CHAPTER 15: FIRE PREVENTION & AWARENESS POLICY

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 15: FIRE PREVENTION & AWARENESS POLICY

2 PURPOSE The fire prevention plan provides information and procedures to minimize the occurrence of an accidental fire at the job site or office, and an efficient method for handling a fire. Training under this program will be conducted prior to initial assignment and at least annually thereafter. SCOPE This plan applies to all office and site locations. The safety director or job site superintendent is directly responsible for this fire prevention plan and the accumulation of combustible materials. GENERAL PROGRAM This program will identify the following: Potential fire hazards, their proper handling and storage, potential ignition sources, control procedures, and fire protection equipment. Names or titles of persons responsible for controlling the accumulation of flammable or combustible waste materials. Housekeeping procedures that control accumulation of flammable and combustible materials. Proper maintenance of equipment and systems installed in the workplace to prevent fires. A prevention plan and a training system to inform employees of fire hazards. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS Materials Class A: Wood, paper, textiles, and any carbonaceous materials. Specific materials include pallets, polyethylene, cardboard, packaging, office furniture, and supplies, etc. Class B: Flammable Liquids. Specific materials: gasoline, diesel fuel, paint and paint thinner, cleaning fluid, etc. Class C: Electrical fires. Electricity can start fires and also sustain fires as the insulation burns. All electrical devices should be grounded and inspected per "Electrical Safety." Gases: Gases generally kept compressed in cylinders can also be flammable or intensify a fire. Specific materials include propane, acetylene, oxygen, etc. Compressed cylinders should be handled according to the safety manual for compresses gases. Ignition Sources - Any open source of fire or sparks such as smoking, matches, welding, burning, demolition impacts, electrical shorts, burners, engines, etc. can could combustion and fire hazards. Also any heat sources heaters, heat exchangers, boilers, ovens, process pipes, equipment, etc. Handling - Materials will be handled in such a way to alleviate any spills or mess, proper ventilation will be required, and proper grounding to alleviate static electricity will be used. Storage - Flammable liquids will only be stored in approved containers. Portable tanks will only be approved containers and limited to the maximum allowable size. All quantities of flammable liquids will be minimized to limit hazards. When storage is necessary, fire cabinets will be utilized where possible. Grounding & Bonding- Transfer of flammable liquids will not be performed unless the containers are properly grounded and bonded to prevent a static charge. HOUSEKEEPING AND PROPER USE OF COMBUSTIBLES All flammable liquid will be store in their specific location being the fire cabinet or outside storage area. When these materials are used, they must be promptly returned to this location. During use spill will be avoided and lids keep in place when practical. 250 Revised 7/13

3 Flammable waste such as oily rags, paint rags, contaminated paper products, etc. will be disposed of in a metal bucket with a lid. This waste will not be allowed to accumulate in excess of the container capacity. It will be properly disposed of. No large volume of paper products will be allowed to accumulate in one area All files should be stored in metal cabinets when possible. Prior to any operation involving an open source of ignition, the area will be cleaned of all combustible. Any combustible which cannot be moved or cleaned will be protected. Gasoline will not be used as a cleaning agent. Any spilled flammable liquids will be immediately cleaned up and disposed of properly. FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT Fire extinguisher will be conspicuously located throughout the work area. These locations will have unobstructed access. Portable extinguishers are subject to monthly visual inspections and an annual maintenance check. Fire protection equipment training is covered in detail in the Safety Manual section 3 training under "Fire safety principals, Fire Extinguisher, Fire type and Hazards including fire fighting". Any employee expected or anticipated to use the fire extinguisher must complete the above-mentioned training as part of the "Fire Prevention Program. PURPOSE FIRE EXTINGUISHER/FIRE FIGHTING The fire extinguisher/firefighting plan provides information and procedures to minimize the occurrence of an accidental fire at the job site or office locations, and an efficient method for handling a fire. SCOPE The safety director or job site superintendent is directly responsible for this plan, which is part of the "Fire Prevention Plan," and applies to all office and site locations. GENERAL PROGRAM This program identifies the following: Location requirements for fire fighting equipment. Names or titles of persons responsible for the equipment and training. General information regarding classification of fire, causes of combustion, extinguishing fires, and the risks involved. Proper training on the use of extinguishers. Proper maintenance of equipment and systems installed in the work place to prevent fires. A training system to inform employees of fire hazards and prevention plan. REQUIREMENTS Suitable fire control devices shall be available at locations where flammables are stored, with the following specifications: One for each 3000 sq. feet of floor area. Placed within thirty (30) feet of each open flame operation when combustibles or flammable liquids are present or near. Located on each job site in or near the site trailer or toolboxes. All fire control devices will be located in an area where access will be safe and unobstructed. FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT 251 Revised 7/13

