GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS Fire Extinguisher Plan Policy In accordance with the regulations established by the United States Department of Labor pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the North Carolina Safety and Health Administration Fire Extinguisher Standard, 1910.157, Guilford County Schools shall have in effect a Fire Extinguisher Program. It is the policy of Guilford County Schools to provide a safe work place for all employees. This is primarily achieved by the prevention of accidents and incidents which could impact heath and safety. This Fire Extinguisher Program has been developed to provide a rapid first response to incipient stage fires. This response can protect both employees and facilities against significant injury or damage. I PURPOSE It is the purpose of the Guilford County Schools to provide fire extinguishers in all facilities to enable trained employees to control and extinguish incipient stage fires. Extinguishers are to be placed in compliance with regulations. II APPLICATION This program applies to all facilities and to all employees who have been trained to properly use a fire extinguisher. III REGULATION Federal and (STATE) Occupational and Safety Administration regulation 29 CFR 1910.157. Guilford County Schools has established and implemented a Crisis Management and Emergency Handbook requiring immediate and total evacuation of employees upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal and that policy includes an Emergency Action Plan and a Fire Prevention Plan meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.38 1
IV. PROCEDURE A. Selection and Distribution 1. Guilford County Schools selects and distributes portable fire extinguishers throughout the facilities based upon the following criteria: TYPE EXTINGUISHERS AND USE MAXIMUM DISTANCE FEET Class A - Class A fire - Ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cloth and some rubber and plastic materials Class B - Class B fire - Flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, greases and similar materials and some rubber and plastic materials Class C - Class C fire -- Energized electrical equipment requiring the use of electrically non-conducting extinguishing media Class D - Class D fire - Combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium 75 feet 50 feet Based on A and B patterns 75 feet 2. The location of all fire extinguishers will be placed on the Fire Equipment Plot Plan for the Site. The Fire Extinguisher Locations (Attachment 1) will be included in the Site s Emergency Response Plan. 3. The location of all fire extinguishers are to be reviewed annually by the Site Manager. 4. Location changes will also be made based upon feedback from drills, incidents and employee input from the Guilford County Fire Marshals Inspection or Insurance Carrier Inspection. B. Inspection, Maintenance and Testing 1. Fire extinguishers are to be visually inspected monthly. The inspection is the responsibility of each Site Manager or designee. 2
2. The visual inspection of a fire extinguisher will consist of inspecting for proper pressure (typically in the green area of the gauge), the presence of all components such as pull pins, seals, tags, nozzle not being obstructed and the lack of visible external damage to any components. The inspection tag shall be signed and dated by the inspector. 3. The results of the monthly inspection will be recorded on the Fire Extinguisher Inspection Form (Attachment 2). Any fire extinguisher found deficient will be noted on the form and taken out of service. 4. A replacement fire extinguisher will be requested by the site by submitting a Work Order Request to the Guilford County Schools Maintenance Department. A fully charged fire extinguisher will be delivered to the site and substituted for any fire extinguisher removed from service. 5. An annual maintenance inspection will be conducted on each fire extinguisher per the manufacturer s recommendations. These inspections are to be conducted by either a qualified employee or a certified outside contract firm. The Fire Extinguisher Inspection Form (Attachment 2) should be used and marked ANNUAL INSPECTION. 6. Any identified defective extinguishers will be taken out of service and replaced. 7. The annual inspection records are to be maintained at the site by the Site Manager and a copy forwarded to the Guilford County Schools Maintenance Department. These inspection records are to be retained for at least one year. 8. Stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12 year hydrostatic test will be emptied and subjected to applicable maintenance procedures every 6 years. The 6 year cycle begins from the date of hydrostatic testing or recharging. C. Hydrostatic Testing 1. All hydrostatic testing is to be performed by a qualified fire extinguisher company contracted to Guilford County Schools. 3
2. The testing will be conducted according to the intervals set below: TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER TEST INTERVAL (YRS) Soda Ash (Stainless Steel Shell) 5 Cartridge operated water and/or antifreeze 5 Stored water pressure and/or antifreeze 5 Wetting agent 5 Foam (Stainless Steel Shell) 5 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) 5 Loaded steam 5 Dry Chemical with stainless steel 5 Carbon Dioxide 5 Dry chemical, stored pressure with mild steel, brazed brass or 12 aluminum shells Dry chemical, cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shells 12 Halon 1211 12 Halon 1301 12 Dry powder, cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shells 12 3. Testing will also be conducted if one or more of the following conditions exist: a. The unit has been repaired by soldering, welding, brazing or the use of patching compounds. b. When the cylinder or shell treads are damaged. c. When there is corrosion that has caused pitting, including corrosion under removable nameplate assemblies. d. When a calcium Chloride extinguishing agent has been used in a stainless steel shell. 4. Testing will also occur if there is any new evidence of corrosion or mechanical damage to an extinguisher. 5. In addition to external visual examination, an internal examination of cylinders and shell will be made prior to hydraulic testing. 6. Testing will be performed on extinguisher hose assemblies which are equipped with a shut-off nozzles at the discharge end of the hose. The test interval will be the same as the extinguisher. 4
7. Extinguisher shells, cylinder, or cartridges which fail a hydrostatic pressure test are to be removed from service. 8. Records of all hydrostatic testing results are to be supplied by the vendor and retained by the Guilford County Schools Maintenance Department indicating that the extinguishers were tested in accordance with the schedule on page 3. 9. The record will consist of the date of the test, the signature of the tester, and the identification number of each extinguisher. These records will be retained until the next hydrostatic test or whenever the fire extinguisher comes out of service, whichever comes first. 10. Hydrostatic testing methods and procedures are to be performed according to information and methods found in 29 CFR 1910.157 (f). D. Training and Education 1. The Site Manager will be responsible for the training described below: a. Employees in areas where fire extinguishers have been provided for general use will be educated on the general principles of fire extinguishers and the general hazards of incipient stage fire fighting. b. This training will be provided upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter using hands on methods. c. Employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency response plan will be trained in the use of the appropriate equipment using hands on methods. d. This training will be provided upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter. 5
ATTACHMENT 1 FIRE EXTINGUISHER LOCATIONS SITE: DATE: NUMBER LOCATION TYPE 6
ATTACHMENT 2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSPECTION SITE: DATE: INSPECTED BY: NUMBER PRESSURE (1) EOUIPMENT (2) APPEARANCE (3) STATUS (4) (1) PRESSURE - Is pressure in the green zone indicating adequate pressure? Yes or No (2) EQUIPMENT - Are gauges, nozzles, valves, etc.., on the extinguisher? Yes or No (3) APPEARANCE - Does the equipment appear proper (no damage, corrosion, etc.) Yes or No (4) STATUS - If the answer is Yes for the above three items, the status is OK. If one or more is NO, the Status in NOT and the extinguishers should be removed from service and/or the condition corrected 7