Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-24 - General safety and health standards › Part G-3 - FIRE SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT › Section 296-24-59215 - Appendix A- Portable fire extinguishers

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
Scope and application.
The
				scope and application of this section is written to apply to three basic types
				of workplaces. First, there are those workplaces where the employer has chosen
				to evacuate all employees from the workplace at the time of a fire emergency.
				Second, there are those workplaces where the employer has chosen to permit
				certain employees to fight fires and to evacuate all other non-essential
				employees at the time of a fire emergency. Third, there are those workplaces
				where the employer has chosen to permit all employees in the workplace to use
				portable fire extinguishers to fight fires.
The section also addresses two kinds of work areas. The
				  entire workplace can be divided into outside (exterior) work areas and inside
				  (interior) work areas. This division of the workplace into two areas is done in
				  recognition of the different types of hazards employees may be exposed to
				  during firefighting operations. Fires in interior workplaces, pose a greater
				  hazard to employees; they can produce greater exposure to quantities of smoke,
				  toxic gases, and heat because of the capability of a building or structure to
				  contain or entrap these products of combustion until the building can be
				  ventilated. Exterior work areas, normally open to the environment, are somewhat
				  less hazardous, because the products of combustion are generally carried away
				  by the thermal column of the fire. Employees also have a greater selection of
				  evacuation routes if it is necessary to abandon firefighting efforts.
In recognition of the degree of hazard present in the two
				  types of work areas, the standards for exterior work areas are somewhat less
				  restrictive in regards to extinguisher distribution. WAC
				  296-800-300 explains this by
				  specifying which sections apply.
(2)
Portable fire extinguisher
				exemptions.
In recognition of the three options given to employers in
				regard to the amount of employee evacuation to be carried out, the standards
				permit certain exemptions based on the number of employees expected to use fire
				extinguishers.
Where the employer has chosen to totally evacuate the
				  workplace at the time of a fire emergency and when fire extinguishers are not
				  provided, the requirements of this section do not apply to that
				  workplace.
Where the employer has chosen to partially evacuate the
				  workplace or the effected area at the time of a fire emergency and has
				  permitted certain designated employees to remain behind to operate critical
				  plant operations or to fight fires with extinguishers, then the employer is
				  exempt from the distribution requirements of this section. Employees who will
				  be remaining behind to perform incipient firefighting or members of a fire
				  brigade must be trained in their duties. The training must result in the
				  employees becoming familiar with the locations of fire extinguishers.
				  Therefore, the employer must locate the extinguishers in convenient locations
				  where the employees know they can be found. For example, they could be mounted
				  in the fire truck or cart that the fire brigade uses when it responds to a fire
				  emergency. They can also be distributed as set forth in the National Fire
				  Protection Association's Standard No. 10, "Portable Fire Extinguishers."
Where the employer has decided to permit all employees in the
				  workplace to use fire extinguishers, then the entire DOSH standard
				  applies.
(3)
Portable
				fire extinguisher mounting.
Previous standards for mounting fire
				extinguishers have been criticized for requiring specific mounting locations.
				In recognition of this criticism, the standard has been rewritten to permit as
				much flexibility in extinguisher mounting as is acceptable to assure that fire
				extinguishers are available when needed and that employees are not subjected to
				injury hazards when they try to obtain an extinguisher.
It is the intent of DOSH to permit the mounting of
				  extinguishers in any location that is accessible to employees without the use
				  of portable devices such as a ladder. This limitation is necessary because
				  portable devices can be moved or taken from the place where they are needed
				  and, therefore, might not be available at the time of an emergency.
Employers are given as much flexibility as possible to assure
				  that employees can obtain extinguishers as fast as possible. For example, an
				  acceptable method of mounting extinguishers in areas where fork lift trucks or
				  tow-motors are used is to mount the units on retractable board which, by means
				  of counterweighting, can be raised above the level where they could be struck
				  by vehicular traffic. When needed, they can be lowered quickly for use. This
				  method of mounting can also reduce vandalism and unauthorized use of
				  extinguishers. The extinguishers may also be mounted as outlined in the
				  National Fire Protection Association's Standard No. 10, "Portable Fire
				  Extinguishers."
(4)
Selection and distribution.
The employer is responsible for the proper selection and distribution of fire
				extinguishers and the determination of the necessary degree of protection. The
				selection and distribution of fire extinguishers must reflect the type and
				class of fire hazards associated with a particular workplace.
Extinguishers for protecting Class A hazards may be selected
				  from the following types: Water, foam, loaded stream, or multipurpose dry
				  chemical. Extinguishers for protecting Class B hazards may be selected from the
				  following types: Halon 1301, Halon 1211, carbon dioxide, dry chemicals, foam,
				  or loaded stream. Extinguishers for Class C hazards may be selected from the
				  following types: Halon 1301, Halon 1211, carbon dioxide, or dry
				  chemical.
Combustible metal (Class D hazards) fires pose a different
				  type of fire problem in the workplace. Extinguishers using water, gas, or
				  certain dry chemicals cannot extinguish or control this type of fire.
				  Therefore, certain metals have specific dry powder extinguishing agents which
				  can extinguish or control this type of fire. Those agents which have been
				  specifically approved for use on certain metal fires provide the best
				  protection; however, there are also some "universal" type agents which can be
				  used effectively on a variety of combustible metal fires if necessary. The
				  "universal" type agents include: Foundry flux, Lith-X powder, TMB liquid,
				  pyromet powder, TEC powder, dry talc, dry graphite powder, dry sand, dry sodium
				  chloride, dry soda ash, lithium chloride, zirconium silicate, and dry
				  dolomite.
