1. Means of Egress Fire Prevention and 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
In 1995, more than 75,000 workplace fires cost businesses more than $2.3 billion
Means of Egress: 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E
Fire Protection: 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L
More complete information on means of egress can be found in the National Fire Protection Association document:
NFPA 101: Life Safety Code

3. Exit Route
A continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety
Consists of three parts:
Exit access
Exit
Exit discharge
29 CFR
An exit route includes all vertical and horizontal areas along the route.
Exit access is that part of an exit route that leads to an exit.
Exit is that part of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.
Exit discharge is that part of an exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside.
A refuge area is:
- A space along an exit route protected from fire by a barrier with at least a 1-hour fire resistance rating; or
- A floor with at least 2 spaces, separated from each other by smoke-resistant partitions, in a building protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Emphasis is on escaping from fires; however, some additional hazards include explosion,earthquake, bomb threat, toxic vapors, storms (tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.). Compounding factors that may interfere with safe escape include panic and confusion, poor visibility, lack of information, and misinformation. These factors frequently cause more injuries and fatalities than the hazard itself.

4. Exit Route
Must lead directly to a open space with access to the outside that is large enough to accommodate all building occupants likely to use the exit route
Shall be continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency.

5. Exit Route (cont’d) 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
(a)
(b)(1): Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route
Obstructed exit route

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
(d)
Locked and blocked exit

7. 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
(b)(2) and (3)

8. 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
(b)(4)

9. Exit Marking (cont’d)
Each doorway 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).
(b)(5)

10. 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
(a) applies to all emergency action plans required by a particular OSHA standard, such as the Fire Brigades or Permit-Required Confined Spaces standard. The emergency action plan must be in writing, except for firms with 10 or fewer employees. These businesses can communicate the plan orally to employees.
Emergency plans include, as a minimum:
- Escape procedures and escape route assignments
- Critical plant operations shutdown procedure
- Procedure to account for all personnel
- Assignment of rescue and medical duties
- Means for reporting emergencies
- Identification of responsible persons to contact for further information
Employee training is necessary and an alarm system must be in place which has a distinctive signal.
See OSHA Publication 3088, “How to Prepare for Workplace Emergencies,” available at for more information.

11. Emergency Action Plan
Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation
Covers reasonably expected emergencies, such as fires, explosions, toxic chemical releases, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and floods

12. Alarm System Must have and maintain an employee alarm system
The employee alarm system must use a distinctive signal for each purpose
Fires, explosions, toxic chemical releases, tornadoes, floods

13. Training
An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees
EAP

14. Review of the EAP
An employer must review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan:
When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job
When the employee's responsibilities under the plan change; and
When the plan is changed
EAP
Change

15. When faced with a fire, you must make some split second decisions:
Fire Extinguishers
How do you operate this thing, anyway?
When faced with a fire, you must make some split second decisions:
Do I need help?
Can I put out this fire?

16. Fire Extinguishers Time is critical…. You must be able to make
split-second
decisions
with confidence.
Does the fuel
make the fire too hazardous for this extinguisher?
Is this the right size extinguisher for this fire?
Is there a
safe way to remove the fuel source?
Is this the proper type extinguisher for this fire?

17. Fire Extinguishers When seconds count……
Even a willing operator cannot successfully extinguish a fire unless they know how to use the available equipment.

18. Extinguisher Classification
A Trash Wood Paper
C Electrical Equipment
wood
cloth
paper
rubber
many plastics
energized electrical equipment
B Liquids Grease
D Combustible Metals
gasoline
oil
grease
tar
oil-based paint
lacquer
flammable gases
magnesium
sodium
potassium
titanium
zirconium
other flammable metals
DESCRIBE THE FIVE FIRE CLASSES ON THIS AND NEXT SLIDE.
POINT OUT OLD AND NEW FIRE SYMBOLS--USED TO MARK EXTINGUISHERS FOR SUITABILITY FOR USE ON FIRE CLASSES.
TO DECIDE IF EXTINGUISHER IS APPROPRIATE, MATCH SYMBOL TO TYPE OF FIRE BEING ENCOUNTERED. D

19. Fire Classification (cont’d)
CLASS K FIRES
K Cooking Media
Recently recognized by NFPA
Fires involving combustible vegetable or animal non-saturated cooking fats in commercial cooking equipment.
RECENT ADDITION TO NFPA 10.
DESIGNED FOR USE WITH HOTTER BURNING NON-SATURATED FAT FIRES.

