Fire suppression and alarm equipment use and management. XXX [name of office] policy on employee use of fire extinguishing Equipment to fight fire. [***DECISION POINT 1: Stipulate here whether all of your employees or only designated employees are authorized to are authorized to attempt to fight small fires. If you opt to allow any employee to attempt to extinguish small fires, you must annually train every employee in the facility to operate the fire extinguishing equipment. If only designated personnel are authorized, they must also be trained annually.] Upon being informed of a fire by the fire alarm sounding/flashing, a voice alarm, or a visible flame or smoke, trained occupants may attempt to extinguish fires with the provided fire extinguishers, evacuating if it becomes apparent that a fire is not going to be quickly and easily extinguished. All other occupants not engaged in fire fighting will evacuate immediately, following the prescribed procedures detailed in the Fire Response section of the Emergency Action Plan. [OR:] Only designated, trained members of the Unit Emergency Organization (UEO) s may attempt to extinguish fires with the provided fire extinguishers. All other occupants will evacuate immediately, following the prescribed evacuation procedures detailed in the Fire Response section of the Emergency Action Plan. [***DECISION POINT 2: You must determine and describe the specifics of fire extinguisher training required for your facility] Portable fire extinguisher training and education. XXX [name of office] will provide an educational program to familiarize [choose all employees or members of the UEO, as appropriate to your choice in decision point 1] with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. This training will consist of [describe training program here; name of any programs or videos used, length of class, degree of hands-on training, etc.] This training will be provided upon initial employment, and annually thereafter in the month of [XXX]. Management of Portable fire extinguishing equipment. [Required regardless of whether employees are authorized to use the equipment]. Requirements of this section apply to the placement, use, maintenance, and testing of portable fire extinguishers. This section does not apply to extinguishers provided for use on the outside of workplace buildings or structures. Only approved portable fire extinguishers will be used to meet the requirements of this section.
All members of the UEO shall be fully trained in the responsibilities assigned to them. Training schedules will be established and kept current, to include a minimum of one fire extinguisher training session and six practice drills annually. The UEO Chief (UEOC) is [Enter name or position title here]. The UEOC will provide effective organization and control in emergencies, and will create a list of alternates to ensure that there is always an employee designated to serve in the absence of the UEOC. Safety personnel will provide advice and support on equipping, training, and functioning of the UEO. Information on emergency evacuation procedures and the assignment of associated evacuation responsibilities are contained in the XXX[name of office] Emergency Action Plan. APPENDIX: FIRE EXTINGUISHER REFERENCE MATERIAL TABLE 1: CLASSES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Class A fires. Class A fires are classed as ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, clothe, rubber and some plastics. Portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class A fires will be distributed so that the travel distance for employees to any extinguisher is 75 feet (22.9 m) or less. Class B fires. Class B fires are classed as flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane. Portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class B fires will be distributed so that the travel distance from the Class B hazard area to any extinguisher is 50 feet (15.2 m) or less. Class C fires. Class C fires are classed as energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and power tools. Portable fire extinguishers for use by employees on Class C fires will be distributed so that the travel distance from the Class C hazard area to any extinguishing agent is 50 feet (15.2 m) or less. Class D fires. Class D fires are classed as certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. Portable fire extinguishers or other containers of Class D extinguishing agent used by employees will be distributed so that the travel distance from the combustible metal working area to any extinguishing agent is 75 feet (22.9 m) or less.