Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, and Fire Protection

1. Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention Plans,and Fire Protection

2. Introduction • Fires and explosions kill more than 200 and injure more than 5,000 workers each year • There is a long and tragic history of workplace fires in this country caused by problems with fire exits and extinguishing systems • OSHA requires employers to provide proper exits, fire fighting equipment, and employee training to prevent fire deaths and injuries in the workplace

3. Exit Route • A continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety (including refuge areas) • Consists of three parts: • Exit access • Exit • Exit discharge

4. Exit RoutesBasic Requirements • Exit routes must be permanent and there must be enough exits in the proper arrangement for quick escape • Exits must be separated by fire-resistant materials • Openings into an exit must be limited to those necessary to allow access to the exit or to the exit discharge • An opening into an exit must be protected by an approved self-closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency

5. Exit Discharge • Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside that is large enough to accommodate all 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 on that level by doors, partitions, or other effective means that clearly indicate the direction of travel to the exit discharge

6. Exit Doors Must Be Unlocked • Must be able to open from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge • Device such as a panic bar that locks only from the outside is permitted • Must be free of any device or alarm that could restrict emergency use if the device or alarm fails • May be locked from the inside only in mental, penal, or correctional facilities where there is constant supervision Locked and blocked exit

7. Side-Hinged Exit Door • Must be used to connect any room to an exit route • A 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 contains high hazard contents

8. Exit Route Capacityand Dimensions • Must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served • Capacity must not decrease in the direction of exit route travel to the exit discharge • Ceiling must be at least 7-½ ft. high with no projection reaching a point less than 6 ft.-8 in. from floor • An exit access must be at least 28 in. wide at all points

9. Minimize Danger to Employees • Exit routes must be free and unobstructed • Keep exit routes free of explosive or highly flammable materials • Arrange exit routes so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless it is effectively shielded • Emergency safeguards (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting) must be in proper working order at all times Obstructed exit route

10. Types of Alarms • Bells • Horns • Sirens • Workplace Announcement Systems

11. Types of Alarms • Flashing/Steady Lights • Strobe Lights

12. Which Alarm System?? • Capable of being heard, seen, or otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace; • Distinctive and easily identified by all employees;

13. Protect Alarms • In corrosive environments, the alarm system components should be made of or coated with a non-corrosive material. • Protect alarm devices from contact with materials or equipment. • Protect outdoor alarms with a canopy, hood, or other device. • Securely mount them to avoid putting pressure on wires or tubing.

14. Alarm Placement • Put at least one visual alarm in each room. (Follow manufacturer’s specifications) • Mount visual and audible devices 80” above the highest floor level or 6” below the ceiling, whichever is lower. • Manually activated devices for use in conjunction with alarms must be unobstructed, conspicuous and readily accessible.

15. OSHA Standards Requiring Alarm Systems • Flammable and Combustible Liquids (1910.106) • Portable Fire Extinguishing Systems (1910.157) • Powered Platforms for Building Maintenance (1910.66) • Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (1910.120) • Means of Egress (1910.37)

16. OSHA Standards Requiring Alarm Systems • Emergency Action Plan (1910.38) • Fire Detection Systems (1910.164) • Fixed Extinguishing Systems (1910.160) • Fixed Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems (1910.161) • Fixed Gaseous Agent Extinguishing Systems (1910.162)

17. Escape RoutesGeneral Requirements • There must be enough exits in the proper arrangement for quick escape • At least two exit routes must be available • Except, 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.

18. Exit Marking • Each exit must be clearly visible and marked with an “Exit” sign • Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the door

19. Exit Marking (cont’d) • If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating direction to the nearest exit • The line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times

20. Exit Marking (cont’d) Eachdoorway 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).

21. Exit Marking (cont’d) • Exits signs must be illuminated by a reliable lights source and be distinctive in color. • Each sign must have the word “Exit” in plainly legible letters not less than 6” high and the principle stroke of the letters at least ¾” wide.

