This document is intended to provide basic safety guidelines for the Physical Plant Department at Community College of Allegheny County. The information provided in this guide may vary by site. Version 1.0
Table of Contents I. Objective II. Assignment of Responsibilities III. Fire Prevention IV. Fire Suppression System V. Portable Fire Extinguishers VI. Fire Emergency Procedures VII. Safety Training & Drills Attachments: A. Training Outline B. Training Sign-in Sheet 2
I. OBJECTIVE Community College of Allegheny County The major goal of Community College of Allegheny County in creating a Compliance program is to minimize the number of accidents and injuries due to workplace fires. Because we recognize fires pose a significant risk, we have committed ourselves to doing as much as is practically possible to protect employees from the dangers of workplace fires. II. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES A. Plan Administrator The Director of Safety and Security shall manage and update the Workplace Plan for Community College of Allegheny County and maintain all records pertaining to the plan. B. Management Community College of Allegheny County will implement this plan and provide safe equipment that, when used properly, will minimize or eliminate risk of occupational injuries and deaths. Community College of Allegheny County management will ensure proper adherence to this plan through periodic audits. C. Supervisors Supervisors shall themselves follow and ensure their employees are trained in and follow proper fire safety procedures as outlined in this plan. D. Employees Employees are responsible for adhering to proper fire safety procedures as described in this plan. Employees are also responsible for reporting all fire hazards to the Director of Safety and Security immediately. III. FIRE PREVENTION Stopping unwanted fires from occurring is the most efficient way to handle them. A. Fire Hazards To be able to stop unwanted fires, Community College of Allegheny County has first identified the major fire hazards (fuel sources) associated with the normal use and occupancy of the premises. The Director of Safety and Security is the person who is responsible for seeing that this listing is completed. The listing form that is used allows us to record the following information about these fire hazards: 1. Name of fuel source 2. Quantity stored on premise 3. Location(s) of item 4. Type of fire protection equipment or extinguishing agent 5. Special extinguishing or other information 3
Fire Prevention, continued B. Housekeeping Procedures Poor housekeeping procedures are often a primary or contributing cause to workplace fires. Community College of Allegheny County has established procedures for regular storage and cleanup of flammable waste. The Director of Safety and Security is the person who is responsible for seeing that this listing is completed. The listing form that is used allows us to record the following information about flammable waste and the associated housekeeping procedures: 1. Name of flammable waste 2. Quantity stored on premise 3. Location(s) of waste 4. Person responsible for handling, packaging and disposal 5. Methods of handling, packaging and disposal C. Ignition Sources Fires require sources of ignition. To prevent fires, Community College of Allegheny County has listed sources of ignition. The Director of Safety and Security is responsible for making sure this listing is completed. The listing form used allows us to record the following information about ignition sources: 1. Ignition source 2. Location 3. Method used to control ignition source 4. Person responsible for monitoring ignition source IV. FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM Fire suppression systems should be installed in areas of greatest fire hazard and in areas of great potential for loss of life or property. The Director of Safety and Security is responsible for seeing that this listing is completed. The listing form used allows us to record the following information about fire suppression systems: 1. Location/areas covered 2. Type of extinguishing agent 3. Location of shut-off The fire suppression system is maintained by the Director of Safety and Security. Any malfunctions of the fire suppression system should be reported immediately. V. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS The use of portable fire extinguishers should only be done by employees who have been trained to use them. Employees attempting to extinguish fires should only do so within the guidelines taught them in training. Portable fire extinguishers are maintained by the Director of Safety and Security. Any damaged or used fire extinguishers should be reported immediately. 4
VI. FIRE EMERGENCY PROCEEDURES During an actual fire emergency, it is important that employees understand Community College of Allegheny County procedures. These procedures are outlined below: Activate the fire alarm or contact 911. Assist others in exiting the building. Use the nearest clear exit route as marked by the site map at the end of this plan. Attempt to extinguish. Assemble at the designated location outside of the building. Refer to the Emergency Guideline Manual for further information. VII. SAFETY TRAINING AND DRILLS A. Training In order to make sure our employees are appropriately trained before a fire emergency, they are given training on the following subjects: 1. Fire and its hazards 2. How fire works 3. Preventing fires 4. Classes of fires 5. Preparing for a fire emergency 6. Procedures during a fire emergency B. Community College of Allegheny County periodically provides emergency drill practices. The frequency of these drills is determined at the discretion of management. The Director of Safety and Security is responsible for overseeing these training and drill activities. They will also make sure that new employees in our facilities have had the appropriate training and that each employee undergoes periodic retraining as necessary. 5
Training Outline - I. INTRODUCTION A. Each year in the U.S., 70-80,000 workplaces experience a serious fire. About 200 employees per year die in these fires, and another 5,000 are injured. Property losses from workplace fires exceed $2 billion annually. B. Approximately 15 percent of workplace fires are a result of catastrophic failure of equipment with the other 85 percent caused by factors related to human behavior. By being proactive and utilizing a fire protection plan, participating in fire safety training and using caution at all times, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of a fire in your workplace. In addition, with a simple emergency plan as well as proper detection and fire extinguishers, you can greatly reduce the chances of injury or serious loss should a fire occur. II. HOW FIRE WORKS A. All fires involve a chemical reaction between 3 elements. 1. Heat 2. Fuel 3. Oxygen B. Since all fires are composed of heat, fuel and oxygen, the chemical reaction, or fire, will continue until one of three things occurs: 1. Oxygen is depleted 2. The heat is removed 3. The fuel is consumed C. Fires start with heat, which serves as a source of ignition. Heat can be generated by many things, including: 1. Open flames 2. Static electricity 3. Cutting and welding operations 4. Faulty electrical circuits 5. Unshielded hot surfaces 6. Friction 7. Chemical reactions D. Fuel can include: 1. Combustible solids like paper, wood and some metals 2. Flammable liquids and gases 6