20. What’s Inside a Fire Extinguisher
A: Water
ABC: Ammonium Phosphate, Potassium Bicarbonate
B: Carbon Dioxide
C: Sodium Bicarbonate
D: Sodium Chloride, Copper, or Graphite

21. 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, A
Class B: 1-B, 2-B, B
A 4-A extinguisher, for example, should extinguish about twice as much fire as a 2-A extinguisher
Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating because there is no readily measurable quantity for Class C fires which are essentially Class A or B fires involving energized electrical equipment. Class D extinguishers likewise do not have a numerical rating. Their effectiveness is described on the faceplate.

22. Fire Extinguisher Inspection
Fire Extinguishers are required to be inspected monthly
Monthly inspections must include the following five steps:

23. Fire Extinguisher Inspection
1 - It is blocked or hidden?

24. Fire Extinguisher Inspection
2 - Does the pressure gauge shows adequate pressure? (CO2 extinguishers must be weighed to determine if leakage has occurred)
CO2 Extinguisher Has no gauge

25. Fire Extinguisher Inspection
3 – Are the Pin, Seal, & Tag in place?

26. Fire Extinguisher Inspection
4 - Does it show any visible sign of damage and/or are the labels present and legible?

27. Fire Extinguishers Inspection
5 - Is the nozzle free of blockage?

28. Fire Extinguisher
Inspection Points

29. Fire Emergency Response
Rescue A
Alarm C
Contain
ASK “WHAT DO I DO IF I SEE A FIRE?”
RESCUE VICTIMS.
ALARM ACTIVATION TO SUMMON HELP.
CONTAIN FIRE TO PREVENT SPREAD--CLOSE DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUT OFF EXHAUST, ETC.
EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES--PUT THE FIRE OUT. E
Extinguish

30. Firefighting Decision Criteria
Know department emergency procedures and evacuation routes.
Know locations of extinguishers in your area and how to use them.
Always sound the alarm regardless of fire size.
Avoid smoky conditions.
Ensure area is evacuated.
Don’t attempt to fight unless:
Alarm is sounded.
Fire is small and contained.
You have safe egress route (can be reached without exposure to fire).
Available extinguishers are rated for size and type of fire.
If in doubt, evacuate!
ASK “HOW DO I DECIDE TO FIGHT THE FIRE OR EVACUATE?”
IF ONE OR MORE OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA AREN’T MET, BUG OUT!
IF YOU DO USE AN EXTINGUISHER, PLACE IT OUT OF SERVICE AND NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE PERSON(S) SO IT CAN BE RECHARGED OR REPLACED.

31. P A S S Fighting the Fire Pull the pin Aim low at the base of flames
Squeeze the
handle
IF YOU DECIDE TO FIGHT FIRE, USE “P.A.S.S.” ACRONYM TO REMEMBER HOW TO OPERATE THE EXTINGUISHER PROPERLY. S
Sweep side to side

32. Portable Fire Extinguisher Training 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
(g)
Training and education required upon initial employment/assignment and at least annually thereafter.
“Incipient Stage Fire” means a fire which is in the initial or beginning stage and which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus. [ (c)(26)]

33. Fire Extinguishers Training
Aware of the importance of portable fire extinguishers as a fire fighting tool
Familiar with the common types of extinguishers
Respectful of the limitations of equipment and operator
Knowledgeable of the steps to be taken when a fire is discovered

34. Fire Extinguisher Training
Let’s hear more from our
Subject Matter Expert
and
Have some hands-on training!

35. 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 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

36. Quiz
1. A Class “A” Extinguisher is used for electrical fires.
a. True
b. False
2. The average portable fire extinguisher operates for approximately 30 seconds.
3. When you attempt to extinguish a fire, you start approximately ________ away from the fire.
a. 10 feet
b. 5 feet
c. 7 feet
d. 15 feet

37. Quiz a. True 4. This (Pictogram) represents a class “B” extinguisher.
b. False
5. The class “D” extinguisher is the most common one found.
6. To operate an extinguisher use the acronym “PULL”.

38. Quiz 7. Inspect this extinguisher and determine what is wrong with it.
(Select all correct answers)
a. Extinguisher blocked or hidden
b. Pin missing or pulled
c. Inspection Tag missing or not filled out
d. Gauge shows over or under charged
e. Extinguisher is damaged
f. Label is missing or non-legible
g. Nozzle is blocked or damage

39. Quiz 8. What is the first thing you do in case of a fire?
a. Notify others & evacuate the building
b. Call the fire department
c. Make sure you have a clear way out
d. Assess the fire conditions
9. When exiting a building because of a fire, leave the doors open to help the fire department.
a. True
b. False
10. A trash can filled with paper, if on fire would be a class ___ Fire.
a. “A” b. “C”
c. “B” d. “D”
1 – B 2 – A 3 – A – A B
6 – B 7 – C & D 8 – A 9 – B – A