Chapter 7 Fire, Egress,

and 1st Aid.

Section 1 Presentation
Section 2 Narrative

1
Fire, Egress, 1st Aid
Fire Protection
Fire Prevention
Emergency Action Plans
First Aid

2
 Fire Tetrahedron

Oxygen Heat
Chain
Rxn

Fuel

Fire consists of heat, fuel, and oxygen involved in a chemical chain

reaction. The reaction is an oxidation/reduction reaction that produces
heat and light. Remove any of these four elements and you extinguish
the fire.

3
 Fire Survival
z Fire Behavior
z Fire Escape
z Emergency Plans
z Stop, Drop, and Roll
z Building Fires
z Home Fires

Teach your employees how to survive a fire. Most people don’t even
know to get down on the floor to avoid the heavy smoke. Many don’t
know how to stop, drop, and roll. Many don’t know that opening a
window will draw the fire to that window. Include home fire safety as
an added benefit to your employees.

4
 PORTABLE FIRE
SUPPRESSION
EQUIPMENT
zScope& Application
1910.155

5
 PORTABLE FIRE
SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT
zRequirements For:
–fire brigades
–portable and fixed fire
suppression equipment
–fire detection systems
–alarm systems

6
 PORTABLE FIRE
SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT
zDoes Not Apply to:
–maritime
–construction
–agriculture

7
 FIRE BRIGADES -
1910.156
zScope
–Organization
–Training
–PPE

Most industry does not have a fire brigade in the sense of interior
structural firefighting. Just because you have fire extinguishers doesn’t
mean you have an interior structural fire brigade. If you do have
interior structural firefighters then you must comply with the
requirements of the National Fire Protection Association. You must also
equip your interior structural firefighters in accordance with the
NFPA.

8
 Fire Brigade
zorganized group of
employees
zknowledgeable, trained,
skilled in at least basic
fire-fighting operations

You can have a fire brigade that does not consist of interior structural
fire fighters. Their policies must prohibit them from acting as interior
structural firefighters. These people can use fire extinguishers or small
hose lines on incipient stage fires.

9
 FIRE BRIGADES
Application
zDoes not Require
–Applies If Established
zApplies to:
–fire brigades
–industrial fire depts.
–private fire departments

This standard does not require you to have a fire brigade but if you do
have one you must comply with the standard.

10
 Incipient Stage Fire
zinitial
or beginning stage
zcontrolled by portable
extinguishers or Class II
standpipe systems
zwithout need for PPE

If your firefighters need PPE to fight a fire then they are interior
structural firefighters.

11
 Interior Structural Fire
Fighting
zfire suppression and/or
rescue
zinside of buildings or
enclosed structures
zfire beyond incipient stage

12
 Standpipe System
Classification
zClass I: 2-1/2" hose for use
by FDs and those trained in
heavy fire streams
zClass II: 1-1/2" hose for the
control of incipient stage
fires

13
Standpipe Classification
zClass III: Combined System
–use of trained employees
– more advanced stages of fire
–interior of workplaces
–outlets for 1-1/2" & 2-1/2"
hose
zSmall Hose System:
–5/8" to 1-1/2" hose
–incipient stage fires

14
 Protective Clothing
zApply to Interior Structural
Fire Fighting
–do not apply to incipient
stage fire fighting

15
 Protective Clothing
(cont.)
z Protective
Clothing Components:
–foot and leg
–body
–hand
–head, eye & face

16
 PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS -
1910.157
zScope & Application
zPlacement, Use,
Maintenance, Testing

You may or may not have fire extinguishers. If you do have them you
must comply with the standard.

17
 Fire Protection
Definitionsz-Class
1910.155
C Fire
zClass A Fire –energized
–ordinary electrical
combustibles equipment
z Class D Fire
zClass B Fire –combustible
–flammable/ metals
combustible z Class K
liquids/gases –Kitchen
fire
Grease

18
PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS (cont)
zDoesNot Require
Employees to Use If:
–total evacuation policy
–emergency action plan
–fire prevention plan
–extinguishers not available
»unless a specific standard
requires extinguishers

19
 zDry Chemical
–extinguishing agent
»sodium bicarbonate
»potassium bicarbonate
»monoammonium phosphate

Dry chemical extinguishing agents extinguish fires by halting the

chemical chain reaction.

20
zMultipurpose Dry Chem.
–ABC dry chemical
zDry Powder
–used for Class D fires
zExtinguisher Rating
–indicates potential based on
UL tests

21
 zCarbon Tet. Prohibited
zHalons
–ozone depleting

Carbon tetrachloride was once widely used as an extinguishing agent.

It is very hazardous and is prohibited from use as a fire extinguishing
agent.

Halons are halogenated hydrocarbons that extinguish fire by halting

the chemical chain reaction. Although they are very efficient fire
extinguishing agents their use has been phased out because they are
ozone-depleting.

22
 Alternatives to Halon Tested
by FM Research Corp.
zFM 200 by Green Lake
Chemicals
zCEA-410 by 3M
zFE-241 by Dupont
zInergen by Ansul

If you have halon extinguishing systems, these are replacement agents

for the halon.

23
 Fire Extinguisher
General Requirements:
z Mount,Locate & Identify
– So Readily Accessible
z Approved Extinguishers

24
Selection of Extinguishers

zBased on:
–classes of anticipated fires
–size and degree of
anticipated hazard

25
 Distribution of Extinguishers
zTravel Distances:
–Class A....75 feet
–Class B....50 feet
–Class C....Based on Class A
or B hazards
–Class D....75 feet

These are maximum travel distances so, for example, class A fire
extinguishers can be placed 150 feet apart while class B extinguishers
can be placed 100 feet apart.

26
Inspection, Maintenance
& Testing
zVisually Inspected
Monthly
zMaintained Annually
zHydrostatically Tested
Periodically per Table L-1

27
Training and Education
zTrain Only Employees
Designated to Use
zCover Extinguishers &
Associated Hazards
zInitial Employment
zAnnually Thereafter

28
 Standpipe Equipment
zHose Reels & Cabinets
–designed for prompt use
zHose Outlets &
Connections
–not obstructed
–accessible

29
 Standpipe Equipment
(cont.)

zHose
–Each Required Outlet
Equipped with Hose
»connected and ready
–Subject to Extreme Cold
»kept in protected location if
»readily available

30
 Nozzles for Standpipe
Systems
zShut-Off Type Nozzles
–straight stream
–fog (variable stream,
spray or combination)
zWater Supply
–100 Gpm for 30 Minutes

Nozzles can be either straight stream or fog nozzles. Standpipe hose

lines must be able to supply 100 gallons per minute for 30 minutes.

31
 AUTOMATIC
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS -
1910.159
zScope & Application
–Installed per a Particular
OSHA Standard

Fire sprinklers may be required by different standards: national, state,

and local.

32
 General Requirements
for Sprinkler Systems
zProvideComplete
Coverage
zOnly Approved
Equipment and Devices
Used

Beware of void spaces. All void spaces must be covered by a sprinkler

head.

33
 FIRE DETECTION
SYSTEMS - 1910.164
zScope and Application
–Applies to All Automatic
Fire Detection Systems
Installed to Meet a
Particular OSHA Standard

34
 EMPLOYEE ALARM
SYSTEMS - 1910.165
zScope and Application
– The employer shall establish procedures for
sounding emergency alarms in the
workplace.
– For those employers with 10 or fewer
employees in a particular workplace, direct
voice communication is an acceptable
procedure for sounding the alarm provided
all employees can hear the alarm.

