296-307-340 Portable fire extinguishers.
296-307-34003 What does this section cover?
296-307-34006 Who is exempt from the requirements of this section?
296-307-34009 What general requirements apply to portable fire extinguishers?
296-307-34012 How should portable fire extinguishers be selected and
distributed?
296-307-34015 What are the requirements for inspection, maintenance
and testing of portable fire extinguishers?
296-307-34018 What requirements apply to hydrostatic testing?
296-307-34021 What are the training requirements for portable fire
extinguishers?
296-307-345 Employee alarm systems.
296-307-34503 What does this section cover?
296-307-34506 What general requirements apply to employee alarm systems?
296-307-34509 What are the installation and restoration requirements
for employee
alarm systems?
296-307-34512 How must an employee alarm system be maintained and
tested?
296-307-34515 Where must manually operated devices be located?
296-307-350 Exit rooms.
296-307-35003 What does this section cover?
296-307-35006 What definitions apply to this section?
296-307-35009 What are the design requirements for exit routes?
296-307-35012 What are the operation and maintenance requirements
for exit routes?
296-307-35015 What are the requirements for an emergency action plan?
296-307-35018 What are the requirements for a fire prevention plan?
(1) WAC
296-307-340 applies to the placement, use, maintenance, and
testing of portable fire extinguishers provided for employee use.
WAC
296-307-34012 does not apply to extinguishers provided for
employee use on the outside of workplace buildings or structures.
If you do not intend for employees to use extinguishers, and your
emergency action plan and fire prevention plan meet the requirements
of WAC
296-307-35018, then only the requirements of WAC
296-307-34015 and 296-307-34018
apply.
(2) All standpipe and hose systems, automatic sprinkler systems, fixed
extinguishing systems, dry-chemical fixed extinguishing systems, water-spray
and foam, and fire detection systems, must be installed according to state
and local ordinances, codes, and regulations governing such installations.
WAC 296-307-34006
Who is exempt from the requirements of this section?
(1) You are exempt from all requirements of this section, if:
(a) You have implemented a written fire safety policy that
requires all employees to evacuate immediately when the fire
alarm sounds; and
(b) You have an emergency action plan and a fire prevention
plan meeting the requirements of WAC
296-307-35015 and 296-307-35018;
and
(c) Extinguishers are not available for employee use in the
workplace.
Note: If you are covered by one of the following
sections requiring you to provide a portable fire extinguisher,
then you must not apply this exemption:
(2) You are exempt from the distribution requirements in WAC
296-307-34012, if:
(a) You have an emergency action plan meeting the requirements of WAC
296-307-35015 that authorizes only certain employees to
use the available portable fire extinguishers; and
(b) The plan requires all other employees to evacuate immediately when
the fire alarm sounds.
WAC 296-307-34009
What general requirements apply to portable fire extinguishers?
(1) You must provide portable fire extinguishers that are readily accessible
to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.
(2) You must only use approved portable fire extinguishers.
(3) Portable fire extinguishers using carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane
extinguishing agents are prohibited.
(4) Water type fire extinguishers with a soldered or riveted shell that
use self-generating soda acid or self-generating foam or gas cartridges
are prohibited.
(5) You must ensure that all portable fire extinguishers are fully charged,
operable, and kept in their designated places at all times except during
use.
(6) You must ensure that all portable fire extinguishers are tested,
constructed, and used according to the National Fire Protection Association's
pamphlet No. 10A-1970.
Note: The supplier of the extinguisher or local
fire official can furnish this information.
(7) You must post “no smoking” signs in areas where fire or explosion
hazards exist. You must prohibit smoking within fifty feet of all refueling
operations. Take precautions to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric
arcs in refueling areas.
(8) You must keep a portable fire extinguisher with a rating of at least
12-B units outside the door of any room used to store flammables or combustibles.
This extinguisher must not be more than ten feet from the door.
WAC 296-307-34012
How should portable fire extinguishers be selected and distributed?
(1) You must select and distribute portable fire extinguishers based
on the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree
of hazard that would affect their use.
(2) Distribution of portable fire extinguishers.
(a) For Class A fires: You must distribute portable fire extinguishers
so that no employee must travel more than 75 feet (22.9 m) to
a fire extinguisher.
Exception: You may use uniformly spaced
standpipe systems or hose stations connected to a sprinkler system
for emergency use by employees instead of Class A portable fire
extinguishers, if:
The system meets all regulatory requirements governing
total coverage of the area to be protected; and
Employees are trained at least annually in their use.