Water is not generally accepted as an effective extinguishing
				  agent for metal fires. When applied to hot burning metal, water will break down
				  into its basic atoms of oxygen and hydrogen. This chemical breakdown
				  contributes to the combustion of the metal. However, water is also a good
				  universal coolant and can be used on some combustible metals, but only under
				  proper conditions and application, to reduce the temperature of the burning
				  metal below the ignition point. For example, automatic deluge systems in
				  magnesium plants can discharge such large quantities of water on burning
				  magnesium that the fire will be extinguished. The National Fire Protection
				  Association has specific standards for this type of automatic sprinkler system.
				  Further information on the control of metal fires with water can be found in
				  the National Fire Protection Association's
Fire Protection
				  Handbook.
An excellent source of selection and distribution criteria is
				  found in the National Fire Protection Association's Standard No. 10. Other
				  sources of information include the National Safety Council and the employer's
				  fire insurance carrier.
(5)
Substitution of standpipe systems
				for portable fire extinguishers.
The employer is permitted to substitute
				acceptable standpipe systems for portable fire extinguishers under certain
				circumstances. It is necessary to assure that any substitution will provide the
				same coverage that portable units provide. This means that fire hoses, because
				of their limited portability, must be spaced throughout the protected area so
				that they can reach around obstructions such as columns, machinery, etc., and
				so that they can reach into closets and other enclosed areas.
(6)
Inspection, maintenance and
				testing.
The ultimate responsibility for the inspection, maintenance and
				testing of portable fire extinguishers lies with the employer. The actual
				inspection, maintenance, and testing may, however, be conducted by outside
				contractors with whom the employer has arranged to do the work. When
				contracting for such work, the employer should assure that the contractor is
				capable of performing the work that is needed to comply with this standard.
If the employer should elect to perform the inspection,
				  maintenance, and testing requirements of this section in-house, then the
				  employer must make sure that those persons doing the work have been trained to
				  do the work and to recognize problem areas which could cause an extinguisher to
				  be inoperable. The National Fire Protection Association provides excellent
				  guidelines in its standard for portable fire extinguishers. The employer may
				  also check with the manufacturer of the unit that has been purchased and obtain
				  guidelines on inspection, maintenance, and testing. Hydrostatic testing is a
				  process that should be left to contractors or individuals using suitable
				  facilities and having the training necessary to perform the work.
Any time the employer has removed an extinguisher from
				  service to be checked or repaired, alternate equivalent protection must be
				  provided. Alternate equivalent protection could include replacing the
				  extinguisher with one or more units having equivalent or equal ratings, posting
				  a fire watch, restricting the unprotected area from employee exposure, or
				  providing a hose system ready to operate.
(7)
Hydrostatic testing.
As
				stated before, the employer may contract for hydrostatic testing. However, if
				the employer wishes to provide the testing service, certain equipment and
				facilities must be available. Employees should be made aware of the hazards
				associated with hydrostatic testing and the importance of using proper guards
				and water pressures. Severe injury can result if extinguisher shells fail
				violently under hydrostatic pressure.
Employers are encouraged to use contractors who can perform
				  adequate and reliable service. Firms which have been certified by the Materials
				  Transportation Board (MTB) of the United States Department of Transportation
				  (DOT), or state licensed extinguisher servicing firms, or recognized by the
				  National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors in Chicago, Illinois, are
				  generally acceptable for performing this service.
(8)
Training and education.
This
				part of the standard is of the utmost importance to employers and employees if
				the risk of injury or death due to extinguisher use is to be reduced. If an
				employer is going to permit an employee to fight a workplace fire of any size,
				the employer must make sure that the employee knows everything necessary to
				assure the employee's safety.
Training and education can be obtained through many channels.
				  Often, local fire departments in larger cities have fire prevention bureaus or
				  similar organizations which can provide basic fire prevention training
				  programs. Fire insurance companies will have data and information available.
				  The National Fire Protection Association and the National Safety Council will
				  provide, at a small cost, publications that can be used in a fire prevention
				  program.
Actual firefighting training can be obtained from various
				  sources in the country. The Texas A and M University, the University of
				  Maryland's Fire and Rescue Institute, West Virginia University's Fire Service
				  Extension, Iowa State University's Fire Service Extension and other state
				  training schools and land grant colleges have firefighting programs directed to
				  industrial applications. Some manufacturers of extinguishers, such as the Ansul
				  Company and Safety First, conduct fire schools for customers in the proper use
				  of extinguishers. Several large corporations have taken time to develop their
				  own on-site training programs which expose employees to the actual "feeling" of
				  firefighting. Simulated fires for training of employees in the proper use of
				  extinguishers are also an acceptable part of a training program.
In meeting the requirements of this section, the employer may
				  also provide educational materials, without classroom instruction, through the
				  use of employee notice campaigns using instruction sheets or flyers or similar
				  types of informal programs. The employer must make sure that employees are
				  trained and educated to recognize not only what type of fire is being fought
				  and how to fight it, but also when it is time to get away from it and leave
				  fire suppression to more experienced firefighters.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					  49.17.010, [49.17].040, and[49.17].050 .
					 01-11-038, § 296-24-59215, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory
					 Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-24-59215,
					 filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94. Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					  49.17.040 and
					 49.17.050. 82-02-003 (Order
					 81-32), § 296-24-59215, filed
					 12/24/81.