35
 General Requirements
for Alarm Systems
zProvideWarning for
Emergency Action
–As Called for in EAP
–Or Provide Time for Safe
Escape of Employees

36
 for Alarm Systems
(cont.)
zPerceived above Ambient
Noise or Light Levels
–By All Employees in Affected
Portions of Workplace
zDistinctive & Recognizable

37
 for Alarm Systems
(cont.)
zExplain
Means of Reporting
Emergencies:
–manual pull box alarms
–public address systems
–radio
–telephones

38
 29 CFR 1910.38 EMPLOYEE
EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS
z The following elements, at a minimum, shall be
included in the plan:
(1) Emergency escape procedures and emergency escape route
assignments;
(2) Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to
operate critical plant operations before they evacuate;
(3) Procedures to account for all employees after emergency
evacuation has been completed;
(4) Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to
perform them;
(5) The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies;
and
(6) Names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can
be contacted for further information or explanation of duties
under the plan.

39
 29 CFR 1910.38 EMPLOYEE
EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS
z Designate and train a sufficient number of persons to
assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation
of employees.
z Review the plan with each employee covered by the
plan at the following times:
(A) Initially when the plan is developed
(B) Whenever the employee's responsibilities or
designated actions under the plan change, and
(C) Whenever the plan is changed.
•• review
review with
with each
each employee
employee those
those parts
parts of
of the
the plan
plan which
which the
the employee
employee
must
must know
know toto protect
protect the
the employee
employee in in the
the event
event of
of an
an emergency.
emergency.
•• The
The written
written plan
plan shall
shall be
be kept
kept at
at the
the workplace
workplace and
and made
made available
available for
for
employee
employee review.
review.

40
 29 CFR 1910.38 EMPLOYEE FIRE
PREVENTION PLANS
z The following elements, at a minimum, shall be
included in the fire prevention plan:
(1)
(1) A list of the major workplace fire hazards and their proper
handling and storage procedures
(2)
(2) potential ignition sources (such as welding, smoking and
others) and their control procedures
(3)
(3) the type of fire protection equipment or systems in use
(4)
(4) Names or regular job titles of those personnel responsible
for maintenance of equipment and systems installed to
prevent or control ignitions or fires
(5)
(5) Names or regular job titles of those personnel responsible
for control of fuel source hazards.
(6)
(6) Means control accumulations of flammable & combustible
waste materials and residues (housekeeping procedures)

41
 First Aid 1910.151
z In absence of hospital or medical facility in
close proximity:
– Must provide First Aid
– Where potential exposure to corrosives:
» Facilities for drenching/flushing
z First Aid Supplies:
– approved by a competent physician for the
hazards that may be encountered at the facility
» list of first aid supplies recommended by a
competent physician with his/her signature
– Use limited by written policy

You have to provide first aid if there is no hospital or medical facility in

close proximity. Close proximity means a travel time of four to six
minutes.

42
End Section

43
 Chapter 6 Fire, Exit Routes, and 1st Aid
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPIC PAGE

Introduction to Portable Fire Suppression Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Fire Brigades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Portable Fire Extinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Standpipe and Hose Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Fixed Fire Suppression Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Fire Detection and Alarm Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

OSHA’s Emergency Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Medical Services and First Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

NFPA 10 for 2002 Introduces Class K Fire Extinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

 F IRE P ROTECTION
S UBPART L

Portable Fire Supression Equipment

SCOPE , APPLICATION , AND DEFINITIONS - 1910.155

This subpart contains requirements for fire brigades, and all portable and fixed fire
suppression equipment, fire detection systems, and fire and employee alarm systems
installed to meet the fire protection requirements of 29 CFR 1910.

It applies to employment other than maritime, construction and agriculture.

This discussion will be limited to fire brigades and portable fire suppression equipment.

There are many important definitions included in Subpart L. Some of these are
summarized below.

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 or combustible 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 primarily composed of very small particles of

chemicals; e.g., sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, monoammonium
phosphate.

Dry powder. A compound used to extinguish or control Class D fires.

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.

Fire brigade. An organized group of employees who are knowledgeable, trained, and
skilled in at least basic fire fighting operations.

Halon 1211. A colorless, faintly sweet smelling, electrically nonconductive liquefied gas
(CBrClF2) which is a medium for extinguishing fires by inhibiting the chemical chain
reaction of fuel and oxygen. It is also known as bromochlorodifluoromethane.

1
Halon 1301. A colorless, odorless, electrically nonconductive gas (CBrF3) which is a
medium for extinguishing fires by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of fuel and
oxygen. It is also known as bromotrifluoromethane.

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.

Interior structural fire fighting. 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.

Multipurpose dry chemical. A dry chemical which is approved for use on Class A,
Class B and Class C fires.

Standpipe systems.
! Class I system means a 2-½" hose connection for use by fire departments and
those trained in handling heavy fire streams.

! Class II system means a 1-½" hose system which provides a means for the
control or extinguishment of incipient stage fires.

! Class III system means a combined system of hose which is for the use of
employees trained in 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 1-½" and
2-½" hose.

! Small hose system means a system of hose (e" to 1-½" diameter) which is for
the use of employees for the control or extinguishment of incipient stage fires.

2
FIRE BRIGADES - 1910.156

Scope and Application

This section contains requirements for the organization, training,

and personal protective equipment of fire brigades whenever they
are established by an employer. It should be noted that this
regulation does not require an employer to establish fire brigades.
If they are established, however, the requirements of this section
must be met.

The requirements of this section apply to fire brigades, industrial fire departments and
private or contractual fire departments. This section does not apply to airport crash
rescue or forest fire fighting operations.

Organization

The employer shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement which:

! Establishes the fire brigade and its organizational structure;

! Defines the functions to be performed; and
! States training program requirements.

The employer must assure that employees who are expected to do interior structural fire
fighting are physically capable of performing duties which may be assigned to them
during emergencies.

Training and Education

Training shall be conducted prior to assignment and at least annually for all fire brigade
members. Quarterly training or education sessions are required for those fire brigade
members expected to perform interior structural fire fighting.

Some sources of qualified training instructors are:

! Local Fire Department

! State Fire Marshal's Office
! State University Extension Service
! International Society of Fire Service Instructors
! Community College Fire Science Programs

Fire Fighting Equipment

The employer shall maintain and inspect, at least annually, fire fighting equipment to
assure safe operational condition of the equipment. Portable fire extinguishers and
respirators shall be inspected at least monthly.

3
Protective Clothing

These requirements apply to those employees who perform interior structural fire fighting.
The requirements do not apply to employees who use fire extinguishers or standpipe
systems to control or extinguish fires only in the incipient stage.

Requirements for protective clothing are specified for the following components:
! Foot and leg protection
! Body protection
! Hand protection
! Head, eye and face protection

Respiratory Protection Devices

The employer shall assure that respiratory protection devices worn by fire brigade
members meet the requirements of 1910.134 and the requirements contained in this
section. These respirators must also be certified under 30 CFR Part 11.

4
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - 1910.157

Scope and Application

The requirements of this section apply to the placement, use,

maintenance, and testing of portable fire extinguishers provided
for the use of employees.

The selection and distribution requirements of this section do not

apply to extinguishers provided for employee use on the outside
of workplace buildings or structures.

Where extinguishers are provided but are not intended for

employee use and the employer has an emergency action plan
and a fire prevention plan which meet the requirements of
1910.38, then only the requirements of this section dealing with
inspection, maintenance and testing apply.

Exemptions

The standard does not require the employees to use extinguishers. Where the employer
has a total evacuation policy and an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan
which meet the requirements of 1910.38, and extinguishers are not available in the
workplace, the employer is exempt from all requirements of this section unless a specific
standard in Part 1910 requires that a portable extinguisher be provided.

