[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: 29CFR1910.164]

[Page 506-507]
 
                             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. 1910.164  Fire detection systems.


    (a) Scope and application. This section applies to all automatic 

fire detection systems installed to meet the requirements of a 

particular OSHA standard.

    (b) Installation and restoration. (1) The employer shall assure that 

all devices and equipment constructed and installed to comply with this 

standard are approved for the purpose for which they are intended.

    (2) The employer shall restore all fire detection systems and 

components to normal operating condition as promptly as possible after 

each test or alarm. Spare detection devices and components which are 

normally destroyed in the process of detecting fires shall be available 

on the premises or from a local supplier in sufficient quantities and 

locations for prompt restoration of the system.

    (c) Maintenance and testing. (1) The employer shall maintain all 

systems in an operable condition except during repairs or maintenance.

    (2) The employer shall assure that fire detectors and fire detection 

systems are tested and adjusted as often as needed to maintain proper 

reliability and operating condition except that factory calibrated 

detectors need not be adjusted after installation.

    (3) The employer shall assure that pneumatic and hydraulic operated 

detection systems installed after January 1, 1981, are equipped with 

supervised systems.

    (4) The employer shall assure that the servicing, maintenance and 

testing of fire detection systems, including cleaning and necessary 

sensitivity adjustments are performed by a trained person knowledgeable 

in the operations and functions of the system.

    (5) The employer shall also assure that fire detectors that need to 

be cleaned of dirt, dust, or other particulates in order to be fully 

operational are cleaned at regular periodic intervals.

    (d) Protection of fire detectors. (1) The employer shall assure that 

fire detection equipment installed outdoors or in the presence of 

corrosive atmospheres be protected from corrosion. The employer shall 

provide a canopy, hood, or other suitable protection for detection 

equipment requiring protection from the weather.

    (2) The employer shall locate or otherwise protect detection 

equipment so that it is protected from mechanical or physical impact 

which might render it inoperable.

    (3) The employer shall assure that detectors are supported 

independently of their attachment to wires or tubing.

    (e) Response time. (1) The employer shall assure that fire detection 

systems



[[Page 507]]



installed for the purpose of actuating fire extinguishment or 

suppression systems shall be designed to operate in time to control or 

extinguish a fire.

    (2) The employer shall assure that fire detection systems installed 

for the purpose of employee alarm and evacuation be designed and 

installed to provide a warning for emergency action and safe escape of 

employees.

    (3) The employer shall not delay alarms or devices initiated by fire 

detector actuation for more than 30 seconds unless such delay is 

necessary for the immediate safety of employees. When such delay is 

necessary, it shall be addressed in an emergency action plan meeting the 

requirements of Sec. 1910.38.

    (f) Number, location and spacing of detecting devices. The employer 

shall assure that the number, spacing and location of fire detectors is 

based upon design data obtained from field experience, or tests, 

engineering surveys, the manufacturer's recommendations, or a recognized 

testing laboratory listing.



[45 FR 60713, Sept. 12, 1980]