Fire Protection
John Giefer
Statistics
In the Drilling Industry
25% of all inspections found violations of
1910.157 (21 inspections in 78 inspections)
5% of all violations
In the Service Industry
9% of all inspections found violations of 1910.157
(5 inspections in 58 inspections)
Statistics
Most Frequently cited fire protection standards
in the Oil and Gas Industry
1910.157(c)(1)-location and mounting
1910.157(c)(4)-maintain in operating condition
1910.157(d)(1)-proper selection
1910.157(e)(2)-monthly inspection
1910.157(e)(3)-annual inspection
1910.157(g)(1)-training
General
Two types of fire
protection required
General (for facility)
Specific for operations or
hazardous conditions
General
Appropriate Standards
1910.38 Emergency Action Plans
1910.39 Fire Prevention Plans
1910.156 Fire Brigades
1910.157 Portable Fire Extinguishers
1910.158 Standpipe and Hose Systems
1910.159 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
1910.160 Fixed Extinguishing Systems
General
1910.161 Dry Chemical systems
1910.162 Gaseous Agent systems
1910.163 Water Spray and foam systems
1910.164 Fire detection systems
1910.165 Employee Alarm systems
Appendices
First Decision
Flee or not to flee
Standards allow
employer to determine
the degree of fire
protection with which he
wishes to comply
Decision
Level 1 – total evacuation
Level 2 – fight small stage fires with essential
personnel, evacuate others
Level 3 – fight fires with trained employees
Level 1
Develop emergency action plan complying
with 1910.38
Must be in writing if 10 or more employees
affected
Key provisions include
How to report fires
Designated exit routes, assembly points and method for
accounting for employees
Essential and critical functions defined and tasked to
individuals
Level 1
Emergency Action Plan elements
If employees assigned rescue/first aid duties,
establish procedures
Design employee responsible for plan changes
Must have employee alarm system
Must train all employees
Review with employees when change occurs
Level 1
Fire Protection Plan 1910.39
In writing unless less than 10 employees
Elements
List all major fire hazards, proper storage and handling
procedures, sources of ignition and their control
Procedures to control flammable and combustible waste
Procedures to maintain safeguards installed on heat
producing equipment
Name of responsible maintenance employees
Train all employees
Level 2
Fighting small scale fires with partial
evacuation of employees
Establish emergency action plan for employees to
evacuate
Comply with 1910.157
Train designated employees on use of fire
extinguishers
Level 3
Establish fire protection unit complying with
1910.156
Trained and equipped fire brigade
Handles all stages and types of fire
Complying with 1910.157
If employer has planned for total evacuation,
has an emergency action plan and a fire
protection plan in place, employer does not
have to have fire extinguishers in place to
comply with OSHA standards
(this does not release him from any local fire
regulations)
1910.157
General Requirements
Must be provided and
mounted
Only approved fire
extinguishers permitted
Must be maintained fully
charged
Must be kept in
designated locations
1910.157
Selection
Most fire hazards are
ABC
Insure fire extinguishers
are designed for your fire
hazard
1910.157
Distribution
Class A fires – maximum travel 75 feet
Class B fires – maximum travel 50 feet
Class C fires – maximum travel (less of the two
above)
Class D fires – maximum travel 75 feet
(Employer may use a sprinkler system meeting the
requirements of 1910.158 or 159 to meet Class A
fire travel distances)
1910.157
Inspections
Visual inspection
monthly
Annual maintenance
check with records
retained for 1 year
Hydrostatic testing at
designated intervals
1910.157
Training
If intended for use
trained on principles of
fire extinguisher use and
hazards of fighting
incipient stage fires
Train affected employees
annually
Specific Fire Hazards
1910.106
Storage of Flammables
Extinguisher with 12B
rating at least 10 feet
from any storage room
doorway
Outside storage-12B
rated extinguisher no
closer than 10 feet, no
farther than 25 feet
Specific Requirements
Refueling areas
1 extinguisher with a rating of 6BC located within
75 feet of refueling area for class 1 liquids
1 extinguisher with a rating of 8BC for locations
refueling with LPG
Odds and Ends
1910.35 to 1910.37
Fire exits
Exit routes
Life safety code