Where the employer has an emergency action plan meeting the requirements of 1910.38
which establishes fire brigades and requires all other employees to evacuate, the
employer is exempt from the distribution requirements of this section.

General Requirements

General requirements regarding portable fire extinguishers include:

! Mount, locate and identify extinguishers so that they are readily accessible to
employees.

! Only approved extinguishers shall be used.

! Carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane extinguishing agents are prohibited.

! Maintain extinguishers in a fully charged and operable condition and keep in their
designated places at all times except during use.

! Soldered or riveted shell inverting type extinguishers shall be permanently

removed from service.

Selection and Distribution

5
Extinguishers shall be provided for employee use and selected and distributed based on
the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard which
would affect their use.

Extinguishers shall be distributed so that the following maximum travel distances apply:

Class A . . . . 75 feet
Class B . . . . 50 feet
Class C . . . . Based on appropriate pattern for existing Class A or B hazards.
Class D . . . . 75 feet

Inspection, Maintenance and Testing

Extinguishers shall be visually inspected monthly, maintained annually, and

hydrostatically tested periodically as per Table L-1 of this standard.

Training and Education

! Employees shall be educated in use of extinguishers and associated hazards

upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter.

! Employees designated to use fire fighting equipment shall be trained.

6
STANDPIPE AND HOSE SYSTEMS - 1910.158

This section applies to all small hose, Class II, and Class III
standpipe systems required by other OSHA standards. It does not
apply to Class I standpipe systems.

Protection of Standpipes

Standpipes shall be located or otherwise protected against

mechanical damage. Damaged standpipes shall be repaired
promptly.

Equipment

Hose Reels and Cabinets

Where reels or cabinets are provided to contain fire hose, the employer shall assure that
they are designed to facilitate prompt use at the time of an emergency.

Hose Outlets and Connections

Hose outlets and connections must be located high enough above the floor to avoid being
obstructed and to be accessible to employees.

Hose
Each required hose outlet shall be equipped with hose connected and ready for use.

Where hose may be damaged by extreme cold, it may be kept in a protected location as
long as it is readily available to be connected for use.

Nozzles
The employer shall assure that standpipe hose is equipped with shut-off type nozzles.
There are two basic nozzle types:

! Straight stream
! Fog (also referred to as variable stream, spray or combination)

While fog is generally preferred, straight stream is acceptable.

Water Supply
The minimum water supply for standpipe and hose systems, which are provided for the
use of employees, shall be sufficient to provide 100 gallons per minute for at least thirty
minutes.

Tests and Maintenance

Acceptance Tests
Piping and hose of Class II and Class III systems shall be hydrostatically tested before
being placed in service.

7
Maintenance
The following maintenance items are required for standpipe and hose systems:

! Water supply tanks are to be kept filled except during repairs.

! Valves in the main piping connections to the automatic sources of water supply
must always be kept fully open except during repairs.

! Hose systems must be inspected at least annually and after each use.

! Any unserviceable portion of the system must be removed immediately and

replaced with equivalent protection during repair.

! Hemp or linen hoses shall be unracked, inspected for deterioration, and re-
racked using a different fold pattern at least annually. Defective hose shall be
replaced.

! Trained persons shall be designated to conduct all these required inspections.

8
Fixed Fire Suppression Equipment

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS - 1910.159

Scope and Application

This section applies to all automatic sprinkler systems installed to meet a particular OSHA
standard. Systems installed solely for property protection are not covered.

General Requirements

All automatic sprinkler designs must provide the necessary discharge patterns, densities,
and water flow characteristics for complete coverage. Only approved equipment and
devices shall be used.

Maintenance
Systems shall be properly maintained. A main drain flow test must be performed on each
system annually. The inspector's test valve shall be opened at least every two years to
assure proper operation of the system.

Acceptance Tests
New systems shall have proper acceptance tests conducted including:

! Flushing of underground connections;

! Hydrostatic tests of system piping;
! Air-tests in dry-pipe systems;
! Test of drainage facilities.

Water Supplies
Every automatic sprinkler system must be provided with at least one automatic water
supply capable of providing design water flow for at least 30 minutes.

Sprinkler Spacing
In order to provide a maximum protection area per sprinkler and a minimum of
interference to the discharge pattern, the vertical clearance between sprinklers and
material below shall be at least 18 inches.

FIXED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS, GENERAL - 1910.160

Scope and Application

This section applies to all fixed extinguishing systems installed to meet a particular OSHA
standard except for automatic sprinkler systems covered by 1910.159.

Certain paragraphs of this section also apply to fixed systems not installed to meet a
particular OSHA standard, but which, by their operation, may expose employees to
possible injury, death or adverse health consequences caused by the extinguishing
agent.

9
Specific fixed extinguishing systems using dry chemical, gaseous agents, water spray
and foam are regulated by 1910.161 through 1910.163.

General Requirements

Fixed extinguishing system components and agents must be designed and approved for
use on the specific fire hazards they are expected to control.

If the system becomes inoperable, the employer shall notify employees and take the
necessary temporary precautions to assure their safety until the system is restored to
operating order.

Except where discharge is immediately recognizable, a distinctive alarm or signalling

system which complies with 1910.165 and is capable of being perceived above ambient
noise or light levels shall be provided on all extinguishing systems in those areas covered
by the system.

Effective safeguards shall be provided to warn employees against entry into discharge
areas where the atmosphere remains hazardous to employee safety or health.

Hazard warning or caution signs shall be posted at the entrance to, and inside of, areas
protected by systems which use agents in hazardous concentrations.

Fixed systems shall be inspected annually by a person knowledgeable in the design and
function of the system.

The weight and pressure of refillable containers and the weight of nonrefillable containers
shall be checked at least semi-annually.

Total Flooding Systems with Potential Health and Safety Hazards to Employees

The employer shall provide an emergency action plan per 1910.38 for each area
protected by a total flooding system which provides agent concentrations exceeding the
maximum safe levels specified in 1910.162(b)(5) and (b)(6).

All systems must have a pre-discharge alarm which complies with 1910.165 and is
capable of being perceived above ambient light or noise levels, which will give the
employees time to safely exit from the discharge area prior to discharge.

Automatic actuation of the system shall be provided by an approved fire detection device
interconnected with the pre-discharge employee alarm system.

FIXED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS, DRY CHEMICAL - 1910.161

Scope and Application

This section applies to all fixed systems using dry chemical as the extinguishing agent,
installed to meet a particular OSHA standard. These systems must also comply with
1910.160.

10
Specific Requirements

Dry chemical agents must be compatible with any foams or wetting agents with which
they are used.

When dry chemical discharge may obscure vision, a pre-discharge employee alarm is
required which complies with 1910.165 and which will give employees time to safely exit
from the discharge area prior to system discharge.

The rate of application of dry chemicals must be such that the designed concentration of
the system will be reached within 30 seconds of initial discharge.

FIXED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS, GASEOUS AGENT - 1910.162

Scope and Application

This section applies to all fixed extinguishing systems, using a gas as the extinguishing
agent, installed to meet a particular OSHA standard. These systems shall also comply
with 1910.160.

Specific Requirements

For total flooding systems, the designed extinguishing concentration must be reached
within 30 seconds of initial discharge except for Halon systems which must achieve
design concentration within 10 seconds.

For total flooding systems, a pre-discharge alarm is required on Halon 1211 and carbon
dioxide systems with a design concentration of 4 percent or greater and for Halon 1301
systems with a design concentration of 10 percent or greater. The alarm must provide
employees time to safely exit the discharge area prior to system discharge.

For total flooding systems using Halon 1301:

! Where egress from an area takes more than one minute, agent concentrations
of more than 7 percent shall not be used.

