Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 437 - DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES, OREGON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DIVISION › Division 2 - GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RULES › Section 437-002-0187 - Portable Fire Extinguishers

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
This rule applies to portable fire extinguishers not in
				vehicles or vessels.
NOTE
: The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal and
				your local fire marshal also have rules that apply to portable fire
				extinguishers.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
:
To assure that you provide functional extinguishers and your
				employees know when and how to use them safely.
If another Oregon rule requires you to provide fire
				extinguishers, the following exemptions do not apply to you.
EXEMPTIONS
:
You are exempt from these rules if:
Your portable fire extinguishers are not accessible to
				employees.
AND
You have a written fire safety policy that requires the
				immediate and total evacuation of employees in the event of fire.
NOTE
: This fire safety policy is not the same as
				your emergency action plan and fire prevention plan.
AND
You have an emergency action plan and fire prevention plan that
				conform to OAR
				437-002-0042 and
				437-002-0043.
PARTIAL EXEMPTION
:
If extinguishers are present and accessible, but you do not
				intend employees to use them, AND you have an emergency action plan and fire
				prevention plan that meet OAR
				437-002-0042 and
				437-002-0043,
				then only paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 apply.
See Non-mandatory Appendix A -- Summary of exemptions and rule
				requirements for
				437-002-0187.
				[Appendix not included. See ED. NOTE.]
Definitions
Accessible -- capable of being reached without hindrance.
Inspection -- A quick check that the extinguisher has not been
				activated and has no damage or condition that would make it ineffective. This
				includes a check of the gauge or pressure indicator, if there is one.
Maintenance -- A thorough examination for damage or conditions
				that would make internal examination or hydrostatic testing necessary more
				frequently than in Table 2 or 3. [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
(1) If you provide extinguishers
You must:
Never provide or allow the use of extinguishers with dangerous
				or banned agents like carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane.
Never provide or allow the use of soda-acid foam, loaded
				stream, anti-freeze and water (inverting type) extinguishers. (See the latest
				NFPA 10 for a complete list of obsolete or banned extinguishers.)
EXEMPTION
: You are exempt from the maximum travel
				distance requirements in Table 1 of this rule if you have an emergency action
				plan that complies with OAR
				437-002-0042,
				designating which employees are authorized to use the available fire
				extinguishers and requiring all other employees to evacuate.
Provide and place the correct type and size fire extinguisher
				according to Table 1. This only applies to extinguishers for use inside
				buildings.
Table 1 [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
Mount extinguishers in a manner appropriate for their type and
				location.
Not allow extinguishers to sit on the floor, shelves or
				furniture.
Use appropriate signs or other unique markings to identify
				extinguisher locations.
Never block access to extinguishers.
(2) Inspection and maintenance
You must:
Visually inspect each extinguisher monthly.
Be sure the extinguishers have a full charge and no defects
				that prevent effective use.
Remove and replace any extinguisher that is not fully operable.
Complete annual maintenance on each extinguisher using only
				persons or companies acceptable to your local fire authorities.
Keep a record of the annual maintenance until replaced by a new
				record. The record must be available to OR-OSHA on request.
Provide replacement extinguishers or some method of coverage
				for the effected area while extinguishers are out of service for the
				maintenance check.
Do internal examinations at intervals not longer than the
				requirements set in Table 2, using only persons or companies acceptable to
				local fire authorities.
Nonrechargeable extinguishers are good for 12 years from the
				date of manufacture and then must be taken out of service.
Table 2 [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
NOTE
: Nonrechargeable extinguishers do not require
				internal examinations or hydrostatic testing.
(3) Hydrostatic testing
You must:
Assure a hydrostatic test of each extinguisher at intervals in
				Table 3 or when the extinguisher shows corrosion or physical damage.
Use only persons or companies acceptable to local fire
				authorities to do hydrostatic testing.
Empty and do applicable maintenance every six years on stored
				pressure extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test. This six-year
				requirement begins again after recharging or hydrostatic testing.
Table 3 [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
Keep a record of the hydrostatic test until it is replaced by a
				new record or the extinguisher is no longer in use. The record must have at
				least the date of test, test pressure, serial number of the extinguisher (or
				other unique identifier), and the person or company doing the test.
(4) Employee training
You must:
Train employees in the safe use of extinguishers and standpipe
				hoses when you require or allow their use. Training must be at first hiring and
				then annually and must include:
The general methods and tactics of using an extinguisher.
The hazards of using an extinguisher on early stage fires.
Hazards associated with using standpipe hoses.
Tables & Appendicies referenced are available from the
				  agency.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) & 656.726(4)
Stat. Implemented: ORS 654.001 - 654.295