23. Emergency Action Plan • Describes actions that must be taken to ensure employee safety in emergencies • Includes floor plans or maps which show emergency escape routes • Tells employees what actions to take in emergency situations • Covers reasonably expected emergencies, such as fires, explosions, toxic chemical releases, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and floods

24. Fire Prevention Plan The plan must include: • A list of the major fire hazards and handling, storage, and control procedures • Names or job titles of persons responsible for maintenance of equipment and systems to prevent or control ignitions or fires • Names or job titles of persons responsible for control of fuel source hazards • Training for all employees who have responsibilities in the plan

25. OSHA Standard Requiring EAP & FPP • Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, 1910.119(n) (EAP) • Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, 1910.120(l)(1)(ii), (p)(8)(i), (q)(1), and (q)(11)(ii),(EAP) • Portable Fire Extinguishers, 1910.157(a) and (b)(1),(EAP & FPP) • Grain Handling Facilities, 1910.272(d), (EAP)

26. OSHA Standard Requiring EAP & FPP • Ethylene Oxide,1910.1047(h)(1)(iii), (EAP & FPP) • Methylenedianiline, 1910.1050(d)(1)(iii), (EAP & FPP) • 1,3-Butadiene, 1910.1051(j),(EAP & FPP)

27. Portable Fire Extinguishers If portable fire extinguishers are provided for employee use, the employer must mount, locate and identify them so workers can access them without subjecting themselves to possible injury. Blocked extinguisher

28. Extinguisher Classification Letter classification given an extinguisher to designate the class or classes of fire on which it will be effective. Class A – ordinary combustibles (wood, cloth, paper) Class B – flammable liquids, gases, greases Class C – energized electrical equipment Class D – combustible metals Class K - cooking oils (Potassium Acetate Mixed with Water) Combustible Flammable Electrical Ordinary C B A D Equipment Liquids Combustibles Metals

29. Portable Fire Extinguishers Selection and Distribution 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.

30. Portable Fire Extinguishers 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

31. Extinguisher Rating • Numerical rating given to Class A and B extinguishers which indicate how large a fire an experienced person can put out with the extinguisher • Ratings are based on tests conducted at Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. • Class A: 1-A, 2-A, . . . 40-A • Class B: 1-B, 2-B, . . . 640-B • A 4-A extinguisher, for example, should extinguish about twice as much fire as a 2-A extinguisher

32. Care and Maintenance Once a month ensure: • Extinguisher is in its place and not blocked. • The name plate is facing out. • The pressure gage is showing fully charged. • The pin and tamper seal is intact. • The extinguisher is in good condition. • Once a month gently rock powder extinguishers to make sure the power is not packing.

33. Maintaining Portable Fire Extinguishers • Must maintain in a fully charged and operable condition • Must keep in their designated places at all times except during use • Must conduct an annual maintenance check • Must record the annual maintenance date and retain this record for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less

34. Portable Fire ExtinguisherTraining and Education • Where portable fire extinguishers have been provided for employee use in the workplace, employees must be provided with an educational program on the: • General principles of fire extinguisher use • Hazards of incipient (beginning) stage fire fighting • Employees designated to use extinguishers must receive instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment

35. PASS • PULL…Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal. • AIM…Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire. • SQUEEZE…Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. • SWEEP…Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area. If it re-ignites, repeat steps 2-4

36. Option 1 Total evacuation of employees from the workplace immediately when alarms sounds. No one is authorized to use available portable fire extinguishers Requirement Establish an emergency action and fire prevention plan and train employees accordingly. If fire extinguishers are left in the workplace, they must be inspected, tested, and maintained Fire Extinguishers vs EAPFight or Flee?

37. Option 2 Designated employees are authorized to use portable fire extinguishers to fight fires. All other employees must evacuate workplace immediately when alarm sounds Requirement Establish an emergency action and fire prevention plan and train employees accordingly. Meet all general requirements plus annually train designated employees to use fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers in the workplace must be inspected, tested, and maintained Fire Extinguishers vs EAPFight or Flee?

38. Option 3 All employees authorized to use portable fire extinguishers to fight fires Requirement If any employees will be evacuating, establish an emergency action plan and train employees accordingly. Meet all general fire extinguisher requirements plus annually train employees to use fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers in the workplace must be inspected, tested and maintained Fire Extinguishers vs EAPFight or Flee?

39. Summary • There must be enough exits in the proper arrangement for quick escape • Exit routes must be marked, lighted, free of obstructions, and locks must not be used to impede or prevent escape • An emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan must be in place • Fire extinguisher classes and numerical ratings help a user understand its capabilities • Fire extinguishers must be inspected, maintained and employees must be trained in how to use them

40. Subpart L - Fire Protection(1910.155 - 165) Extinguishers - Training program Extinguishers - Initial & annual training Portable extinguishers - Provided and accessible Standard: 1910. Extinguishers - Annual checks Extinguishers - Charged & operable