! Where egress takes longer than 30 seconds, but less than one minute,
concentrations are limited to 10 percent.

! Concentrations greater than 10 percent are only permitted in areas not normally
occupied, provided that any employee in the area can escape within 30
seconds.

FIXED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS, WATER SPRAY AND FOAM - 1910.163

Scope and Application

This section applies to all fixed extinguishing systems, using water or foam solution as
the extinguishing agent, installed to meet a particular OSHA standard. These systems

11
must also comply with 1910.160. This section does not apply to automatic sprinkler
systems which are covered under 1910.159.

Specific Requirements

The foam and water spray systems must be designed to be effective in at least controlling
fire in the protected area or on protected equipment.

Drainage of water spray systems must be directed away from areas where employees
are working and no emergency egress is permitted through the drainage path.

12
FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS - 1910.164

Scope and Application

This section applies to all automatic fire detection systems installed to meet a particular
OSHA standard.

Installation and Restoration

Only approved devices and equipment may be used.

All fire detection systems and components shall be restored to normal operating condition
as soon as possible after each test or alarm.

Maintenance and Testing

All systems must be maintained in an operable condition except during repairs or

maintenance.

Fire detectors and fire detection systems (unless factory calibrated) must be tested and
adjusted as often as needed to maintain proper reliability and operating condition.

Servicing, maintenance and testing of fire detection systems must be performed by a

trained person knowledgeable in the operations and functions of the system.

Protection of Fire Detectors

Fire detection equipment installed outdoors or in the presence of corrosive atmospheres

shall be protected from corrosion.

Detection equipment must be located and/or protected from mechanical or physical

impact.

Response Time

Fire detection systems installed for the purpose of actuating fire extinguishment or
suppression systems shall be designed to operate in time to control or extinguish a fire.

Detection systems installed for the purpose of employee alarm and evacuation must be
designed and installed to provide a warning for emergency action and safe escape of
employees.

Number, Location, and Spacing of Detecting Devices

The number, location, and spacing of fire detectors must be based upon design data
obtained from field experience, or tests, engineering surveys, manufacturer's
recommendations, or a recognized testing laboratory listing.

13
EMPLOYEE ALARM SYSTEMS - 1910.165

Scope and Application

This section applies to all emergency employee alarms installed to meet a particular
OSHA standard.

General Requirements

The employee alarm system shall provide warning for necessary emergency action as
called for in the emergency action plan, or for the reaction time for safe escape of
employees.

The employee alarm shall be capable of being perceived above ambient noise or light
levels by all employees in the affected portions of the workplace.

The alarm must be distinctive and recognizable as a signal to evacuate the work area or
to perform actions designated under the emergency action plan.

The employer shall explain to each employee the preferred means of reporting
emergencies, such as manual pull box alarms, public address systems, radio or
telephones.

Installation and Restoration

All devices, components and systems installed to comply with this standard must be
approved.

All employee alarm systems must be restored to normal operating condition as promptly
as possible after each test or alarm.

Maintenance and Testing

All employee alarm systems shall be maintained in operating condition except when
undergoing repairs or maintenance.

A test of the reliability and adequacy of non-supervised employee alarm systems must
be made every two months. A different actuation device shall be used in each test of a
multi-actuation device system so that no individual device is used for two consecutive
tests.

All supervised employee alarm systems must be tested at least annually for reliability and
adequacy.

Servicing, maintenance and testing of systems must be done by persons trained in the
designed operation and functions necessary for reliable and safe operation of the system.

Manual Operation

14
Manually operated actuation devices for use in conjunction with employee alarms shall
be unobstructed, conspicuous and readily accessible.

Subpart E
OSHA’s Emergency Standards - Narrative

When Emergency Action Plan Are Required

Almost every business is required to have an emergency action plan (EAP).

If fire extinguishers are required or provided in your workplace, and if anyone will be
evacuating during a fire or other emergency, then OSHA's 1910.157 standard requires
you to have an EAP.

The only exemption to this is if you have an in-house fire brigade in which every
employee is trained and equipped to fight fires, and consequently, no one evacuates.

In most circumstances, immediate evacuation is the best policy, especially if professional

firefighting services are available to respond quickly. There may be situations where
employee firefighting is warranted to give other workers time to escape, or to prevent
danger to others by spread of a fire. In this case, you as the employer are still required
to have an EAP.

Explanation of an Emergency Action Plan

An emergency action plan describes the actions employees should take to ensure their
safety if a fire or other emergency situation occurs. Well developed emergency plans and
proper employee training (such that employees understand their roles and responsibilities
within the plan) will result in fewer and less severe employee injuries and less structural
damage to the facility during emergencies. A poorly prepared plan, likely will lead to a
disorganized evacuation or emergency response, resulting in confusion, injury, and
property damage.

Putting together a comprehensive emergency action plan that deals with those issues
specific to your worksite is not difficult. It involves taking what was learned from your
workplace evaluation and describing how employees will respond to different types of
emergencies, taking into account your specific worksite layout, structural features, and
emergency systems. Most organizations find it beneficial to include a diverse group of
representatives (management and employees) in this planning process and to meet
frequently to review progress and allocate development tasks. The commitment and
support of all employees is critical to the plan’s success in the event of an emergency;
ask for their help in establishing and implementing your emergency action plan.

Emergency Action Plan Contents

Your planning process and site-specific emergency action plan should address each of
the following elements:

15
 - Preferred procedures for reporting emergencies such as dialing 911, or an internal
emergency number, or pulling a manual fire alarm. 1910.38(a)(2)(v)

- A description of the alarm system to be used to notify employees (including

disabled employees) to evacuate and/or take other actions. The alarms used for
different actions should be distinctive and might include horn blasts, sirens, or even
public address systems.

- An evacuation policy, procedures, and escape route assignments so employees

understand who is authorized to order an evacuation, under what conditions an
evacuation would be necessary, how to evacuate, and what routes to take.
Evacuation procedures often describe actions employees should take before and
while evacuating such as shutting windows, turning off equipment, and closing doors
behind them. Exit diagrams are typically used to identify the escape routes to be
followed by employees from each specific facility location. 1910.38(a)(2)(i)

- Procedures for employees who remain on site after the evacuation alarm sounds,
if required, before evacuating. Employees may be required to operate fire
extinguishers or shut down gas and/or electrical systems and other special
equipment that could be damaged if left operating or create additional hazards to
emergency responders (such as releasing hazardous materials). 1910.38(a)(2)(ii)

- Procedures to account for employees after the evacuation to ensure that everyone
got out. This might include procedures for designated employees to sweep areas,
checking offices and rest rooms, before being the last to leave a workplace or
conducting a roll call in the assembly area. Many employers designate an
"evacuation warden" to assist others in an evacuation and to account for personnel.
1910.38(a)(2)(iii)

- The duties, responsibilities, and names of employees assigned with rescue and
medical tasks. Most small organizations rely on local public resources such as the
local fire department or hospital to provide these services. 1910.38(a)(2)(iv)

- A description of how employees will be informed of the contents of the plan and
trained in their roles and responsibilities. 1910.38(a)(5)

-The names, titles, departments, and phone numbers of employees who can be
contacted for additional information or clarification of some aspect of the plan.
1910.38(a)(2)(vi)

- A list of key personnel who should be contacted during off-hours emergencies.

1910.38(a)(2)(vi)

Although they are not specifically required by OSHA, you may find it helpful to include the
following in your plan:

- The site of an alternative communications center to be used in the event of a fire

or explosion; and

16
 - A secure on- or offsite location to store originals or duplicate copies of accounting
records, legal documents, your employees' emergency contact lists, and other
essential records.

