Potential Hazards:
-
Risk of employee injury/illness due to fire.
-
Exposure to the extinguishing agents.
-
Inadequate communication.
-
Untrained employees trying to activate fire extinguishing system.
-
System not maintained and tested.
-
Using incorrect extinguishing agent.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- All fixed and portable fire protection systems (Figure 1) must meet OSHA standards
for worker safety. [1915.507(a)]
- Portable fire extinguishers and hose systems must be selected,
installed, inspected, maintained and tested to meet appropriate
requirements (Figure 2). [1915.507(b),
NFPA 10-2007 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, NFPA 14-2007
Standard for the Installation of Stand Pipe, Private Hydrant, and Hose
Systems]
- Fixed extinguishing system must: [1915.507(c),
1910.7]
- Ensure that all fixed extinguishing agents meet requirements for
potential hazards and are approved by an OSHA National Recognized
Testing Laboratory. [1915.507(c)(1)]
- Ensure that workers are safe when system is inactive. [1915.507(c)(2)]
- Ensure that repairs are done by a qualified technician or mechanic. [1915.507(c)(3)]
- Provide personal protective equipment where necessary. [1915.507(c)(4)]
- Post hazard warning and caution signs when extinguishing agent could be hazardous
to workers safety or health (Figure 3). [1915.507(c)(5)]
- Select, install, inspect, maintain, and test all automatic fire
detection systems and emergency alarms according to requirements. [1915.507(c)(6),
1915.5, NFPA
72-2007
National Fire Alarm Code]
- All fixed extinguishing systems must be selected, installed,
maintained, inspected, and tested in accordance with appropriate OSHA and
NFPA requirements. Systems include: [1915.507(d)]
- Standpipe and hose systems. [1915.507(d)(1),
NFPA 14-2007 Standard for the Installation of Stand Pipe, Private
Hydrant, and Hose Systems]
- Automatic sprinkler systems (Figure 4). [1915.507(d)(2),
NFPA 25-2002 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of
Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, NFPA 13-2007 Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 750-2006 Standard on Water Mist
Fire Protection Systems]
- Fixed extinguishing systems that use the following as the
extinguishing agent:
- Water or foam. [1915.507(d)(3),
NFPA 15-2007 Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection, NFPA
11-2005 Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam]
- Dry chemical. [1915.507(d)(4),
NFPA 17-2002 Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems]
- Gas. [1915.507(d)(5),
NFPA 12-2005 Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems, NFPA
12A-2004 Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems, NFPA 2001-2004
Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems]
Additional Resources:
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![Landside fire pump used for fire extinguishing system. Landside fire pump used for fire extinguishing system.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105054550im_/http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/etools/shipyard/fire_protection/images/fire_pump_thumb.jpg)
Figure 1. Land-side fire pump used for fire extinguishing system.
![CO2 fire extinguisher with seal and inspection tag. CO2 fire extinguisher with seal and inspection tag.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105054550im_/http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/etools/shipyard/fire_protection/images/fire_extinguisher_with_seal_thumb.jpg)
Figure 2. CO2 fire extinguisher with seal and inspection tag.
![Activating mechanism for halon extinguishing system. Activating mechanism for halon extinguishing system.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105054550im_/http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/etools/shipyard/fire_protection/images/computerroom02.jpg)
Figure 3. Activating mechanism for halon extinguishing system.
![Sprinkler head. Sprinkler head.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105054550im_/http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/etools/shipyard/fire_protection/images/computerroom07.jpg)
Figure 4. Sprinkler head.
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