1. NFPA 303- An Overview National Fire Protection Assoc..
Standard 303- Marinas and Boatyards 1995 edition
Gregory T. Davis, Feb 2000

2. For more than 100 years the National Fire Protection Association has been developing and updating codes and standards concerning all areas of fire safety.
Currently there are more than 300 NFPA fire codes and standards used throughout the world.
Virtually, every building, process, service, design, and installation in society today is affected by NFPA's codes and standards

3. Today, all NFPA codes and standards are administered by NFPA's approximately 6,000 volunteers who come from a wide range of professional expertise. These volunteers serve on more than 200 technical committees, which are made up of experts representing areas such as governing agencies, fire services, educational institutions, businesses, insurance companies, industry, and consumers. Because the codes and standards are produced by such a comprehensive pool of technical expertise and fire safety knowledge, they are usually accepted by all professions involved in fire safety, and withstand judicial scrutiny.

4. Implementation of NFPA codes and standards are seen in many aspects of day-to-day life. The placement of fire detectors and sprinklers, the design of building exits, and the installation of electrical wiring are just some of the areas influenced by NFPA fire codes and standards. The adoption of these documents, along with increased public awareness of fire safety practices, has resulted in significant reductions in the loss of life and property damage due to the effects of fire

5. 303- Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards 1995 Ed.
Intended to provide a minimum of safety to life and property from
Fire
Electrical Hazard

6. Recognizes Electrical Hazards on piers and floats, connected to craft, presents exceptional fire and shock hazard.
Standard emphasizes and in some cases exceeds NFPA 70 [National Electrical Code]

7. Operations, such as:
Fiberglassing, woodworking, painting, paint removing, welding and cutting, handling gasoline, other flammable liquids are
hazardous operations that require careful and vigilant fire prevention effort by management

8. 303- Contents Management Electrical Wiring and Equipment
Fire Protection
Berthing and Storage
Operational Hazards

9. Management Smoking restrictions Maintenance fire fighting equip
Employee training [fire brigade]
Fire Dept. liaison
Watch Service
Boat Owners and Guests

10. Electrical Wiring and Equipment
NFPA 70
Listed or Labeled
Electrical Datum Plane
Power Supply
Grounding
Electrical Installation
Circuit Breakers

11. Electrical Wiring and Equipment
Disconnects
Lighting fixtures
Feeders on piers
Hazardous locations
Marine hoists, railways
Maintenance

12. Fire Protection Portable Fire Extinguishers
Fixed Fire Extinguishing systems
Standpipe systems
Transmittal of Fire Emergency
Fire Detectors

13. Wet Storage and Berthing
Easy removal of boat in emergency
Ready access to all piers
Lighting of all piers
Only listed 120/240 VAC equipment shall be operated unattended

14. Dry Storage
No portable heaters, except in repairs and attended, no open flame heaters
Accessible ladders to reach deck/s of boats
No blow torches or flammable paint removers
No gasoline or flammable solvents for cleaning purposes

15. Long term dry store or repair:
Inspect for hazardous materials or condition/s and correct
LPG/CNG, charcoal, alcohol, kerosene removed
Portable fuel tanks removed
Permanent fuel tanks store 95% full
No unattended electrical equipment usage
Storage areas kept clean
Ready access fire fighting equipment

16. Storage Indoors
Repair in unsprinklered building requires daily inspection to ensure no hazards
If watch service- include in regular rounds
No Class I flammable liquids
Work must be by qualified personnel- no boat owners- Management maintain access control to storage facilities, and boats stored within

17. In-Out Dry Storage-Rack Storage
Water supply and hoses, Port. Fire X, and wheeled cart equip must reach highest level
Unimpeded vehicle access at one end and have equipment to remove stored boat
Automatic sprinkler system

18. Rack Storage- in-out Boat drain plug removed
Batteries disconnected or switch ‘off’
Fuel tank valves closed
Seasonal Rack storage
General rules apply
No repairs in racks
No extension or power cords, no port. Batt. chargers

19. Battery Storage Remove for charging or storage where practical
If in boat
listed charger
Extension cord three prong, 14awg
No other load/s
Check unattended chargers at 8hr intervals while in operation