- Effective plans often call for retraining employees annually and include drills in
which employees can practice evacuating their workplace and gathering in the
assembly area.

It is essential that the emergency action plan developed be site specific with respect to
emergency conditions evaluated, evacuation policies and procedures, emergency
reporting mechanisms, and alarm systems.

The best emergency action plans include employees in the planning process, specify
what employees should do during an emergency, and ensure that employees receive
proper training for emergencies. When you include your employees in your planning,
encourage them to offer suggestions about potential hazards, worst-case scenarios, and
proper emergency responses. After you develop the plan, review it with your employees
to make sure everyone knows what to do before, during, and after an emergency. Keep
a copy of your emergency action plan in a convenient location where employees can get
to it, or provide a copy to all employees. If you have 10 or fewer employees, you may
communicate your plan orally.

Additional Considerations for the EAP

A wide variety of emergencies both man-made and natural, may require a workplace to
be evacuated. These emergencies include - fires, explosions, floods, earthquakes,
hurricanes, tornadoes, toxic material releases, radiological and biological accidents, civil
disturbances and workplace violence.

Employers will want their employees to respond differently to these different threats. For
example, employers may want to have employees assemble in one area inside the
workplace if threatened by a tornado or perhaps a chemical spill on an adjacent highway,
but evacuate to an exterior location during a fire. Your plan must identify when and how
employees are to respond to different types of emergencies.

Most employers create maps from floor diagrams with arrows that designate the exit route
assignments. These maps should include locations of exits, assembly points, and
equipment (such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, spill kits) that may be needed in an
emergency. Exit routes should be:

- Clearly marked and well lit,

- Wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel,
- Unobstructed and clear of debris at all times, and
- Unlikely to expose evacuating personnel to additional hazards.

Wardens may be responsible for checking offices, bathrooms, and other spaces before
being the last person to exit an area. They might also be tasked with ensuring that fire
doors are closed when exiting. All employees designated to assist in emergency
evacuation procedures should be trained in the complete workplace layout and various

17
alternative escape routes if the primary evacuation route becomes blocked. Employees
designated to assist in emergencies should be made aware of employees with special
needs (who may require extra assistance during an evacuation), how to use the buddy
system, and any hazardous areas to avoid during an emergency evacuation.

Visitors also should be accounted for following an evacuation and may need additional
assistance when exiting. Some employers have all visitors and contractors sign in when
entering the workplace and use this list when accounting for all persons in the assembly
area. The hosts and/or area wardens, if established, are often tasked with helping these
individuals safely evacuate.

You also may find it beneficial to coordinate the action plan with other employers when
several employers share the worksite, although OSHA standards do not specifically
require this.

Critical Operations Shut Down

Certain equipment and processes must be shut down in stages or over time. In other
instances it is not possible or practical for equipment or certain process to be shut down
under certain emergency situations. This condition, which is not unusual for certain large
manufacturers operating complex processes, is not typical of small enterprises that
normally can turn off equipment or utilities if necessary and evacuate. However some
small enterprises may require designated employees remain behind briefly to operate fire
extinguishers or shut down gas and/or electrical systems and other special equipment
that could be damaged if left operating or create additional hazards to emergency
responders (such as releasing hazardous materials).

Each employer must review their operation and determine whether total and immediate
evacuation is possible for various types of emergencies. The preferred approach, and the
one most often taken by small enterprises, is immediate evacuation of all their employees
when the evacuation alarm is sounded.

If any employees will stay behind, the plan must describe in detail the procedures to be
followed by these employees. All employees remaining behind must be capable of
recognizing when to abandon the operation or task and evacuate themselves before their
egress path is blocked. In small establishments it is common to include in your plan
locations where utilities (such as electrical and gas) can be shut down for all or part of the
facility either by your own employees or by emergency response personnel.

Accounting for Employees After an Evacuation

To ensure the fastest, most accurate accountability of your employees, you may want to
consider including these steps in your emergency action plan:

- Designate assembly areas where employees should gather after evacuating;

- Take a head count after the evacuation. Identify the names and last known
locations of anyone not accounted for and pass them to the official in charge;
- Establish a method for accounting for non-employees such as suppliers and
customers; and

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 - Establish procedures for further evacuation in case the incident expands. This
may consist of sending employees home by normal means or providing them with
transportation to an offsite location.

Design and Construction Requirements for Exit Routes

1910.36 contains requirements for the design and construction of exit routes. It includes
a requirement that exit routes be permanent, addresses fire resistance-ratings of
construction materials used in exit stairways (exits), describes openings into exits, defines
the minimum number of exit routes in workplaces, addresses exit discharges, and
discusses locked exit route doors, and exit route doors. It also addresses the capacity,
height and width of exit routes, and finally, it sets forth requirements for exit routes that
are outside a building.

Definitions:

Exit Route - An exit route is a continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any
point within a workplace to a place of safety.

An exit route consists of three parts:

- Exit access - portion of an exit route that leads to an exit.
- Exit - portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to
provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.
- Exit discharge - part of the exit route that leads directly outside or to a street,
walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside.

Basic Requirements

Each exit route must be a permanent part of the workplace.

An exit must be separated by fire resistant materials. Construction materials used to

separate an exit from other parts of the workplace must have a one-hour fire resistance-
rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories and a two-hour fire resistance-rating if the
exit connects four or more stories.

An exit is permitted to have only those openings necessary to allow access to the exit
from occupied areas of the workplace, or to the exit discharge. An opening into an exit
must be protected by a self-closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes
in an emergency upon the sounding of a fire alarm or employee alarm system. Each fire
door, including its frame and hardware, must be listed or approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory.

Exit Routes

At least two exit routes must be available in a workplace to permit prompt evacuation of
employees and other building occupants during an emergency, except that single exit
route is permitted where the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy,
or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would be able to evacuate

19
safely during an emergency. If the reasonable safety of occupants may be endangered
by the blocking of any single means of egress due to fire or smoke, there shall be at least
two means of egress. Where two means of egress are provided the exit routes must be
located as far away as practical from each other so that if one exit route is blocked by fire
or smoke, employees can evacuate using the second exit route.

More than two exit routes must be available in a workplace if the number of employees,
the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace is such that
all employees would not be able to evacuate safely during an emergency.

Note to paragraph 1910.36(b): For assistance in determining the number of exit routes
necessary for your workplace, consult NFPA 101-2000, Life Safety Code.

Exits must be arranged and maintained so as to provide free and unobstructed egress
from all parts of the building or structure at all times when it is occupied. No lock or
fastening device to prevent free escape from the inside of any building can be installed
except in mental, penal, or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel is
continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in case of fire
or other emergency.

Every exit must be clearly visible or the route to reach it conspicuously indicated in such
a manner that every occupant of every building or structure who is physically and
mentally capable will readily know the direction of escape from any point, and each path
of escape, in its entirety, shall be so arranged or marked that the way to a place of safety
outside is unmistakable.
Any doorway or passageway not constituting an exit or way to reach an exit, but of such
a character as to be subject to being mistaken for an exit, shall be so arranged or marked
as to minimize its possible confusion with an exit and the resultant danger of persons
endeavoring to escape from fire finding themselves trapped in a dead-end space, such
as a cellar or storeroom, from which there is no other way out.

In every building or structure of such size, arrangement, or occupancy that a fire may not
itself provide adequate warning to occupants, fire alarm facilities shall be provided where
necessary to warn occupants of the existence of fire so that they may escape, or to
facilitate the orderly conduct of fire exit drills.

Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public
way, or open space with access to an area outside large enough to accommodate the
building occupants likely to use the exit route.

