Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-24 - General safety and health standards › Part G-2 - FIRE PROTECTION › Section 296-24-58503 - Scope, application and definitions applicable

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) This section contains requirements for fire brigades, and
				  all portable and fixed fire suppression equipment, fire detection systems, and
				  fire or employee alarm systems installed to meet the fire protection
				  requirements of this chapter.
(2)
Application.
This section applies to all
				  employments except for maritime, construction and agriculture.
(3)
Definitions applicable to this
				  section.
After flame.
The time a test specimen continues
				  to flame after the flame source has been removed.
Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).
A fluorinated
				  surfactant with a foam stabilizer which is diluted with water to act as a
				  temporary barrier to exclude air from mixing with the fuel vapor by developing
				  an aqueous film on the fuel surface of some hydrocarbons which is capable of
				  suppressing the generation of fuel vapors.
Approved.
Acceptable to the director under the
				  following criteria:
-If it is accepted, or certified, or listed, or labeled or
				  otherwise determined to be safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory;
				  or
-With respect to an installation or equipment of a kind which
				  no nationally recognized testing laboratory accepts, certifies, lists, labels,
				  or determines to be safe, if it is inspected or tested by another federal
				  agency and found in compliance with the provisions of the applicable National
				  Fire Protection Association Fire Code; or
- With respect to custom-made equipment or related
				  installations which are designed, fabricated for, and intended for use by its
				  manufacturer on the basis of test data which the employer keeps and makes
				  available for inspection to the director; and
-
For the purposes of (c) of this
				  subsection:
-Equipment is listed if it is of a kind mentioned in a list
				  which is published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory which makes
				  periodic inspections of the production of such equipment and which states that
				  such equipment meets nationally recognized standards or has been tested and
				  found safe for use in a specified manner;
-Equipment is labeled if there is attached to it a label,
				  symbol, or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory
				  which makes periodic inspections of the production of such equipment and whose
				  labeling indicates compliance with nationally recognized standards or tests to
				  determine safe use in a specified manner;
- Equipment is accepted if it has been inspected and found by
				  a nationally recognized testing laboratory to conform to specified plans or to
				  procedures of applicable codes;
-Equipment is certified if it has been tested and found by a
				  nationally recognized testing laboratory to meet nationally recognized
				  standards or to be safe for use in a specified manner or is of a kind whose
				  production is periodically inspected by a nationally recognized testing
				  laboratory, and if it bears a label, tag, or other record of certification;
				  and
-Refer to federal regulation
				  29 C.F.R.
				  1910.7 for definition of nationally
				  recognized testing laboratory.
Automatic fire detection device.
A device
				  designed to automatically detect the presence of fire by heat, flame, light,
				  smoke or other products of combustion.
Buddy-breathing device.
An accessory to
				  self-contained breathing apparatus which permits a second person to share the
				  same air supply as that of the wearer of the apparatus.
Carbon dioxide.
A colorless, odorless,
				  electrically non-conductive inert gas (chemical formula
				  CO2) that is a medium for extinguishing fires by
				  reducing the concentration of oxygen or fuel vapor in the air to the point
				  where combustion is impossible.
Class A fire.
A fire involving ordinary
				  combustible materials such as paper, wood, cloth, and some rubber and plastic
				  materials.
Class B fire.
A fire involving flammable
				  liquids, flammable gases, greases and similar materials, and some rubber and
				  plastic materials.
Class C fire.
A fire involving energized
				  electrical equipment where safety to the employee requires the use of
				  electrically nonconductive extinguishing media.
Class D fire.
A fire involving combustible
				  metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and
				  potassium.
Dry chemical.
An extinguishing agent composed of
				  very small particles of chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium
				  bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, urea-based potassium bicarbonate, potassium
				  chloride, or monoammo-nium phosphate supplemented by special treatment to
				  provide resistance to packing and moisture absorption (caking) as well as to
				  provide proper flow capabilities. Dry chemical does not include dry
				  powders.
Dry powder.
A compound used to extinguish or
				  control Class D fires.
Education.
The process of imparting knowledge or
				  skill through systematic instruction. It does not require formal classroom
				  instruction.
Enclosed structure.
A structure with a roof or
				  ceiling and at least two walls which may present fire hazards to employees,
				  such as accumulations of smoke, toxic gases and heat similar to those found in
				  buildings.
Extinguisher classification.
The letter
				  classification given an extinguisher to designate the class or classes of fire
				  on which an extinguisher will be effective.
Extinguisher rating.
The numerical rating given
				  to an extinguisher which indicates the extinguishing potential of the unit
				  based on standardized tests developed by Underwriters' Laboratories,
				  Inc.
Fixed extinguishing system.
A permanently
				  installed system that either extinguishes or controls a fire at the location of
				  the system.
Flame resistance.
The property of materials, or
				  combinations of component materials, to retard ignition and restrict the spread
				  of flame.
Foam.
A stable aggregation of small bubbles
				  which flow freely over a burning liquid surface and form a coherent blanket
				  which seals combustible vapors and thereby extinguishes the fire.
Gaseous agent.
A fire extinguishing agent which
				  is in the gaseous state at normal room temperature and pressure. It has low
				  viscosity, can expand or contract with changes in pressure and temperature, and
				  has the ability to diffuse readily and to distribute itself uniformly
				  throughout an enclosure.
Halon 1211.