(b) For Class B fires: You must distribute portable fire extinguishers
so that no employee must travel more than 50 feet (15.2 m) to
a fire extinguisher.
(c) For Class C fires: You must distribute portable fire extinguishers
on the basis of the appropriate pattern for the existing Class
A or Class B hazards.
(d) For Class D fires: You must distribute portable fire extinguishers
or other containers of Class D extinguishing agent so no employee
must travel more than 75 feet (22.9 m) from the combustible
metal working area to any extinguishing agent. Portable fire
extinguishers for Class D hazards are required in those combustible
metal working areas where combustible metal powders, flakes,
shavings, or similarly sized products are generated at least
once every two weeks.
WAC 296-307-34015
What are the requirements for inspection, maintenance and testing of portable
fire extinguishers?
(1) You are responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and testing
of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.
(2) You must visually inspect portable extinguishers or hose at least
once a month.
(3) You must ensure that portable fire extinguishers receive an annual
maintenance check. You must keep records of the maintenance dates for
one year after the previous entry or the life of the shell, whichever
comes first. You must provide us with a copy of the record if we ask for
it.
(4) You must ensure that stored-pressure dry chemical extinguishers that
require a twelve-year hydrostatic test are emptied and undergo applicable
maintenance procedures every six years.
Exception: Dry chemical extinguishers with nonrefillable
disposable containers are exempt from this requirement.
The six years begins when recharging or hydrostatic testing is performed.
(5) You must ensure that alternate equivalent protection is provided
when portable fire extinguishers are removed from service for maintenance
and recharging.
(1) You must ensure that a trained person performs hydrostatic testing
with suitable testing equipment and facilities.
(2) You must ensure that portable extinguishers are hydrostatically tested
at the intervals listed in the table below.
Type of Extinguishers
Test interval
(years)
Soda acid (stainless
steel shell)
5
Cartridge operated
water and/or antifreeze
5
Stored pressure
water and/or antifreeze
5
Wetting agent
5
Foam (stainless
steel shell)
5
Aqueous film
forming foam (AFF)
5
Loaded stream
5
Dry chemical
with stainless steel
5
Carbon dioxide
5
Dry chemical,
stored pressure, with mild steel brazed brass or aluminum shells
12
Dry chemical,
cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shells
12
Halon 1211
12
Halon 1301
12
Dry powder,
cartridge or cylinder operated, with mild steel shell
12
Exception: Extinguishers must not be hydrostatically
tested if the following conditions exist:
(a) When the unit has been repaired by soldering, welding, brazing,
or use of patching compounds;
(b) When the cylinder or shell threads are damaged;
(c) When there is corrosion that has caused pitting, including corrosion
under removable nameplate assemblies;
(d) When the extinguisher has been burned in a fire; or
(e) When a calcium chloride extinguishing agent has been used in a
stainless steel shell.
(3) In addition to an external visual examination, you must ensure that
the cylinders and shells are examined internally before the hydrostatic
testing.
(4) You must ensure that portable fire extinguishers are hydrostatically
tested whenever they show new evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury.
(5) You must ensure that hydrostatic tests are performed on extinguisher
hose assemblies that are equipped with a shut-off nozzle at the discharge
end of the hose. The test interval must be the same as specified for the
extinguisher on which the hose is installed.
(6) Carbon dioxide hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle must be hydrostatically
tested at 1,250 psi (8,620 kPa).
(7) Dry chemical and dry powder hose assemblies with a shut-off nozzle
must be hydrostatically tested at 300 psi (2,070 kPa).
(8) Hose assemblies passing a hydrostatic test do not require any type
of recording or stamping.
(9) You must ensure that hose assemblies for carbon dioxide extinguishers
that require a hydrostatic test are tested within a protective cage device.
(10) You must ensure that carbon dioxide extinguishers and nitrogen or
carbon dioxide cylinders used with wheeled extinguishers are tested every
five years at 5/3 of the service pressure as stamped into the cylinder.
Nitrogen cylinders that comply with 29 CFR 173.34(e)(15) may be hydrostatically
tested every ten years.
(11) You must ensure that all stored pressure and Halon 1211 types of
extinguishers are hydrostatically tested at the factory test pressure
not to exceed two times the service pressure.
(12) You must ensure that self-generating type soda acid and foam extinguishers
are tested at 350 psi (2,410 kPa).