Exit stairs that continue beyond the level on which the exit discharge is located must be
interrupted at that level by doors, partitions, or other effective means that clearly indicate
the direction of travel leading to the exit discharge.

An exit door must be unlocked from the inside. Employees must be able to open an exit
route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge. A device
such as a panic bar that locks only from the outside is permitted on exit discharge doors.

20
Exit route doors must be free of any device or alarm that could restrict emergency use
of the exit route if the device or alarm fails.

A side-hinged door must be used for all exit doors and for doors to connect any room to
an exit route. The door that connects any room to an exit route must swing out in the
direction of exit travel if the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or
if the room is a high hazard area.

Exit routes must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served and
the capacity of an exit route may not decrease in the direction of exit route travel to the
exit discharge.

Note to paragraph 1910.36(f): Information regarding "Occupant load" is located in NFPA

101-2000, Life Safety Code.

Height and Width

The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches high. Any projection
from the ceiling must not reach a point less than six feet eight inches from the floor.
An exit access must be at least 28 inches wide at all points. Where there is only one exit
access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge must
be at least equal to the width of the exit access.

The width of an exit route must be sufficient to accommodate the maximum permitted
occupant load of each floor served by the exit route. Objects that project into the exit
route must not reduce the width of the exit route to less than the minimum width
requirements for exit routes.

An outdoor exit route must have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard
exists; and it must be covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate along the route, unless
the employer can demonstrate that any snow or ice accumulation will be removed before
it presents a slipping hazard. The outdoor exit route must be reasonably straight and have
smooth, solid, substantially level walkways; and the outdoor exit route must not have a
dead-end that is longer than 20 feet.

Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes

1910.37 includes the safe use of exit routes during an emergency, lighting and marking
exit routes, fire retardant paints, exit routes during construction, repairs, or alterations,
and employee alarm systems.
Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other
decorations and arranged so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard
area, unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from the high hazard area by suitable
partitions or other physical barriers.

21
Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed,
either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route. The exit access must not go
through a room that can be locked, such as a bathroom, to reach an exit or exit
discharge, nor may it lead into a dead-end corridor. Stairs or a ramp must be provided
where the exit route is not substantially level.

Safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency (such as sprinkler

systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting) must be in proper working order at all
times.

Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can
see along the exit route.

Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit."

Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the
exit route door.

If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs
must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit
and exit discharge. Additionally, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at
all times.

Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit (such
as a closet) must be marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign
indicating its actual use.

Each exit sign must be illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux)
by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color. Self-luminous or electroluminescent
signs that have a minimum luminance surface value of at least .06 footlamberts (0.21
cd/m2) are permitted.

Each exit sign must have the word "Exit" in plainly legible letters not less than six inches
high, with the principal strokes of the letters in the word "Exit" not less than three-fourths
of an inch wide.
Fire retardant paints or solutions must be renewed as often as necessary to maintain their
fire retardant properties.

Exit Route Maintenance During Construction, Repairs, or Alterations

During new construction, employees must not occupy a workplace until the required exit
routes are completed and ready for employee use for the portion of the workplace they
occupy. During repairs or alterations, employees must not occupy a workplace unless the
exit routes required by this subpart are available and existing fire protection is maintained,
or until alternate fire protection is furnished that provides an equivalent level of safety.
Employees must not be exposed to hazards of flammable or explosive substances or
equipment used during construction, repairs, or alterations, that are beyond the normal
permissible conditions in the workplace, or that would impede exiting the workplace.

22
Fire Extinguisher Requirements and the EAP
A fire is the most common type of emergency for which small businesses must plan. A
critical decision when planning is whether or not employees should fight a small fire with
a portable fire extinguisher or simply evacuate. Small fires can often be put out quickly
by a well-trained employee with a portable fire extinguisher. However, to do this safely,
the employee must understand the use and limitation of a portable fire extinguisher and
the hazards associated with fighting fires. Evacuation plans that designate or require
some or all of the employees to fight fires with portable fire extinguishers increase the
level of complexity of the plan and the level of training that must be provided employees.
Should employees evacuate or be prepared to fight a small fire? Choosing to evacuate
the workplace rather than providing fire extinguishers for employee use in fighting fires
will most effectively minimize the potential for fire-related injuries to employees. In
addition, training employees to use fire extinguishers and maintaining them requires
considerable resources. However, other factors, such as the availability of a public fire
department or the vulnerability of egress routes, will enter into this decision.

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3

Total evacuation of Designated employees
employees from the are authorized to use
workplace immediately portable fire
when alarm sounds. No extinguishers to fight
one is authorized to use fires. All other
available portable fire employees must
extinguishers. evacuate workplace
immediately when alarm
sounds.
Requirement Requirement
Establish an emergency Establish an emergency
action and fire action and fire
prevention plan and prevention plan and
train employees train employees
accordingly. If fire accordingly. Meet all
extinguishers are left in general fire extinguisher
the workplace, they requirements plus
must be inspected, annually train
tested, and maintained. designated employees
to use fire extinguishers.
Fire extinguishers in the
workplace must be
inspected, tested, and
maintained.
All employees are
authorized to use
portable fire
extinguishers to fight
fires.
Requirement
If any employees will be
evacuating, establish an
emergency action and
fire prevention plan and
train employees
accordingly. Meet all
general fire extinguisher
requirements plus
annually train all
employees to use fire
extinguishers. Fire
extinguishers in the
workplace must be
inspected, tested, and
maintained.

Portable fire extinguishers have two functions: to control or extinguish small or incipient
stage fires and to protect evacuation routes that a fire may block directly or indirectly with

23
smoke or burning/smoldering materials.

To extinguish a fire with a portable extinguisher, a person must have immediate access
to the extinguisher, know how to actuate the unit, and know how to apply the agent
effectively. Attempting to extinguish even a small fire carries some risk. Fires can
increase in size and intensity in seconds, blocking the exit path of the fire fighter and
creating a hazardous atmosphere. In addition, portable fire extinguishers contain a limited
amount of extinguishing agent and can be discharged in a matter of seconds. Therefore,
individuals should attempt to fight only very small or incipient stage fires.

Prior to fighting any fire with a portable fire extinguisher you must perform a risk
assessment that evaluates the fire size, the fire fighters evacuation path, and the
atmosphere in the vicinity of the fire.

Risk Characteristics of incipient Characteristics of fires that

Assessment stage fires or fires that can SHOULD NOT be fought with
Question be extinguished with portable a portable fire extinguisher
fire extinguishers (beyond incipient stage) -
evacuate immediately
Is the fire too The fire is limited to the The fire involves flammable
big? original material ignited, it is solvents, has spread over
contained (such as in a more than 60 square feet, is
waste basket) and has not partially hidden behind a wall
spread to other materials. or ceiling, or can not be
The flames are no higher reached from a standing
than the firefighter's head. position.
Is the air safe The fire has not depleted the Due to smoke and products
to breathe? oxygen in the room and is of combustion, the fire can
producing only small not be fought without
quantities of toxic gases. No respiratory protection.
respiratory protection
equipment is required.
Is the Heat is being generated, but The radiated heat is easily
environment the room temperature is only felt on exposed skin making
too hot or slightly increased. Smoke it difficult to approach within
smoky? may be accumulating on the 10-15 feet of the fire (or the
ceiling, but visibility is good. effective range of the
No special personal extinguisher). One must
protective equipment is crawl on the floor due to heat
required. or smoke. Smoke is quickly
filling the room, decreasing
visibility.
Is there a safe There is a clear evacuation The fire is not contained, and
evacuation path that is behind you as fire, heat, or smoke may
path? you fight the fire. block the evacuation path.

