[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 5]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1910.155]
[Page 492-495]
TITLE 29--LABOR
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR
PART 1910_OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS--Table of Contents
Subpart L_Fire Protection
Sec. 1910.155 Scope, application and definitions applicable to this
Authority: Sections 4, 6, and 8 of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657); Secretary of Labor's Order
No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 9-83 (48 F 35736), 6-96 (62
FR 111), or 3-2000 (65 FR 50017), as applicable; and 29 CFR part 1911.
subpart.
(a) Scope. This subpart contains requirements for fire brigades, and
all portable and fixed fire suppression equipment, fire detection
systems, and fire or employee alarm systems installed to meet the fire
protection requirements of 29 CFR part 1910.
(b) Application. This subpart applies to all employments except for
maritime, construction, and agriculture.
(c) Definitions applicable to this subpart. (1) After-flame means
the time a test specimen continues to flame after the flame source has
been removed.
(2) Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) means a fluorinated surfactant
with a foam stabilizer which is diluted with water to act as a temporary
barrier to exclude air from mixing with the fuel vapor by developing an
aqueous film on the fuel surface of some hydrocarbons which is capable
of suppressing the generation of fuel vapors.
(3) Approved means acceptable to the Assistant Secretary under the
following criteria:
(i) If it is accepted, or certified, or listed, or labeled or
otherwise determined to be safe by a nationally recognized testing
laboratory; or
(ii) With respect to an installation or equipment of a kind which no
nationally recognized testing laboratory accepts, certifies, lists,
labels, or determines to be safe, if it is inspected or tested by
another Federal agency and found in compliance with the provisions of
the applicable National Fire Protection Association Fire Code; or
(iii) With respect to custom-made equipment or related installations
which are designed, fabricated for, and intended for use by its
manufacturer on the basis of test data which the employer keeps and
makes available for inspection to the Assistant Secretary.
(iv) For the purposes of paragraph (c)(3) of this section:
(A) Equipment is listed if it is of a kind mentioned in a list which
is published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory which makes
periodic inspections of the production of such equipment and which
states that such equipment meets nationally recognized standards or has
been tested and found safe for use in a specified manner;
(B) Equipment is labeled if there is attached to it a label, symbol,
or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory
which makes periodic inspections of the production of such equipment,
and whose labeling indicates compliance with nationally recognized
standards or tests to determine safe use in a specified manner;
(C) Equipment is accepted if it has been inspected and found by a
nationally recognized testing laboratory to conform to specified plans
or to procedures of applicable codes; and
(D) Equipment is certified if it has been tested and found by a
nationally recognized testing laboratory to meet nationally recognized
standards or to be safe for use in a specified manner or is of a kind
whose production is periodically inspected by a nationally recognized
testing laboratory, and if it
[[Page 493]]
bears a label, tag, or other record of certification.
(E) Refer to Sec. 1910.7 for definition of nationally recognized
testing laboratory.
(4) Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health or designee.
(5) Automatic fire detection device means a device designed to
automatically detect the presence of fire by heat, flame, light, smoke
or other products of combustion.
(6) Buddy-breathing device means an accessory to self-contained
breathing apparatus which permits a second person to share the same air
supply as that of the wearer of the apparatus.
(7) Carbon dioxide means a colorless, odorless, electrically
nonconductive inert gas (chemical formula CO<INF>2</INF>) that is a
medium for extinguishing fires by reducing the concentration of oxygen
or fuel vapor in the air to the point where conbustion is impossible.
(8) Class A fire means a fire involving ordinary combustible
materials such as paper, wood, cloth, and some rubber and plastic
materials.
(9) Class B fire means a fire involving flammable or combustible
liquids, flammable gases, greases and similar materials, and some rubber
and plastic materials.
(10) Class C fire means a fire involving energized electrical
equipment where safety to the employee requires the use of electrically
nonconductive extinguishing media.
(11) Class D fire means a fire involving combustible metals such as
magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium.
(12) Dry chemical means an extinguishing agent composed of very
small particles of chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium
bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, urea-based potassium bicarbonate,
potassium chloride, or monoammonium phosphate supplemented by special
treatment to provide resistance to packing and moisture absorption
(caking) as well as to provide proper flow capabilities. Dry chemical
does not include dry powders.
(13) Dry powder means a compound used to extinguish or control Class
D fires.
(14) Education means the process of imparting knowledge or skill
through systematic instruction. It does not require formal classroom
instruction.
(15) Enclosed structure means a structure with a roof or ceiling and
at least two walls which may present fire hazards to employees, such as
accumulations of smoke, toxic gases and heat, similar to those found in
buildings.
(16) Extinguisher classification means the letter classification
given an extinguisher to designate the class or classes of fire on which
an extinguisher will be effective.
(17) Extinguisher rating means the numerical rating given to an
extinguisher which indicates the extinguishing potential of the unit
based on standardized tests developed by Underwriters' Laboratories,
Inc.
(18) Fire brigade (private fire department, industrial fire
department) means an organized group of employees who are knowledgeable,
trained, and skilled in at least basic fire fighting operations.