(13) Air or gas pressure used for hydrostatic testing is prohibited.
(14) You must remove from the workplace all extinguisher shells, cylinders,
or cartridges that fail a hydrostatic pressure test, or that are not fit
for testing.
(15) (a) Water-jacket equipment must be used for testing compressed gas
type cylinders. The equipment must have an expansion indicator that operates
with an accuracy within one percent of the total expansion or 0.1 cc (.1
mL) of liquid.
(b) The following equipment must be used to test noncompressed gas
type cylinders:
(i) A hydrostatic test pump, hand or power operated, capable of producing
not less than one hundred fifty percent of the test pressure, which
must include appropriate check valves and fittings;
(ii) A flexible connection for attachment to fittings to test through
the extinguisher nozzle, test bonnet, or hose outlet, as is applicable;
and
(iii) A protective cage or barrier for personal protection of the
tester, designed to provide visual observation of the extinguisher
under test.
(16) You must maintain records of the hydrostatic testing. Your records
must include:
The date of test;
The test pressure used;
The serial number, or other identifier of the fire extinguisher that
was tested; and
The person or agency performing the test.
You must keep the records until the next testing, or until the extinguisher
is taken out of service, whichever comes first. You must provide us
with copies of the records if we ask for them.
WAC 296-307-34021
What are the training requirements for portable fire extinguishers?
(1) If you provide portable fire extinguishers for employee use, then
you must also provide training to familiarize employees with the general
principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved in fighting
fires when they first appear.
You must provide the training when the employee is first hired and at
least annually thereafter.
(2) For employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment
as part of an emergency action plan, you must provide training in the
use of the appropriate equipment.
You must provide the training upon initial assignment to the designated
group of employees and at least annually thereafter.
(1)
WAC 296-307-345 applies to all emergency employee alarms required
by a specific WAC chapter. This section does not apply to discharge
or supervisory alarms required on various fixed extinguishing
systems or to supervisory alarms on fire suppression, alarm or
detection systems unless they are intended to be employee alarm
systems.
(2) The maintenance, testing, and inspection requirements of this section
apply to all local fire alarm signaling systems used for alerting employees
regardless of the other functions of the system.
(3) All predischarge employee alarms required by this chapter
must meet the requirements of WAC
296-307-34506 and 296-307-34512.
WAC 296-307-34506
What general requirements apply to employee alarm systems?
(1) Your employee alarm system must provide warning for necessary emergency
action called for in the emergency action plan, or safe escape of employees
from the workplace.
(2) You must ensure that all employees can see or hear your employee
alarm above normal noise or light levels in the workplace. You may use
tactile devices to alert employees who can not see or hear the alarm.
(3) You must ensure that your employee alarm is recognizable as an evacuation
signal or signal to perform actions designated under the emergency action
plan.
(4) You must explain to each employee how to report emergencies. For
example: They may use manual pull box alarms, public address systems,
radio or telephones. You must post emergency telephone numbers near telephones,
or employee notice boards when telephones serve as a means of reporting
emergencies. When your communication system also serves as the employee
alarm system, you must ensure that all emergency messages have priority
over all nonemergency messages.
(5) You must establish procedures for sounding emergency alarms in the
workplace. If you have ten or fewer employees in a workplace, direct voice
communication is an acceptable procedure for sounding the alarm if all
employees can hear it. In this case, you do not need a back-up system.
WAC 296-307-34509
What are the installation and restoration requirements for employee alarm
systems?
(1) You must ensure that all systems installed to comply with this standard
are approved. Steam whistles, air horns, strobe lights or similar lighting
devices, or tactile devices meeting the requirements of this section must
also be approved.
(2) After each test or alarm, you must ensure that all employee alarm
systems are restored to normal operating condition as soon as possible.
You must ensure that you have spare alarm components available in sufficient
quantities and locations for prompt restoration of the system.
WAC 296-307-34512
How must employee alarm systems be maintained and tested?
(1) You must ensure that all employee alarm systems are maintained in
operating condition except when undergoing repairs or maintenance.
(2) You must ensure that a test of the reliability and adequacy of nonsupervised
employee alarm systems is made every two months. You must use a different
actuation device in each test of a multiactuation device system so that
no individual device is used for two consecutive tests.
(3) You must maintain or replace power supplies as often as necessary
to ensure fully operational condition. You must provide back-up alarms,
such as employee runners or telephones, when systems are out of service.