20. Operational Hazards Individual boats General Precautions
Inspect boats received for repair or extended storage
Require owner to correct discrepancies found or authorize management to correct
General Precautions
No smoking in work area
Remove combustibles in way of hazardous work

21. Cond. on Ind. Boats- General Precautions con’t
Unprotected battery terminals should be covered. Disconnect ungrounded battery lead [positive]
Experienced personnel only in R&R batteries
Precautions for specific work should be followed
GFCI on electric service to boats in storage

22. Cond. on Ind. Boats, cont
Post a list of safe operating procedures containing such information as:
Use of hibachis, charcoal, wood cooking equipment shall be limited to auth. areas
Disposal of trash
Nonsmoking areas
Location of Fire X and hoses
Procedure for turning in Fire Alarm
Fueling procedures

23. Heating Install in accordance with- Adequate Fire X equipment
Steam, hot water, or forced air plants in detached building or room separated by firewall
No coal or wood burning stoves unless AHJ inspected
No open flame or hot wires in combustible area

24. Storage and Handling of Fuels
Fueling stations accessible by boat without access main berthing area/s
Fueling operations in accordance with NFPA 302
No tank barge or other fuel supply boat within berthing area
Fuel storage tanks in accordance with NFPA 30A

25. Fueling Gasoline and other flammable liquid drums stored separately
Hand carriage of fuels restricted to containers designed for such
Only soaps, detergents, and approved solvents are to be used for cleaning on premises or boats.

26. Storage of Solvents
Paint storage and mixing segregated from other working areas
Prefer a well separated and ventilated building of non-combustible construction or
ventilated fire-resistive room with properly protected openings

27. Storage/Handling FRP
Liquids, such as resins, catalysts, oxidizers, and solvents
Unusually flammable or combustible
Use in well ventilated, constructed of non-combustible materials buildings
Catalyzed resins shall be set and cooled before disposal

28. Paint removal/Painting
Flammable solvents on boat exterior only-outdoors
readily accessible fire X
No open-flame devices inside boats
Explosion proof electric lamps
One days supply of solvents only
Spray finishing in accordance with NFPA 33

29. Lumber Storage Main stocks in segregated area Piles neatly stacked
Unobstructed aisles
Width to restrict fire spread, permit access for fire-fighting personnel and equipment

30. Welding, Brazing, Soldering, Etc.
Restrict to specialized shop
Only experienced personnel
If welding on boat
fire watch
Free of combustible vapor, materials
protect from sparks
Flame proof tarpaulins
Fuel tank safeguards

31. Woodworking Clean refuse daily Exhaust systems on planers
No unattended operation of machines
Work area permits free access around boat
Volatile liquids necessary for 1 day work
No open flame, lights, smoking

32. Machine Shop Separate building or segregated non combustible
Machines and motors kept clean
Flammables to minimum and in approved cans
No gravity feed from fuel tanks to test stands
Portable Fire X

33. Battery Service/Storage
Vent hydrogen to atmosphere
Ignition protection
Separate room or closed area
singular purpose
Special room ventilation
Rack ventilation
Insulated tools and charger clips

34. Batteries Experienced personnel Precautions no smoking
no open flame or spark
No volatile liquids
Cell caps tight connecting/disconnecting, removed otherwise
Battery tongs or other carrying devices

35. Batteries No connect or disconnect under load
NiCAD separated from lead acid
Tools and equipment separated and identified for Lead Acid or NiCAD
Port Fire X

36. Servicing LPG/CNG Changing of cylinders NFPA 302
Check for leaks-NFPA302- never with open flame

37. Maintenance Marked Covered containers for soiled rags
dispose of daily
Separate marked containers for saw dust, wood chips, non spontaneous combustion refuse
General cleanup daily

38. Where tar paper used to protect floors in FRP shop, remove daily
Covered container throughout facility and located where ignition of contents does not pose a hazard.
Walkways, piers, access roads free of obstruction, access for fire apparatus.

39. This was an overview only, refer to the standard for exact wording or terminology.
This standard is currently in the final stage of its five year review process
A revised standard will be forthcoming in fall 2000 or spring 2001