A colorless, faintly sweet smelling,
				  electrically nonconductive liquefied gas (chemical formula
				  CBrC1F2) which is a medium for extinguishing fires by
				  inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of fuel and oxygen. It is also known as
				  bromochlorodifluoromethane.
Halon 1301.
A colorless, odorless, electrically
				  noncon-ductive gas (chemical formula CBrF3) which is a
				  medium for extinguishing fires by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of
				  fuel and oxygen. It is also known as bromotrifluoromethane.
Helmet.
A head protective device consisting of a
				  rigid shell, energy absorption system and chin strap intended to be worn to
				  provide protection for the head or portions thereof, against impact, flying or
				  falling objects, electric shock, penetration, heat and flame.
Incipient stage fire.
A fire which is in the
				  initial or beginning stage and which can be controlled or extinguished by
				  portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe or small hose systems without
				  the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus.
Industrial fire brigade.
An organized group of
				  employees whose primary employment is other than firefighting who are
				  knowledgeable, trained and skilled in specialized operations based on
				  site-specific hazards present at a single commercial facility or facilities
				  under the same management.
Inspection.
A visual check of fire protection
				  systems and equipment to ensure that they are in place, charged, and ready for
				  use in the event of a fire.
Interior structural firefighting.
The physical
				  activity of fire suppression, rescue or both, inside of buildings or enclosed
				  structures which are involved in a fire situation beyond the incipient
				  stage.
Lining.
A material permanently attached to the
				  inside of the outer shell of a garment for the purpose of thermal protection
				  and padding.
Local application system.
A fixed fire
				  suppression system which has a supply of extinguishing agent, with nozzles
				  arranged to automatically discharge extinguishing agent directly on the burning
				  material to extinguish or control a fire.
Maintenance.
The performance of services on fire
				  protection equipment and systems to assure that they will perform as expected
				  in the event of a fire. Maintenance differs from inspection in that maintenance
				  requires the checking of internal fitting, devices and agent supplies.
Multipurpose dry chemical.
A dry chemical which
				  is approved for use on Class A, Class B and Class C fires.
Outer shell.
The exterior layer of material on
				  the fire coat and protective trousers which forms the outermost barrier between
				  the firefighter and the environment. It is attached to the vapor barrier and
				  liner and is usually constructed with a storm flap, suitable closures, and
				  pockets.
Positive-pressure breathing apparatus.
Self-contained breathing apparatus in which the pressure in the breathing zone
				  is positive in relation to the immediate environment during inhalation and
				  exhalation.
Predischarge employee alarm.
An alarm which will
				  sound at a set time prior to actual discharge of an extinguishing system so
				  that employees may evacuate the discharge area prior to system
				  discharge.
Quick disconnect valve.
A device which starts
				  the flow of air by inserting of the hose (which leads from the facepiece) into
				  the regulator of self-contained breathing apparatus, and stops the flow of air
				  by disconnection of the hose from the regulator.
Sprinkler alarm.
An approved device installed so
				  that any waterflow from a sprinkler system equal to or greater than that from
				  single automatic sprinkler will result in an audible alarm signal on the
				  premises.
Sprinkler system.
A system of piping designed in
				  accordance with fire protection engineering standards and installed to control
				  or extinguish fires. The system includes an adequate and reliable water supply,
				  and a network of specially sized piping and sprinklers which are
				  interconnected. The system also includes a control valve and a device for
				  actuating an alarm when the system is in operation.
Standpipe systems:
Class I standpipe system.
A two and
				  one-half-inch (6.3 cm) hose connection for use by fire departments and those
				  trained in handling heavy fire streams.
Class II standpipe system.
A one and one -half-i
				  n ch (3.8 cm) hose system which provides a means for the control or
				  extinguishment of incipient stage fires.
Class III standpipe system.
A combined system of
				  hose which is for the use of employees trained in the use of hose operations
				  and which is capable of furnishing effective water discharge during the more
				  advanced stages of fire (beyond the incipient stage) in the interior of
				  workplaces. Hose outlets are available for both one and one-half-inch (3.8 cm)
				  and two and one-half-inch (6.3 cm) hose.
Small hose system.
A system of hose ranging in
				  diameter from five-eighths-inch (1.6 cm) up to one and one-half-inch (3.8 cm)
				  which is for the use of employees and which provides a means for the control
				  and extinguishment of incipient stage fires.
Total flooding system.
A fixed suppression
				  system which is arranged to automatically discharge a predetermined
				  concentration of agent into an enclosed space for the purpose of fire
				  extinguishment or control.
Training.
The process of making proficient
				  through instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment,
				  including respiratory protection equipment, that is expected to be used in the
				  performance of assigned duties.
Vapor barrier.
That material used to prevent or
				  substantially inhibit the transfer of water, corrosive liquids and steam or
				  other hot vapors from the outside of a garment to the wearer's
				  body.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					  49.17.040. 99-05-080, § 296-24-58503,
					 filed 2/17/99, effective 6/1/99. Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					  49.17.010, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060.
					 95-22-015, § 296-24-58503, filed 10/20/95, effective 1/16/96. Statutory
					 Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-06-068 (Order 93-17), § 296-24-58503,
					 filed 3/2/94, effective 3/1/95; 88-23-054 (Order 88-25), § 296-24-58503,
					 filed 11/14/88; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), § 296-24-58503, filed 11/30/87.
					 Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					  49.17.040 and
					 49.17.050. 82-02-003 (Order
					 81-32), § 296-24-58503, filed
					 12/24/81.