(4) You must ensure that supervised employee alarm circuitry is supervised
and that it will provide positive notification to assigned personnel whenever
a deficiency exists in the system. You must ensure that all supervised
employee alarm systems are tested at least annually for reliability and
adequacy.
(5) You must ensure that employee alarms are serviced, maintained, and
tested by someone trained in the operation and functions necessary for
reliable and safe operation of the system.
WAC
296-307-350 requires you to provide exit routes for employees
to leave the workplace safely during emergencies. This section
does not apply to mobile workplaces, such as vehicles or vessels.
“Exit” means the portion of an exit route that is generally separated
from other areas to provide a protected way of travel out of the workplace.
“Exit route” means a continuous and unobstructed path of exit
travel from any point within a workplace to safety outside. An exit route
generally consists of three parts: Access to an exit; the area, which
provides a way of travel out of the workplace; and the way from the exit
to the outside. An exit route includes all vertical and horizontal areas.
You must ensure that each workplace meets each of the following requirements:
(1) Each exit is a permanent part of the workplace.
(2) Two exit routes, remote from one another, are available to provide
alternate means for employees to safely leave the workplace during an
emergency.
(a) A single exit route is permitted where the number of employees,
the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace
indicate that a single exit will allow all employees to exit safely
during an emergency. Other means of escape, such as fire exits or accessible
windows, should be available where fewer than two exit routes are provided.
(b) More than two exit routes are available to allow employees to safely
leave the workplace during an emergency where the number of employees,
the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace
reasonably suggest that reliance on two exit routes could endanger employees.
(3) An exit has only those openings necessary to permit access to, or
exit from, occupied areas of the workplace. An opening into an exit is
protected by a self-closing fire door that remains closed. Each fire door,
its frame, and hardware are listed or approved by a nationally recognized
testing laboratory.
(4) Construction materials used to separate an exit have a 1-hour fire
resistance rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories. Construction
materials used to separate an exit have a 2-hour fire resistance rating
if the exit connects 4 or more stories.
(5) Free and unobstructed access to each exit route is provided to ensure
safe exit during an emergency.
(a) The exit route is free of material or equipment.
(b) Employees are not required to travel through a room that can be
locked, such as a bathroom, or toward a dead end to reach an exit.
(c) Stairs or a ramp are used if the exit route is not substantially
level.
(6) An exit leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area,
or to an open space with access to the outside.
(a) The street, walkway, refuge area, or open space to which an exit
leads is large enough to accommodate all building occupants likely to
use that exit.
(b) A refuge area is:
(i) A space along an exit route protected from the effects of fire
either by separation from other spaces within the building or by its
location; or
(ii) A floor with at least two spaces separated by smoke-resistant
partitions, in a building where each floor is protected by an automatic
sprinkler system. An automatic sprinkler system complies with NFPA
No. 13, Automatic Sprinkler Systems.
(c) Exit stairs that continue beyond the floor of exit discharge are
interrupted by doors, partitions, or other effective means.
(7) Where a doorway or corner of a building is located near a railroad
or trolley track so that an employee is liable to walk upon the track
in front of an approaching engine or cars, a standard safeguard must be
installed with a warning sign.
(8) An exit door can be readily opened from the inside without keys,
tools, or special knowledge. A device, such as a panic bar, that locks
only from the outside is permitted. An exit door is free of any device
or alarm that, if it fails, can restrict emergency use of an exit.
Note: An exit door may be locked or blocked from
the inside in a mental, penal, or correctional institution, if supervisory
personnel are continually on duty and a plan exists to remove occupants
during an emergency.
(9) The opening device on all doors of walk-in refrigerated or freezer
rooms must be the type, when locked from the outside with a lock, can
be opened from inside.
(10) A side-hinged exit door is used to connect any room to an exit route.
A door that connects any room to an exit route swings out if the room
may be occupied by more than 50 persons or highly flammable or explosive
materials may be used inside.
(11) Each exit route supports the maximum-permitted occupant load for
each floor served by the exit route. The capacity of an exit does not
decrease with the direction of exit travel.
(12) Minimum height and width requirements:
(a) The ceiling for an exit route is at least 7 feet 6 inches high
and the exit route is at least 6 feet 8 inches high at all points.
(b) The width of an exit route is at least 28 inches wide at all points
between handrails. An exit route is wider than 28 inches if necessary
to accommodate the expected occupant load.
