assure that the BPA Fire Protection Program is documented.

**188.7 PROCEDURES**

**A. Automatic Fire Protection:** Complete automatic fire suppression
systems designed in accordance with applicable NFPA standards shall be
provided as follows:

> 1\. In all new structures over 5,000 square feet, except leased
> structures
>
> 2\. In all structures having an MPFL in excess of \$1 million or where
> the maximum credible fire will result in losing the use of a vital
> structure for a period longer than that specified as being acceptable
> by the Transmission Business Line

**B. Fire Protection Water Supply:** An automatic water supply for fire
protection having a minimum of 2 hours stored water capacity shall be
maintained. Municipal supplies having the same capability are
acceptable. Facilities having a MPFL in excess of \$50 million shall be
provided with an additional, independent source of fire protection
water.

> 1\. A water supply dedicated for fire protection may be necessary as
> determined by the Transmission Business Line. A dedicated system shall
> be able to meet hose stream and sprinkler system demands.

**188.7 PROCEDURES (continued)**

> 2\. A combined fire and process/domestic system shall be able to
> deliver the fire demand plus the maximum daily domestic demand for the
> required duration.

**C. Underground Piping:** Mains shall be sized for the largest fire
flows anticipated, but in no case shall be less than 8 inches in
diameter. Supply piping to individual fire sprinkler systems shall be at
least as large as the fire sprinkler system riser.

**D. Liquid Run-Off Control:** Natural or artificial means of
controlling liquid run off from a credible fire shall be provided so
that contaminated or polluted liquids will not escape the site,
including potentially contaminated water resulting from fire-fighting
operations. The amount of fire water that must be controlled and the
design of the containment system shall be determined based on
consultations with the cognizant BPA fire protection engineer.

**E. Fire Alarm Systems:** Where fire suppression or fire alarm systems
are provided, local alarms and alarm transmission to an acceptable
remote attended location shall be provided.

**F. Impairment Control:** A fire protection system impairment program
shall be provided for control of operations and tracking of impairments
during periods when fire protection systems are out of service.

**G. Administrative Features of the Program**

> 1\. Fire Prevention Procedures: Facilities shall have procedures
> governing the use and storage of combustible, flammable, and hazardous
> materials so as to minimize the risk from fire. Such procedures shall
> also exist for activities such as smoking, hot work, and other fire
> prevention measures which contribute to the decrease in fire risk.
>
> 2\. Assessment Results Tracking Program: There shall be a program to
> identify, prioritize, and monitor the status of fire
> protection-related assessment findings/recommendations until
> resolution is achieved. Resolution could be achieved by either: plant
> modification, procedure change, fire safety equivalency, or exemption.
>
> 3\. Interim Compensatory Measures: When final resolution of a
> finding/recommendation will be significantly delayed because of
> funding, scheduling, or other considerations, appropriate interim
> compensatory measures (e.g., fire watches, fire patrols, enhanced
> hazard control procedures, temporary fire protection features) shall
> be implemented to minimize the fire risk.

4.  Operability Specifications: Minimum requirements to establish
    \"operability\" shall be developed for fire protection features such
    as: fire doors, fire dampers, fire detection and suppression
    systems, fire protection water supplies, etc. Periodic tests
    conducted to satisfy the applicable NFPA codes and standards shall
    confirm that these features are operable. If fire protection will be
    inoperable for a significant period of time, interim compensatory
    measures shall be implemented until operability is restored.

> 5\. Emergency Planning: Information from the fire protection program
> shall be incorporated in the Emergency Plan. The facility fire
> protection organization shall be involved in the development of the
> Emergency Plan and in all related training and drills.
>
> 6\. Training: Training shall be provided for the individuals within
> the fire protection organization, the fire department, and any other
> people with responsibilities for fire safety. Training programs shall
> reflect the criteria contained in the mandatory codes and standards
> listed above, and shall reflect site-specific considerations.

**H. Contractors:** As directed by the contracting officer, contractors
shall provide and maintain a level of fire protection and participate in
BPA Fire Protection programs and file appropriate fire protection plans
required by other Federal or state agencies.

**188.8 REFERENCES:** The following references contain additional
criteria and guidelines pertaining to the BPA Fire Protection Program

**A. American Petroleum Institute Guidelines**

**B. Factory Mutual Loss Prevention Data Sheets**

**C. Factory Mutual Research Corporation Approval Guide (FM)**

**D. DOE Explosives Safety Manual, DOE/M440.1-1**

**E. Local and state fire protection criteria**

**F. NFPA handbooks, guides, manuals, and recommended practices**

**G. Product Directories of Underwriters Laboratories** (UL), together
with periodic UL supplements

**H. *Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Handbook***