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Fire Extinguisher Use
If fire extinguishers are available for employee use, it is the employer's responsibility to
educate employees on the principles and practices of using a fire extinguisher and the
hazards associated with fighting small or developing fires. This education must be
provided annually and when a new employee is first hired.

Employees who have been designated to use fire extinguishers as part of the emergency
response plan, must be trained on how to use the fire extinguishers appropriately in the
workplace.

Alerting Employees

Once an emergency that requires a response from employees is reported, a system --

typically an alarm system -- must be in place to notify employees. Alarms must be
distinctive and recognized by all employees as a signal to evacuate the work area or
perform other actions identified in your emergency action plan. The alarm must be
capable of being perceived above ambient noise and light levels. Sequences of horn
blows or different types of alarms (bells, horns, etc.) can be used to signal different
responses or actions from employees. Ideally, alarms will be able to be heard, seen, or
otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace including those who may be blind or
deaf. Otherwise, floor wardens or others should be tasked with ensuring all employees
are notified. You might want to consider providing an auxiliary power supply to your alarm
system in the event of an electrical failure. Consider making available an emergency
communications system, such as a public address system, for broadcasting emergency
information to employees.

Automatic Fire Detection Systems

Automatic fire detection systems, when combined with other elements of an emergency
response and evacuation plan, can significantly reduce property damage, personal
injuries, and loss of life from fire in the workplace. Their main function is to quickly identify
a developing fire and alert building occupants and emergency response personnel before
extensive damage occurs. Automatic fire detection systems do this by using electronic
sensors to detect the smoke, heat, or flames from a fire and providing an early warning.

If your workplace uses a fire detection system that was designed and installed to meet
the fire protection requirements of a specific OSHA standard, it must also comply with the
"Fire Detection Systems" standard 1910.164. In other words, if an OSHA standard
specifically states that you must install a fire protection system, then you are required to
follow this standard. For example, if you install an automatic fire detection system to
satisfy the alarm and signaling requirement of the "Fixed Extinguishing Systems"
standard 1910.160, then you are also required to comply with the "Fire Detection
Systems" standard 1910.164. But if you install a system only for insurance purposes and
not to satisfy any OSHA regulation, you do not need to comply with this standard.
However, employers not required to comply may find that the standard offers guidance
that may permit them to more effectively protect employees and property in the event of
a fire.

25
 Medical Services and First Aid

Standard Number: 1910.151

(a)The employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and
consultation on matters of plant health.
(b) In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace
which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be
adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.
(c) Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive
materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be
provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) interpretation of the

First Aid standard, 29 CFR 1910.151

Question: "Must an employer have individuals trained to render first aid?"

Answer: Yes. The OSHA requirement at 29 CFR 1910.151(b) states, "In the absence of
an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the
treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to
render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available."
OSHA's regulation does not set specific response time requirements for the term "near
proximity", however, in areas where accidents resulting in suffocation, severe bleeding,
or other life-threatening or permanently disabling injury or illness are likely, a 3 to 4
minute response time, from time of injury to time of administering first aid, is required.
In other circumstances, i.e., where a life-threatening or permanently disabling injury is an
unlikely outcome of an accident, a longer response time, such as 15 minutes, is
acceptable. The rationale for requiring a 4 minute response time is brain death when the
heart or breathing has stopped for that period of time.
Question: "Would an employer be in violation of OSHA's First Aid standard if the
employer were to issue a policy which recommends that employees call "911" in
emergency situations?"
Answer: The purpose of first aid is to give injured employees some level of medical
attention as quickly as possible to bridge the gap between the accident and full medical
treatment. Therefore, the rendering of first aid should be in addition to calling "911."

Class K Fire Extinguishers from NFPA 10 - 2002

A.4.3.2 Fire extinguishers for cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats)
traditionally followed Table 5.3.1 for extra (high) hazard, requiring a minimum 40-B rated
sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate dry chemical extinguisher. The evolution
of high-efficiency cooking appliances and the change to hotter-burning vegetable
shortening has created a more severe fire hazard. Testing has shown that wet chemical

26
extinguishers have several times the cooking fire extinguishing capability of a minimum
40-B rated sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate dry chemical extinguisher,
which has prompted the creation of a new classification and a new listing test protocol.
The test protocol is found in ANSI/UL-711, Standard for Rating and Fire Testing of Fire
Extinguishers, 1995.
See NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial
Cooking Operations, for further information. Class K fire extinguishers equipped with
“extended wand type” discharge devices that can permit subsurface injection of wet
chemical extinguishing agents into hot cooking media are not safe for use. Subsurface
injection causes a thermodynamic reaction comparable to an explosion, which can cause
serious injury or death and can contribute to the rapid spread of fire.
Fire extinguishers with a Class B rating can extinguish a fire involving combustible
cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats). Only fire extinguishers having a Class
K rating are recommended for use on cooking-grease fires.

D.4.7 Wet Chemical Extinguisher. Fire extinguishers of this type are available in hand
portable models of 1.5 gal (6 L) and 2 1 /2 gal (9.46 L). The extinguishing agent can be
comprised of, but is not limited to, solutions of water and potassium acetate, potassium
carbonate, potassium citrate, or a combination of the aforementioned chemicals (which
are conductors of electricity. The liquid agent typically has a pH of 9.0 or less. On Class
A fires, the agent works as a coolant. On Class K fires (cooking-oil fires), the agent forms
a foam blanket to prevent reignition. The water content of the agent aids in cooling and
reducing the temperature of the hot oils and fats below their autoignition point. The agent,
when discharged as a fine spray directly at cooking appliances, reduces the possibility
of splashing hot grease and does not present a shock hazard to the operator. In recent
years, the development of high-efficiency cooking equipment with high-energy input rates
and the wide-spread use of vegetable oils with high autoignition temperatures has
highlighted the need for a new Class K fire extinguisher. The wet chemical extinguisher
was the first extinguisher to qualify to the new Class K requirements. In addition to
offering rapid fire extinguishment, a thick foam blanket is formed to prevent reignition
while cooling both the appliance and the hot cooking oil. Wet chemical extinguishers also
offer improved visibility during fire fighting as well as minimizing clean-up afterwards. (See
Figure D.4.7(a) and Figure D.4.7(b).)
4.3.2 Class K Fire Extinguishers for Cooking Oil Fires. Fire extinguishers provided for the
protection of cooking appliances that use combustible cooking media (vegetable or
animal oils and fats) shall be listed and labeled for Class K fires. Class K fire
extinguishers manufactured after January 1, 2002, shall not be equipped with “extended
wand–type” discharge devices.
4.3.2.3 Existing dry chemical extinguishers without a Class K listing that were installed
for the protection of Class K hazards shall be replaced with an extinguisher having Class
K listing when the dry chemical extinguishers become due for either a 6-year
maintenance or hydrostatic test.
5.7 Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class K Fires.
5.7.1 Class K fire extinguishers shall be provided for hazards where there is a potential
for fires involving combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).

27
5.7.2 Maximum travel distance shall not exceed 30 ft (9.15 m)from the hazard to the
extinguishers.
F.4.1 Combustible Cooking Media Fires. Combustible cooking media fires require the
use of extinguishers that will extinguish the fire from a safe distance, without causing
splashing of the burning grease or permitting reignition of the fire. This can be achieved
by a special purpose home fire extinguisher listed for residential grease fires or an
automatic fire extinguisher unit listed for residential range top protection. An ABC dry
chemical extinguisher is not the extinguisher of choice because of the possibility of
reignition. Other agents can have limited effectiveness. Water, AFFF, or FFFP can cause
dangerous splashing of burning grease and can cause fire to spread.