III. PREVENTING FIRES A. General 1. Although employers are only required to have a Fire Prevention Plan when the applicable OSHA standard requires it, OSHA strongly recommends that all employers have a Fire Prevention Plan. 2. The Fire Prevention Plan should be made available to you in writing if there are 11 or more employees at your workplace. If there are 10 or fewer employees, your employer may choose to discuss this plan with you verbally. 3. For CCAC s Fire Prevention Plan, please review the Emergency Guidelines Manual. B. Common workplace causes of fires 1. Electrical neglect and misuse of wiring and electrical appliances, especially space heaters 2. Chemical including gasoline, fuels, paints, solvents and manufacturing chemicals 3. Hot Works welding, torching or other tasks that emit sparks 4. Housekeeping accumulation of garbage in work or storage areas and improper storage of flammable substances 5. Smoking discarded cigarettes or smoking in inappropriate areas IV. CLASSES OF FIRES There are five different classes of fires in the United States: Class A Most common and use ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and many plastics as their fuel Usually the easiest to contain May also be classified by their ability to produce ash Class B Combustible fuel fires that involve flammable liquids, oils, greases, gases, tars, oil-based liquids and alcohol Water should never be used on this type of fire. It will only cause the fuel to splash and possibly spread. Class C Involve energized electrical wiring and equipment. Class C fires are unique because as soon as the electricity is eliminated, they become one of the other classes of fire. Water should not be used to control this type of fire. Since water can carry a current, the risk of electrocution is highly possible. Class D Involve combustible metals like sodium, titanium, magnesium, potassium, aluminum and lithium Most of these metals usually burn at higher temperatures and can react violently with water or other chemical agents. Can be controlled with dry powder extinguishing agents based on sodium chloride, other salts and also clean, dry sand. Dry powder should not be confused with dry chemical. Trying to extinguish a metal fire with water, carbon dioxide and dry chemical extinguishers will result in spreading and accelerating this type of fire. 7
Classes Of Fires, continued Class K Involves cooking and vegetable oils, grease and fats Considered a sub-category of a class B fire, they typically burn at higher temperatures and have been given their own classification. Can be controlled with either a wet or dry chemical extinguisher. V. PREPARING FOR A FIRE EMERGENCY A. Fire and/or smoke alarms 1. Installed in all areas of the building 2. Checked regularly for proper operation B. Exits 1. Properly identified 2. Never to be blocked or locked (so as to stop exit) 3. Never block fire doors open to prevent closure C. Evacuation Plan & Drills 1. Although employers are required to have an emergency action plan only when the applicable OSHA standard requires it, OSHA strongly recommends that all employers have an Emergency Action Plan. OSHA guidelines for an Emergency Action Plan can be found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 Just like the Fire Prevention Plan, this plan should be made available to you in writing if there are 11 or more employees at your workplace. If there are 10 or fewer employees, your employer may choose to discuss this plan with you verbally. D. Fire Extinguishers 1. Extinguishing agents & their uses Water use on class A only removes heat Dry Chemical inhibit the chemical reaction of a fire a) Regular Dry Chemical: use on B, C or K (They are not used as much for class K fires anymore with the advent of wet chemical extinguishers). b) Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical - effective on Class A, B and C fires Wet Chemical Extinguishers developed specifically for use on Class K fires and can also be used on Class A fires. They extinguish the fire by forming a soapy foam blanket over the burning oil and by cooling the oil below its ignition temperature. Some extinguishers are fitted with a misting nozzle allowing them to also be used for Class B and C fires. Carbon Dioxide remove the oxygen from the fire and also remove heat with a cold discharge. They can be used on Class B and C fires. They are ineffective on Class A fires because the fire can continue to smolder and possibly reignite. Also, the high-pressure discharge can cause the burning materials to scatter with a Class A fire. Halogenated or Clean Agent used mainly on Class C fires, but can also be used on Class A and B fires as well. These types of extinguishers also remove the oxygen from the fire. 8
Preparing For A Fire Emergency, continued Metl-X used on Class D fires and contain sodium chloride salt and thermoplastic additive. Plastic melts to form an oxygen-excluding crust over the metal, and the salt dissipates heat. Foam use on Class A and B fires only. There are different types of foam extinguishers, and you need to be aware of which type you are using and its proper use and limitations. Foam holds down the vapors and is mostly for professional use. 2. Fire Extinguisher Inspection Monthly a) Is it in the correct location? b) Is it visible and accessible? c) Does the gauge indicate the correct pressure? Annually to be completed by a fire extinguisher professional who is certified by the state fire marshal. Other maintenance may also need to be completed depending on the type of extinguisher and its age. VI. DURING A FIRE EMERGENCY (Remember the 4 A's: Activate, Assist, Attempt and Assemble) Activate the fire alarm or contact 911 Assist others in exiting the building Attempt to extinguish the fire Assemble in the predetermined location outside of the building Only fight a fire when: 1. The fire is small and contained 2. You are safe from toxic smoke 3. You have a means of escape 4. Your instincts tell you it's OK P.A.S.S. When using a fire extinguisher, it is good to remember the operating procedures as "P.A.S.S." 1. Pull the pin 2. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire 3. Squeeze the trigger 4. Sweep from side to side Remember that fire extinguishers are only designed to fight small fires and the extinguisher will only discharge for a few seconds. VII. CONCLUSION Refer to the Emergency Guidelines Manual for further information. 9
Training: Instructor: Date Name Department 10