(19) Fixed extinguishing system means a permanently installed system
that either extinguishes or controls a fire at the location of the
system.
(20) Flame resistance is the property of materials, or combinations
of component materials, to retard ignition and restrict the spread of
flame.
(21) Foam means a stable aggregation of small bubbles which flow
freely over a burning liquid surface and form a coherent blanket which
seals combustible vapors and thereby extinguishes the fire.
(22) Gaseous agent is a fire extinguishing agent which is in the
gaseous state at normal room temperature and pressure. It has low
viscosity, can expand or contract with changes in pressure and
temperature, and has the ability to diffuse readily and to distribute
itself uniformly throughout an enclosure.
(23) Halon 1211 means a colorless, faintly sweet smelling,
electrically nonconductive liquefied gas (chemical formula
CBrC1F<INF>2</INF>) which is a medium for extinguishing fires by
inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of fuel and oxygen. It is also
known as bromochlorodifluoromethane.
[[Page 494]]
(24) Halon 1301 means a colorless, odorless, electrically
nonconductive gas (chemical formula CBrF<INF>3</INF>) which is a medium
for extinguishing fires by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of
fuel and oxygen. It is also known as bromotrifluoromethane.
(25) Helmet is a head protective device consisting of a rigid shell,
energy absorption system, and chin strap intended to be worn to provide
protection for the head or portions thereof, against impact, flying or
falling objects, electric shock, penetration, heat and flame.
(26) 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.
(27) Inspection means a visual check of fire protection systems and
equipment to ensure that they are in place, charged, and ready for use
in the event of a fire.
(28) Interior structural fire fighting means the physical activity
of fire suppression, rescue or both, inside of buildings or enclosed
structures which are involved in a fire situation beyond the incipient
stage.
(29) Lining means a material permanently attached to the inside of
the outer shell of a garment for the purpose of thermal protection and
padding.
(30) Local application system means a fixed fire suppression system
which has a supply of extinguishing agent, with nozzles arranged to
automatically discharge extinguishing agent directly on the burning
material to extinguish or control a fire.
(31) Maintenance means the performance of services on fire
protection equipment and systems to assure that they will perform as
expected in the event of a fire. Maintenance differs from inspection in
that maintenance requires the checking of internal fittings, devices and
agent supplies.
(32) Multipurpose dry chemical means a dry chemical which is
approved for use on Class A, Class B and Class C fires.
(33) Outer shell is the exterior layer of material on the fire coat
and protective trousers which forms the outermost barrier between the
fire fighter and the environment. It is attached to the vapor barrier
and liner and is usually constructed with a storm flap, suitable
closures, and pockets.
(34) Positive-pressure breathing apparatus means self-contained
breathing apparatus in which the pressure in the breathing zone is
positive in relation to the immediate environment during inhalation and
exhalation.
(35) Pre-discharge employee alarm means an alarm which will sound at
a set time prior to actual discharge of an extinguishing system so that
employees may evacuate the discharge area prior to system discharge.
(36) Quick disconnect valve means a device which starts the flow of
air by inserting of the hose (which leads from the facepiece) into the
regulator of self-contained breathing apparatus, and stops the flow of
air by disconnection of the hose from the regulator.
(37) Sprinkler alarm means an approved device installed so that any
waterflow from a sprinkler system equal to or greater than that from
single automatic sprinkler will result in an audible alarm signal on the
premises.
(38) Sprinkler system means a system of piping designed in
accordance with fire protection engineering standards and installed to
control or extinguish fires. The system includes an adequate and
reliable water supply, and a network of specially sized piping and
sprinklers which are interconnected. The system also includes a control
valve and a device for actuating an alarm when the system is in
operation.
(39) Standpipe systems. (i) Class I standpipe system means a 2\1/
2\<gr-thn-eq> (6.3 cm) hose connection for use by fire departments and
those trained in handling heavy fire streams.
(ii) Class II standpipe system means a 1\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> (3.8 cm)
hose system which provides a means for the control or extinguishment of
incipient stage fires.
(iii) Class III standpipe system means a combined system of hose
which is for the use of employees trained in the use of hose operations
and which is capable of furnishing effective water discharge during the
more advanced stages of fire (beyond the incipient stage) in the
interior of workplaces. Hose outlets are
[[Page 495]]
available for both 1\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> (3.8 cm) and 2\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> (6.3
cm) hose.
(iv) Small hose system means a system of hose ranging in diameter
from \5/8\<gr-thn-eq> (1.6 cm up to 1\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> (3.8 cm) which is
for the use of employees and which provides a means for the control and
extinguishment of incipient stage fires.
(40) Total flooding system means a fixed suppression system which is
arranged to automatically discharge a predetermined concentration of
agent into an enclosed space for the purpose of fire extinguishment or
control.
(41) Training means the process of making proficient through
instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment,
including respiratory protection equipment, that is expected to be used
and in the performance of assigned duties.
(42) Vapor barrier means that material used to prevent or
substantially inhibit the transfer of water, corrosive liquids and steam
or other hot vapors from the outside of a garment to the wearer's body.
[45 FR 60704, Sept. 12, 1980, as amended at 53 FR 12122, Apr. 12, 1988]
