Fire Safety and Prevention Notes

Environmental Safety and Fire Prevention

Environmental Safety in the Workplace

  • Environmental safety is crucial and mandated by regulations and standards.
  • These standards address:
    • Fire safety
    • Toxicology
    • Communication of safety data
    • Biohazardous waste
    • Terrorism
    • Extreme weather
  • OSHA and other regulatory bodies oversee these standards, often required by law.
  • Fires and explosions accounted for 3% of workplace fatalities in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

OSHA's Fire Prevention Plan

  • OSHA mandates a written fire prevention plan for workplaces with over 10 employees; oral plans suffice for fewer than 10 employees.
  • Five minimal required elements of a fire prevention plan:
    1. List of Major Fire Hazards:
      • Includes:
        • Major fire hazards
        • Proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials
        • Potential ignition sources and their control measures
        • Required fire protection equipment for each major hazard
    2. Procedures for Controlling Waste:
      • Addresses accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials.
    3. Maintenance Procedures:
      • Regular maintenance of heat-producing equipment safeguards to prevent accidental ignition.
    4. Employee Responsibility (Equipment):
      • Name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control ignition sources or fires.
    5. Employee Responsibility (Fuel):
      • Name or job title of employees responsible for controlling fuel source hazards.
  • Employers must:
    • Inform employees of potential fire hazards.
    • Review necessary parts of the fire prevention plan for self-protection.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

  • Established in 1896, the NFPA is an international nonprofit organization.
  • Mission: Reduce the global burden of fire and other hazards by providing consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
  • Codes and standards are developed through a full, open, consensus-based process.
    • Anyone can participate and contribute equally.
  • Approximately 7,000 volunteer committee members create and review codes and standards.
  • The NFPA has developed over 300 codes and standards.
  • Initiatives and Partnerships include:
    • Fire Sprinkler Initiative
    • Firewise Community Program
    • Fire Adapted Communities
    • Electric Vehicle Safety Training Project
    • Coalition for Fire Safe Cigarettes
  • A complete list of codes and standards is available on the NFPA website.

RACE Acronym (Responding to a Fire)

  • Rescue: Rescue anyone in immediate danger.
    • Alert others to the danger.
    • Assist those with reduced mobility to exit.
  • Activate: Activate the fire alarm.
    • Ensures building evacuation.
    • Notifies the local fire department.
  • Confine: Confine the fire.
    • Close windows and doors to limit oxygen supply and spread.
    • Avoid remaining in a confined area with the fire due to smoke and lack of oxygen.
  • Extinguish/Evacuate: Extinguish or evacuate.
    • If the fire is small, use a fire extinguisher.
    • If the fire is too large, evacuate and wait for the fire department.

PASS Acronym (Operating a Fire Extinguisher)

  • Pull: Pull the safety pin on the extinguisher.
    • The extinguisher will not function with the pin in place.
  • Aim: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
    • Ensure the retardant hits the base, not the flames.
  • Squeeze: Squeeze the handle to begin spraying.
    • Apply continuous spray, not bursts.
  • Sweep: Sweep the extinguisher from side to side until the fire is out.
    • Use slow, steady passes, covering the entire base.
    • If the fire is not out and another extinguisher is unavailable, evacuate.