Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-36 - Safety standards - Compressed air work › Section 296-36-190 - Fire prevention and firefighting

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
General.
Every building and
			 every flammable structure above ground and all places underground shall be
			 within easy range of firefighting equipment, which shall at all times be
			 maintained in proper working conditions and ready for use.
(2)
Smoking.
No person shall
			 smoke or carry lighted smoking materials in compressed air. No matches,
			 mechanical or chemical igniters will be permitted in the working chamber except
			 those necessary for welding or flame cutting operations.
(3)
Welding or flame cutting.
While welding or flame cutting is being done in compressed air, a
			 watchman with a fire hose or approved extinguisher shall stand by until such
			 operation is completed. Acetylene shall not be used in compressed air at
			 acetylene pressure exceeding 15 pounds per square inch gage, or 30 pounds per
			 square inch absolute.
(4)
Fire hose.
Fire hose shall be at least 1-1/2 inches in nominal
			 diameter; the water pressure shall at all times be adequate for efficient
			 operation of the type of nozzle used; and the water supply shall be such as to
			 insure an uninterrupted flow. Fire hose when not in use shall be so located or
			 guarded to prevent injury thereto.
Every power house, compressor house and every building housing
				ventilating equipment shall be provided with at least one hose connection in
				the water line with the fire hose connected thereto. A fire hose shall be
				maintained within easy reach of structures of wood over or near shafts.
(5)
Shafts and caissons.
Every shaft and every caisson containing flammable material of any kind,
			 either above or below ground, shall be provided with a water line and a fire
			 hose connected thereto, so arranged that all points of the shaft or caisson are
			 within easy reach of the hose stream.
(6)
Tunnels.
Every tunnel shall
			 be provided with a water line extending into the working chamber and to within
			 100 feet of the working face. Such lines shall have hose outlets with 100 feet
			 of fire hose properly attached and maintained as follows: One at the working
			 face, one immediately inside of the bulkhead of the working chamber, and one
			 immediately outside such bulkhead. In addition, hose outlets shall be provided
			 at 200-foot intervals throughout the length of the tunnel and 100 feet of fire
			 hose shall be attached to the outlet nearest to any location where flammable
			 material is being kept or stored or where any flame is being used.
(7)
Fire extinguishers.
In
			 addition to required fire hose protection, on every floor of every building
			 used in connection with compressed air work, there shall be provided at least
			 one extinguisher of adequate size approved for the class of hazard involved,
			 except that extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride or methyl bromide
			 shall not be used. Extinguishers shall be so located as to be readily available
			 and protected from damage.
Note:
For additional requirements relating to portable fire
							 extinguishers see WAC
							 296-800-300.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				  49.17.010, [49.17].040, and[49.17].050 .
				  01-17-033, § 296-36-190, filed 8/8/01, effective 9/1/01; Rules (Part XVI),
				  filed 12/28/62; § 7, filed
				  3/23/60.