4 Employees will be notified of the location of the extinguishers along with the location of any client-provided fire control devices. The equipment will be properly maintained and inspected to assure proper function should a fire occur. Annually, equipment will undergo testing and inspection by a certified fire extinguisher company. Successful inspection will be documented by a certificate attached directly to the fire protection device. Should the extinguisher not pass inspection, the device will be recharged to the operating range, repaired, or replaced. Any employee expected or anticipated to use the fire extinguisher will be instructed on its proper use. Typical extinguisher instructions are as follows: SELECTION 1. Pull "ring pin" from handle. 2. Stay back 8 feet. 3. Aim at base of fire. 4. Squeeze lever, sweep side to side. Selection of the proper type of extinguisher should be made according to the attached table. FIRE FIGHTING If a fire starts, all procedures described in the "Emergency Action Plan" should be followed. 1. Discovering the Emergency 2. Sound the Alarm 3. Containing the Emergency 4. Extinguish Fires 5. Pre-Evacuation 6. Evacuation If the fire can be controlled with little risk, then and only then can the following steps be taken to combat the fire. 1. Locate and select the right type of extinguisher. Note: Carbon Dioxide should not be used in confined spaces. 2. Use equipment correctly as described on the label. 3. Confirm fire is completely out. 4. Inform any emergency crews the situation is in Control. 5. Make equipment ready for re-use. FIRE WATCH INSTRUCTIONS Because of the important responsibilities you assume as a fire watch, you should be thoroughly familiar with the duties. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. Your primary responsibilities are the following: 1. Prevent ignition of any flammable material. 2. Should a fire occur, turn on the fire alarm, and then attempt to extinguish the fire. 3. Notify your immediate supervisor. 4. Maintain the conditions and requirements listed on the Fire and Safety Permit. 5. STOP THE JOB if you observe any conditions you consider to be hazardous. The circumstances and conditions of the job determine what the safety requirements and fire watch duties will be. However, the following are basic to all jobs: 252 Revised 7/13

5 1. You must secure an appropriate type of extinguisher from the maintenance tool room and have it at the job site during work. DO NOT CHARGE the extinguisher until the event a fire. At job completion, return the extinguisher. 2. Do not leave the job site while welding or spark-producing operations are in progress. If other duties require you to leave the job site, you must first STOP THE JOB. 3. Before and during the job, survey the entire area for potential release of flammable liquids or vapors. Always be on the lookout for possible operating upsets. Make sure that operators at nearby units are aware of the work in progress. 4. Prevent the removal of samples, and the venting or opening of piping or equipment in the immediate area of the hot work. Such action will release flammable liquids or vapors. 5. Be certain that you understand how to shut down all welding equipment in the event of a flammable liquid or vapor release. 6. Determine the exact location of fire fighting equipment in the immediate area. Be certain you know how to operate this equipment. 7. If you have any questions regarding the job, check with Operations or Health and Safety before starting the job. 8. BE ON THE ALERT. Try to anticipate and prevent any potentially hazardous conditions. Fire Watch Signature Date 253 Revised 7/13