(c) Objects that project into the exit route do not reduce the minimum
height and width of an exit route.
(13) An outdoor exit route is permitted if it meets the requirements
for an indoor exit route and the following additional requirements.
(a) The exit has guardrails to protect exposed sides.
(b) The exit route is covered if accumulation of snow or ice is likely
and is not removed regularly.
(c) The exit route is reasonably straight with smooth, solid, substantially
level floors.
(d) The exit route has no dead ends longer than 20 feet.
WAC 296-307-35012
What are the operation and maintenance requirements for exit routes?
You must ensure that each workplace meets the following requirements:
(1) The workplace exit route is maintained to minimize danger to employees
during an emergency.
(a) The workplace exit route is free of explosive or highly flammable
furnishings or decorations.
(b) Accumulations of flammable or combustible waste materials are controlled.
(c) An exit route does not require employees to travel toward materials
that burn very quickly, emit poisonous fumes, or are explosive, unless
those materials are effectively shielded from the exit route.
(2) Each exit route is adequately lit.
(3) Each exit is clearly visible and is marked by a distinctive sign
reading “exit.”
(a) An exit door is free of signs or decorations that obscure its visibility.
(b) Signs are posted along the exit route indicating the direction
of travel to the nearest exit.
(c) The line-of-sight to an exit sign is uninterrupted.
(d) Any doorway or passage that might be mistaken for an exit is marked
“not an exit” or with an indication of its actual use.
(e) An exit sign is illuminated to a surface value of at least 5 foot
candles by a reliable light source and shows a designated color. Self-luminous
or electroluminescent signs have a minimum luminance surface value of
.06 footlamberts.
(4) Fire retardant paints or other coatings used in the workplace are
maintained.
(5) Each safeguard to protect employees during an emergency is maintained
in proper working order.
(6) Employees do not occupy a workplace under construction until an exit
route that meets these requirements is available for the portion of the
workplace to be occupied.
(a) Employees do not occupy a workplace during repair or alteration
unless either all exits and existing fire protection are maintained
or alternate fire protection is provided that ensures an equivalent
level of safety.
(b) Flammable or explosive materials used during construction or repair
do not expose employees to hazards not otherwise present in the workplace
or impede emergency escape from the workplace.
(7) An operable employee alarm system with a distinctive signal to warn
employees of fire or other emergencies is installed and maintained.
No employee alarm system is required if employees can see or smell
a fire or other hazard so that it would provide adequate warning
to them. The employee alarm system complies with the requirements
of WAC
296-307-345.
WAC 296-307-35015
What are the requirements for an emergency action plan?
(1) You must develop an emergency action plan for each part of the workplace
as required by WAC
296-307-030(3)(d).
(a) The plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and made available
to employees on request.
(b) An employer of 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally
to employees rather than develop a written plan.
(2) An emergency action plan must include:
(a) Procedures for emergency evacuation, including exit route assignments;
(b) Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation;
(c) Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency;
(d) Procedures to follow for emergency operation or shut down of critical
equipment before evacuation;
(e) Procedures to follow for rescue and medical duties;
(f) Procedures for operating and maintaining an emergency alarm system;
and
(g) Names or job titles of employees to be contacted to get more information
about what to do in an emergency.
(3) You must designate employees to assist in the safe emergency evacuation
of other employees. You must ensure that the designated employees receive
training in emergency evacuation procedures.
(4) You must review the emergency action plan with each employee covered
by the plan:
(a) When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially
to the job;
(b) When the employee's responsibilities under the plan change; and
WAC 296-307-35018
What are the requirements for a fire prevention plan?
(1) You must develop a fire prevention plan for each part of the workplace
if required by WAC
296-307-34006(1).
(a) The plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and made available
to employees on request.
(b) An employer of 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally
to employees rather than develop a written plan.
(2) A fire prevention plan must include:
(a) A list of all major fire hazards, including proper handling and
storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources
and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary
to control each major hazard;
(b) Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible
waste materials;
(c) Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat
producing equipment to prevent accidental ignition of combustible materials;
(d) Names or job titles of employees responsible for maintaining equipment
to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires;
(e) Names or job titles of employees responsible for control of fuel
source hazards.
(3) You must:
(a) Inform employees of the fire hazards to which they are exposed;
and
(b) Review with each employee those parts of the fire prevention plan
necessary for self-protection upon initial assignment to a job.
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