28
• Part Number: 1910
• Part Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards
• Subpart: E
• Subpart Title: Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention
Plans
• Standard Number: 1910.36
• Title: Design and construction requirements for exit routes.

1910.36(a)
Basic requirements. Exit routes must meet the following design and construction
requirements:
1910.36(a)(1)
An exit route must be permanent. Each exit route must be a permanent part of the
workplace.
1910.36(a)(2)
An exit must be separated by fire resistant materials. Construction materials used to
separate an exit from other parts of the workplace must have a one-hour fire resistance-
rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories and a two-hour fire resistance-rating if the
exit connects four or more stories.
1910.36(a)(3)
Openings into an exit must be limited. An exit is permitted to have only those openings
necessary to allow access to the exit from occupied areas of the workplace, or to the exit
discharge. An opening into an exit must be protected by a self-closing fire door that remains
closed or automatically closes in an emergency upon the sounding of a fire alarm or
employee alarm system. Each fire door, including its frame and hardware, must be listed or
approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Section 1910.155(c)(3)(iv)(A) of this
part defines "listed" and § 1910.7 of this part defines a "nationally recognized testing
laboratory."
1910.36(b)
The number of exit routes must be adequate.
1910.36(b)(1)
Two exit routes. At least two exit routes must be available in a workplace to permit prompt
evacuation of employees and other building occupants during an emergency, except as
allowed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. The exit routes must be located as far away as
practical from each other so that if one exit route is blocked by fire or smoke, employees can
evacuate using the second exit route.
..1910.36(b)(2)

1910.36(b)(2)
More than two exit routes. More than two exit routes must be available in a workplace if
the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the
workplace is such that all employees would not be able to evacuate safely during an
emergency.
1910.36(b)(3)
A single exit route. A single exit route is permitted where the number of employees, the
size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all
employees would be able to evacuate safely during an emergency.

Note to paragraph 1910.36(b): For assistance in determining the number of exit routes
necessary for your workplace, consult NFPA 101-2000, Life Safety Code.
1910.36(c)
Exit discharge.
1910.36(c)(1)
Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public
way, or open space with access to the outside.
1910.36(c)(2)
The street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space to which an exit discharge leads
must be large enough to accommodate the building occupants likely to use the exit route.
1910.36(c)(3)
Exit stairs that continue beyond the level on which the exit discharge is located must be
interrupted at that level by doors, partitions, or other effective means that clearly indicate
the direction of travel leading to the exit discharge.
..1910.36(d)

1910.36(d)
An exit door must be unlocked.
1910.36(d)(1)
Employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys,
tools, or special knowledge. A device such as a panic bar that locks only from the outside is
permitted on exit discharge doors.
1910.36(d)(2)
Exit route doors must be free of any device or alarm that could restrict emergency use of the
exit route if the device or alarm fails.
1910.36(d)(3)
An exit route door may be locked from the inside only in mental, penal, or correctional
facilities and then only if supervisory personnel are continuously on duty and the employer
has a plan to remove occupants from the facility during an emergency.
1910.36(e)
A side-hinged exit door must be used.
1910.36(e)(1)
A side-hinged door must be used to connect any room to an exit route.
1910.36(e)(2)
The door that connects any room to an exit route must swing out in the direction of exit
travel if the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or if the room is a high
hazard area (i.e., contains contents that are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or explode).
1910.36(f)
The capacity of an exit route must be adequate.
1910.36(f)(1)
Exit routes must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served.
1910.36(f)(2)
The capacity of an exit route may not decrease in the direction of exit route travel to the exit
discharge.

Note to paragraph 1910.36(f): Information regarding "Occupant load" is located in NFPA

101-2000, Life Safety Code.
..1910.36(g)

1910.36(g)
An exit route must meet minimum height and width requirements.
1910.36(g)(1)
The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches (2.3 m) high. Any
projection from the ceiling must not reach a point less than six feet eight inches (2.0 m) from
the floor.
1910.36(g)(2)
An exit access must be at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points. Where there is only
one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge
must be at least equal to the width of the exit access.
1910.36(g)(3)
The width of an exit route must be sufficient to accommodate the maximum permitted
occupant load of each floor served by the exit route.
1910.36(g)(4)
Objects that project into the exit route must not reduce the width of the exit route to less
than the minimum width requirements for exit routes.
1910.36(h)
An outdoor exit route is permitted.
1910.36(h)(1)
The outdoor exit route must have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard
exists;
1910.36(h)(2)
The outdoor exit route must be covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate along the route,
unless the employer can demonstrate that any snow or ice accumulation will be removed
before it presents a slipping hazard;
1910.36(h)(3)
The outdoor exit route must be reasonably straight and have smooth, solid, substantially
level walkways; and
1910.36(h)(4)
The outdoor exit route must not have a dead-end that is longer than 20 feet (6.2 m).
[FR 67 67962, Nov. 7, 2002]

• Part Number: 1910

• Part Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards
• Subpart: E
• Subpart Title: Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention
Plans
• Standard Number: 1910.37
• Title: Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit
routes.

1910.37(a)
The danger to employees must be minimized.
1910.37(a)(1)
Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other
decorations.
1910.37(a)(2)
Exit routes must be arranged so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard
area, unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from the high hazard area by suitable
partitions or other physical barriers.
1910.37(a)(3)
Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed, either
permanently or temporarily, within the exit route. The exit access must not go through a
room that can be locked, such as a bathroom, to reach an exit or exit discharge, nor may it
lead into a dead-end corridor. Stairs or a ramp must be provided where the exit route is not
substantially level.
1910.37(a)(4)
Safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency (e.g., sprinkler systems,
alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting) must be in proper working order at all times.
1910.37(b)
Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate.
1910.37(b)(1)
Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see
along the exit route.
1910.37(b)(2)
Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit."
1910.37(b)(3)
Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the exit
route door.
..1910.37(b)(4)
1910.37(b)(4)
If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must
be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit
discharge. Additionally, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times.
1910.37(b)(5)
Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be
marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use
(e.g., closet).
1910.37(b)(6)
Each exit sign must be illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by
a reliable light source and be distinctive in color. Self-luminous or electroluminescent signs
that have a minimum luminance surface value of at least .06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m2) are
permitted.
1910.37(b)(7)
Each exit sign must have the word "Exit" in plainly legible letters not less than six inches
(15.2 cm) high, with the principal strokes of the letters in the word "Exit" not less than three-
fourths of an inch (1.9 cm) wide.
1910.37(c)
The fire retardant properties of paints or solutions must be maintained. Fire
retardant paints or solutions must be renewed as often as necessary to maintain their fire
retardant properties.
1910.37(d)
Exit routes must be maintained during construction, repairs, or alterations.
1910.37(d)(1)
During new construction, employees must not occupy a workplace until the exit routes
required by this subpart are completed and ready for employee use for the portion of the
workplace they occupy.
1910.37(d)(2)
During repairs or alterations, employees must not occupy a workplace unless the exit routes
required by this subpart are available and existing fire protections are maintained, or until
alternate fire protection is furnished that provides an equivalent level of safety.
1910.37(d)(3)
Employees must not be exposed to hazards of flammable or explosive substances or
equipment used during construction, repairs, or alterations, that are beyond the normal
permissible conditions in the workplace, or that would impede exiting the workplace.
1910.37(e)
An employee alarm system must be operable. Employers must install and maintain an
operable employee alarm system that has a distinctive signal to warn employees of fire or
other emergencies, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time
to provide adequate warning to them. The employee alarm system must comply with §
1910.165.
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 45 FR 60703, Sept. 12, 1980; 67 FR 67963,
Nov. 7, 2002]